Latest news with #DiriyahBiennaleFoundation
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 closes in Jeddah, cements role as global cultural platform
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That Is In Between, concluded on May 25, 2025, after a four-month run at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, affirming its position as a leading global platform for Islamic arts. Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Biennale brought together over 500 historical and contemporary works across five exhibition halls and expansive outdoor spaces spanning more than 100,000 square meters. With participation from 30 international institutions representing 21 countries, and featuring 29 new commissions, the event offered a rich exploration of Islamic culture through faith, time, and material heritage. One of the most notable highlights was the first-ever public display outside Makkah of the complete Kiswah, the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba, shown alongside rare sacred artifacts from Makkah and Madinah. The contemporary section, curated by Muhannad Shono, included standout works such as the AlMusalla Prize–winning structure by EAST Architecture Studio, made from palm fiber and partially featured in Venice as part of the Rooted Transience Biennale's closing symposium was marked by the announcement of several forward-looking initiatives by Rakan Altouq, Vice Chairman of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and Assistant Minister of Culture. These include grants for joint research, a digitization platform to archive the exhibition's works, and international conferences aimed at expanding knowledge-sharing on Islamic Biennale also had a significant community and educational impact, with over 23,110 students visiting and more than 15,000 participants engaging in 446 public programs, including guided tours, symposia, and hands-on workshops. Notable cultural initiatives included Turuq, a culinary and cultural exploration of movement and trade, and MADE., a design forum connecting global creatives with Islamic Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, praised the collaborative spirit behind the Biennale's success. 'The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale has surpassed expectations in its scale and impact. We are proud to have welcomed a broad and diverse audience, from local schoolchildren to international scholars.'
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Ithra makes its mark at inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh in KSA
As Saudi Arabia asserts itself as a global hub for contemporary design, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) showcased its impact on the Saudi creative ecosystem at the inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh, until May 23. From being a key voice in one of the fair's most thought-provoking panels to delivering the fair's only hands-on workshops, Ithra spotlighted the power of design to foster creativity, community and cross-cultural exchange. Three Ithra-backed installations were put on view. They were developed through Tanween, Ithra's flagship annual design event and included Adeem, a sculptural work reflecting on memory and materiality; IWAN Pavilion, an architectural structure rooted in Islamic design principles; and Open Segments, a modular exploration of space, movement, and reuse. Previously exhibited in Milan Design Week, Concentrico International Festival of Architecture and Design in Spain and Dubai Design Week, the works were shown in Riyadh to engage new audiences and spark fresh dialogue in the local design scene. In the workshops, Ithra offered sessions in silkscreen printing, sustainable packaging, and modular folding. Open to all ages and backgrounds, they invited participants to experiment with technique and explore design as a tool for creative problem-solving, reflecting Ithra's engagement-led approach to inspiring creativity. The workshops also offered participants opportunities to experiment with technique, explore form, and consider the role of design in addressing contemporary challenges. King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). As part of the public programme, Ithra's Head of Creativity & Innovation, Sultan Albadran, took part in a panel titled 'Fostering Community in a Fast-Forward Market'. Joined by representatives from the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Saudi Artisanal Company and Iwan Maktabi, Albadran discussed Ithra's role in strengthening the design community in Saudi Arabia. The session explored the importance of building a vibrant design community and emphasised the role of creative education, mentorship, institutional support and cross-sector collaboration, in empowering emerging designers as they shape the Kingdom's design landscape. Albadran touched upon Ithra's ongoing efforts to create opportunities for designers to push their creative boundaries, engage across disciplines, and explore new forms of expression. He spoke of the contributions made through Ithra's programmes such as Tanween, Ithra's annual flagship design event, which, he said, have created spaces where experimentation is not only encouraged, but translated into real-world outcomes. Some of the results were on view for audiences to experience at Downtown Design Riyadh, in the form of the three installations, each piece exploring the potential of design to bridge references from Saudi material culture with globally resonant ideas in spatial and product design. Reflecting on the fair, Albadran said: 'Ithra is honoured to contribute to the inaugural edition of Downtown Design Riyadh, a historic milestone in the Kingdom's emergence as a global cultural hub. Our participation reflects Ithra's role within this thriving ecosystem, nurturing creativity and offering meaningful opportunities for designers to engage with global audiences.' Albadran has been working in the culture and arts industry for more than 10 years, and was named an ambassador for the King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism. He is a member of the Al Khobar Art Committee and the Saudi Society for Urban Sciences. Panelists at the panel discussion. He has contributed to developing the strategy of Ithra's Idea Lab and the Tanween creativity conference and has represented the Center at many local and regional events. Albadran has been selected as a trainer, creative arbitrator, jury member and developer of programmes such as the F1 in Schools national competition, hosted annually at Ithra. As the Saudi debut of the Middle East's leading contemporary design fair, Downtown Design Riyadh provided the ideal setting for Ithra to showcase its efforts towards building a rich creative ecosystem, with design serving as a medium for meaningful storytelling, material exploration, and dialogue across sectors and borders. