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Saudi Gazette
5 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.'
The National
26-02-2025
- The National
Saudi Arabia's Islamic Arts Biennale: A celebration of faith and culture
Lifestyle Travel Hundreds of religious objects are on display side by side with contemporary art pieces at the cultural event The world's only biennale dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilisation is taking place in Jeddah, with hundreds of striking artworks and artefacts on display at Saudi Arabia 's second Islamic Arts Biennale. The event is running until May 25 at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport. It's a significant location as the city, which is known as the gateway to Makkah, the birthplace of Islam, has been welcoming Muslim pilgrims for centuries. While more than 600,000 visitors attended the inaugural event in 2023, this iteration promises to be even bigger, with more than 500 pieces, both historical and contemporary, being showcased. This includes a Kiswah, the drape used to cover the Kaaba, the sacred stone building at the centre of Islam's most important mosque, the Grand Mosque in Makkah. This marks the first time one has been displayed in its entirety outside of Makkah. There are also works by the first recorded photographer to capture images of Makkah and the biennale will present the first documentary on the Hajj. Striking contemporary site-specific commissions by some of the genre's leading modern artists are also dotted around the vast site, which comprises various galleries and outdoor spaces across 10 hectares. This event, which has fast become a must-attend on the global art schedule, celebrates artistic creation as an act of devotion, while offering an overview of Islam's cultural influence. This page was produced by The National in partnership with Saudi Tourism Authority.
Leaders
14-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
KACST Grants 2 Licenses for Modular Construction, Carbon Nanotube Commercialization
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced, as part of the Public Investment Fund and Private Sector Forum, the granting of two technology licenses to Al-Seif Engineers & Contractors for the commercialization of modular construction technologies and carbon nanotube technologies. Granting these technology licenses aligns with KACST's role as a national lab and innovation hub, turning R&D projects into marketable products, boosting innovation, expanding deep tech applications, advancing technologies. This also enhances local content to add value to national industries. The technology licenses for the 'Modular Construction Technologies' and 'Carbon Nanotube Technologies' projects support the Kingdom's Vision goals for the development of the construction sector through innovations in building materials, advanced construction technologies such as robotics and automation systems, and green buildings, which aim to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability in research support. Related Topics : KACST Signs Promising Partnerships with Prestigious Mining Entities KAUST Drives Groundbreaking Research on Decarbonizing Cement Production SEC, KAUST Launch Pioneering Carbon Capture Research Project at Rabigh Aramco Partners with Gulf Cryo to Test Lower-Carbon Hydrogen Technologies Corporate Climate Watchdog Document Deems Carbon Offsets Largely Ineffective- Reuters Take a Look: First Public Display of Holy Kaaba's Kiswah outside Mecca Short link : Post Views: 23 Related Stories
Leaders
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Take a Look: First Public Display of Holy Kaaba's Kiswah outside Mecca
Saudi Arabia's Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 is hosting a vast array of events this week celebrating the first public display of the whole Kiswah outside the Holy Kaaba. Currently, visitors have an unmissable opportunity to take a close look at the Kiswah and admire its intricate weaving and embroidery, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Kiswah is a cloth made with silk, gold, and silver thread to adorn the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Holy Kaaba's Kiswah Set to run until May 25 at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the second edition of the biennale seeks to celebrate Islamic craftsmanship and boost understanding of Islamic cultural heritage. Hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the event aligns with the foundation's objective to shed light on Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in passionately serving Islam and Muslims over the decades. Holy Kaaba's Kiswah Commenting on the occasion, the foundation stated that the Kiswah, with its distinctive inscriptions and ornamentations, represents 'the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts.' Moreover, it holds special significance in the lives of Muslims worldwide. Holy Kaaba's Kiswah The King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa has been producing exceptional decorative embroidered clothes for the Holy Kaaba, since 1927. Crucially, the complex replaces it annually. Related Topics: Photos: Holy Kaaba Adorned with New Kiswa Saudi Crown Prince Washes Holy Kaaba on Behalf of King Salman Rare Marble Adorns Holy Kaaba's Shadwan Short link : Post Views: 35
Arab News
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Holy Kaaba's Kiswah on display in Jeddah
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 featured a series of events this week to celebrate the first public display outside Makkah of the whole Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba. The exhibition allows visitors to admire the intricate weaving and embroidery of the Kiswah, a cloth that adorns the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, made with silk, gold, and silver thread. The second edition of the biennale is being held at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah until May 25. It is hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, which aims to showcase Islamic craftsmanship and enhance understanding of Islamic cultural legacy. The foundation said that the Kiswah of the Holy Kaaba, with its distinctive inscriptions and ornamentations, is 'considered the highest form of creative production in Islamic arts,' and holds significance in the lives of Muslims worldwide. The exhibition highlights Saudi Arabia's key role in serving Islam and Muslims over the decades. Since 1927, the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa has been producing decorative embroidered clothes for the Holy Kaaba, which is replaced annually. Alongside the Kiswah, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 will display an array of historical Islamic artifacts and contemporary artworks.