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is a leading cultural destination located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It focuses on enriching people's lives by offering impactful cultural and creative programmes and initiatives. Since its opening in 2018, it has become a distinguished architectural landmark which houses the Idea Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children's Museum and Knowledge Tower. Tanween is Ithra's annual flagship design event, dedicated to motivating and inspiring a new generation of innovators. Through an industry-focused roster of workshops, courses, and a design competition, it offers professionals and enthusiasts, opportunities to network, discuss, and collaborate. It is a key pillar that cements Ithra's position as a beacon of culture that nurtures creativity and promotes cross-cultural exchange. Downtown Design Riyadh (May 20 — 23) at JAX District, marked the debut of Saudi Arabia's first fair dedicated to contemporary and quality design. Held in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture, it brought together a curated selection of international brands, regional studios, and emerging creative talent, reflecting the Kingdom's growing position in the global design landscape. The fair was complemented by a collateral programme, including creative installations, engaging activations and pop-up experiences, alongside a line-up of talks tailored to the local context and burgeoning design scene, catering to a high-calibre audience, from industry professionals and developers to local homeowners and design enthusiasts, looking to discover, buy or commission. JAX District has successfully transformed the industrial heritage site in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, into a vibrant hub for artists and creatives. What was once known for unique mud-brick architecture, has now been reborn as the creative hub of the Saudi capital, beckoning talents to showcase their work. Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Key reflections as Jeddah's Islamic Arts Biennale comes to a close
JEDDAH: As the second Islamic Arts Biennale prepares for its finale on May 25, Donya Abdulhadi, the executive director of marketing and communications at the Diriyah Biennale Foundation says its true achievement lies not only in visitor numbers, but in the cultural and educational legacy it continues to build. 'The Islamic Arts Biennale was ranked as one of the most highly visited biennales in 2023, but it is the cultural impact, influence and legacy of our work that matters the most to us,' she told Arab News The foundation — which oversees the Islamic Arts Biennale, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, and JAX District — alternates annually between its two flagship biennales: the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, held in Riyadh's JAX District, and the Islamic Arts Biennale, staged at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah. Launched in 2023, the Islamic Arts Biennale is the first biennale in the world dedicated to Islamic arts. The debut Islamic Arts Biennale welcomed over 600,000 visitors, while the second edition of the Contemporary Art Biennale saw more than double the attendance of its first iteration and a 600 percent increase in digital engagement, according to organizers. Abdulhadi explained that the foundation measures success through cultural impact. 'We assess our impact through several factors, including our success in nurturing creative expression and lifelong learning,' she said. The foundation has seen a significant rise in institutional collaboration, too. Since the launch of its biennales, the number of partner institutions lending cultural and historical works has tripled. In turn, the number of total loans to exhibitions has nearly doubled. Among the highlights of this iteration was the unprecedented display of rare objects such as items from the Vatican Apostolic Libraries shown alongside the Kiswah, the covering that adorns the Kaaba in Makkah. Between editions, the foundation remains active through initiatives such as 'PlayBack,' a digital audio archive of past programming, and 'PaperBack,' Saudi Arabia's first art book fair, which welcomed more than 10,000 visitors last year. 'Supporting generations of artists and creatives remains one of the most important ways in which we deliver cultural impact as a foundation,' she continued. 'Our Biennales and the JAX District act as springboards for Saudi and international artists to be invited to the world's most prestigious stages, but also as platforms for artists to evolve their own roles as creatives,' she concluded.
Arab News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
First MADE. design forum in Jeddah gave ‘equal weight to the mind and the hand,' says organizer
JEDDAH: The inaugural MADE. design forum was held at the West Hajj Terminal of Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport's Biennale Cultural Program building early this month. Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the four-day event concluded on May 4, with the second Islamic Arts Biennale — its backdrop — continuing until May 25. Sybel Vazquez, director of public programs at the Biennale, said of the forum: 'We wanted the name to be a declaration — and the capital letters give it weight. The full stop was to imply completion, intention and confidence. We wanted to honor the act of making as something deliberate and considered while also inviting inquiry.' She also emphasized the significance of launching MADE. in Jeddah. 'Jeddah is a city layered with histories—of trade, migration, craftsmanship and exchange,' she told Arab News. 'To launch MADE., alongside the Islamic Arts Biennale, is to situate design within a continuum of cultural production that is both deeply rooted and forward-looking.' She added: 'This proximity creates an exciting dialogue: between contemporary makers and the material legacy of Islamic art, between local sensibilities and global conversations.' Twenty designers from across the world participated in the forum: Josean Vilar and Silvana Catazine of Barcelona-based NAIFACTORY; Lebanon- and UAE-based Roula Salamoun Studio; Stephanie Sayar and Charbel Garibeh, whose eponymous practice is based between Beirut and Paris; Bahrain's Nermin Habib; US-based Jordanian Ishraq Zraikat; Egyptian designer Salma Barakat, representing Ba Atelier; Doha-based Boo Design Studio—founded by husband-and-wife Amanda and Jo Booabbood; New York-based Argentinian Sabrina Merayo Nunez; India-based ceramicist Aman Khanna, founder of Clayman; Pinar Ozoruc of Istanbul-based Pinoli Glass; Lebanese-Polish designer and architect Tara Sakhi; UK-based Phoebe Stubbs, representing her brand, Gather; Paris-based Ariel Andre, founder of Golem; NY-based furniture brand Alexis & Ginger; Kind of Design Sculpted & Woven from Türkiye; VivErdie from the Netherlands; Pauline Leprince from France; Jordan-based Razan Seikaly's Fastoun; and Riyadh- and Istanbul-based Palestinian furniture design duo Reem Olyan and Jumana Qasem. Saudi's own Noha Mukhtar added a local architectural perspective to the work on display. The forum championed a morphing design landscape — a convergence of creativity, craftsmanship and critical thought. MADE. was both a destination for acquiring thoughtfully-crafted objects and a platform celebrating the design industry, offering a lively space where art, engineering and craft intersected. It also offered both exposure to and exchange with peers, audiences, and the broader currents shaping global design. 'We hope to have accomplished that with this inaugural edition,' Vazquez said, adding that MADE. was intended to 'give equal weight to the mind and the hand.' The four panel sessions — MADE to Last, MADE you Look, MADE you Think, UnMADE Histories, and What Are You MADE Of? — offered layered, critical conversations around tradition, ethics, memory and identity. Meanwhile, immersive workshops encouraged participants to get their hands dirty and their imaginations active. Each activation, in its own way, opened new paths for thinking and doing. 'The success of these sessions reminded us that design isn't just something to observe or critique — it's something to try, to feel, to shape,' Vazquez said. 'MADE. was born from a desire to celebrate the act of making — not just as a technical skill, but as a cultural gesture,' she continued. 'It brings to the surface the rigor, experimentation, and local intelligence embedded in design practices across our region and beyond. At the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, we are committed to expanding the contours of contemporary cultural discourse. MADE. adds a vital dimension to that endeavor by focusing on design as both a process and a way of thinking — bridging material innovation, ethical inquiry and heritage.'
Campaign ME
13-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Athar Festival 2025 extends final deadline for content
Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity has extended the final deadline for its speakers applications, now accepting submissions until 23 May 2025. The festival, which returns for its third edition from 21–22 October 2025 at JAX District – Diriyah Biennale Foundation in Riyadh, invites local and international voices from across the creative marketing industry to take the stage. Proposals can be submitted via the festival's website. Presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, Athar Festival 2025 is set to build on the momentum of previous editions with a larger venue, broader content streams, and a sharpened focus on global collaboration. This year's edition is expected to host more than 3,000 attendees from across the marketing, advertising, media and communications industries – spanning brands, agencies, creative professionals and students. Positioned as a platform to showcase Saudi Arabia's emergence as a regional and global creative force, Athar Festival 2025 will feature more than 150 speakers, more than 80 brand activations, and expanded programming across three content stages. The event also introduces new additions aimed at enriching the attendee experience, including an all-new Talent Hub for emerging professionals, a dedicated startup exhibition space, and longer festival hours from 10 AM to 10 PM each day. 'As Saudi Arabia continues to push the boundaries of creative excellence in alignment with Vision 2030, Athar Festival remains a vital force in shaping the industry's future,' said Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group. 'This year, we are expanding our global reach with international trade delegations and industry leaders. By connecting Saudi Arabia's creative industry with more markets, the festival will not only showcase the Kingdom as a talent hub but also create new pathways for collaboration and investment in the region's growing creative economy.' Building on the success of the 2024 edition, which drew more than 1,700 attendees, the 2025 festival will introduce four new content streams under its expanded format. The Creative Impact stream will focus on brand storytelling, advertising and marketing. Future Forward will address AI, machine learning, and data-driven marketing, while Screen & Influence will explore media distribution, influencer marketing, and content creation from an advertising lens. Luxury & Lifestyle will delve into marketing strategies across fashion, travel, hospitality and premium experiences. Mohamed Al Ayed, Vice Chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, said: 'Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as the region's leader in creative communications – essential for any future-ready nation. Athar Festival plays a pivotal role in shaping the industry by driving innovation, talent development and strategic collaborations. The 2025 edition, featuring new initiatives like the Talent Hub and a dedicated startup exhibition space, offers an unparalleled platform to challenge creative boundaries, celebrate creative excellence, and catalyse the Kingdom's creative economy.' In addition to the main conference agenda, the festival will also expand the Athar Awards, now aligned with the four newly introduced content streams. The awards will span two days: the first dedicated to celebrating individual and team excellence in Saudi Arabia, and the second recognising standout campaigns within the Kingdom's marketing and communications sector. The festival's agenda will include keynote sessions, workshops, immersive activations and curated networking opportunities. International trade delegations are also expected to participate, further integrating the Saudi creative economy with global players and partners. For more information or to submit a speaker proposal for Athar, visit
