Latest news with #MonaKhazindar
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait strengthen museum relations
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Museums Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait on Wednesday. The agreement aims to strengthen cultural cooperation and the exchange of expertise in the fields of museums and exhibitions. It aims to strengthen the broader cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, helping to promote mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue between the two countries. Mona Khazindar, adviser to the Saudi Ministry of Culture and representative of the Museums Commission, signed the memorandum alongside Ziad Tareq Rajab, director of the Tareq Rajab Museum. The document outlines areas of cultural cooperation and mutual interest for both parties. Key areas of cooperation include the exchange of research, the loan of objects and the organization of temporary exhibitions, with the aim of enriching the cultural content and enhancing the value of both collections. The memorandum also establishes a joint working group to implement these areas of cooperation and facilitate the exchange of knowledge. Khazindar said that the memorandum reflected the Museums Commission's commitment to forming strategic partnerships with long-established private museums in the Arab region. She underlined the importance of the Tareq Rajab Museum as a leading institution dedicated to Islamic art and heritage, adding that the collaboration would support cultural and knowledge-exchange initiatives across the museum sector.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Museums Commission, Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait Seek to Strengthen Cultural Cooperation
The Saudi Museums Commission and the Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cultural cooperation and exchange expertise in the fields of museums, exhibitions, and specialized scientific content related to Islamic heritage. The agreement is part of ongoing efforts to deepen cultural relations between the Kingdom and Kuwait. The MoU was signed in Riyadh by Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Culture Mona Khazindar and Director of the Tareq Rajab Museum Ziad Tareq Rajab. It outlines several areas of joint cooperation, including the exchange of research and scientific publications, the potential lending of artifacts from the Tareq Rajab Museum to regional museums affiliated with the Commission, and the exchange of temporary exhibitions to enrich cultural offerings and enhance the value of museum collections in both countries. The agreement also provides for the formation of a joint working group of specialists to activate the agreed areas of cooperation and to develop implementation plans for the exchange of knowledge and documentation in support of this partnership. Khazindar stressed that the signing of the memorandum reflects the Museums Commission's commitment to establishing strategic partnerships with long-standing private museums in the Arab region. She highlighted the significance of the Tareq Rajab Museum as one of the leading institutions dedicated to Islamic art and heritage, saying the new collaboration will support cultural and knowledge exchange initiatives across the museum sector. Rajab expressed his pride in the partnership, affirming that it marks an important step toward connecting museum experiences across the Gulf and strengthening the presence of Islamic heritage in specialized exhibitions. The memorandum is part of the Museums Commission's ongoing efforts to enhance the Kingdom's cultural presence and strengthen regional partnerships in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Arab News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Diriyah Art Futures' architectural innovation on show at Venice exhibition
The MENA region's first new media arts hub, Diriyah Art Futures, inaugurated 'The Light Footprint,' an exhibition in collaboration with Italian architecture studio Schiattarella Associati. The exhibition, which runs until June 15, coincides with the opening of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025 and explores the architectural development of DAF's groundbreaking headquarters in Riyadh. Curated by Marta Francocci, 'The Light Footprint' is hosted at Venice's prestigious Querini Stampalia Foundation and presents architectural models, sketches, videos, drawings, photographs and archival objects, to highlight the development process of DAF's remarkable headquarters. The opening event brought together Mona Khazindar, adviser to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture; Haytham Nawar, director of DAF; and Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella, principal architects of Schiattarella Associati, for a guided curator-led tour of the exhibition, highlighting the building's architectural and conceptual vision. Designed by Schiattarella Associati, the DAF hub sets a new benchmark for developing technologically advanced cultural landmarks, which integrate historical context with forward-thinking architectural design. Carved into the escarpment of Diriyah, the design draws on Najdi traditions, local materials, and a philosophy that prioritizes sustainability, cultural resonance, and human connection. Developed by the Saudi Museums Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, DAF is an arts, research and education hub driven by a belief in the power of interdisciplinary creative practice at the intersection of science and technology. DAF's 6,550-square-meter hub is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, symbolizing Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop forward-looking institutions, with strong roots in the nation's unique cultural heritage. Khazindar said: 'We are pleased to present our vision for Diriyah Art Futures alongside the prestigious launch of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025. This pioneering project embodies our efforts to develop forward-looking cultural institutions, which foster bold experimentation and new forms of creative expression, rooted in our distinct heritage. Through projects like Diriyah Art Futures, we are establishing new benchmarks for contemporary cultural institutions, while transforming the Kingdom into a leading global capital for cultural exchange.' In a statement, Amedeo and Andrea said: 'Our work begins with the belief that architecture must resist the global flattening of cultural identity by embracing the uniqueness of place. With Diriyah Art Futures, we sought to create something deeply rooted in the local context, which draws on natural materials, historical continuity, and the values of the Najdi tradition to build a contemporary language tied to its environment. Rather than imposing form, we envisioned a complex that harmonizes with the land, placing nature, humanity, and cultural distinctiveness at the center. Through a balance of geometry and unpredictability, we embrace contradiction as a vital, life-giving force in the architectural process.' The contents of 'The Light Footprint' exhibition are also featured as part of the collective exhibition 'Intelligens Naturale, Artificiale,' curated by Carlo Ratti at Arsenale, part of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025.
Asharq Al-Awsat
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Diriyah Art Futures, Schiattarella Associati Inaugurate 'The Light Footprint' Exhibition in Venice
The Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the MENA region's first New Media Arts hub, inaugurated on Thursday "The Light Footprint," an exhibition in collaboration with Italian architecture studio Schiattarella Associati. The exhibition's launch, which runs until June 15, coincides with the opening of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025 and explores the architectural development of DAF's groundbreaking headquarters in Riyadh, said DAF in a statement. The Light Footprint exhibition is hosted at Venice's Querini Stampalia Foundation and presents architectural models, sketches, videos, drawings, photographs, and archival objects to highlight the development process of DAF's remarkable headquarters. The opening event brought together Advisor to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture Mona Khazindar, Director of DAF Haytham Nawar, and Principal Architects of Schiattarella Associati Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella for a guided curator-led tour of the exhibition, highlighting the building's architectural and conceptual vision. Designed by Schiattarella Associati, the DAF hub sets a new benchmark for developing technologically advanced cultural landmarks that integrate historical context with forward-thinking architectural design. Carved into the escarpment of Diriyah, the design draws on Najdi traditions, local materials, and a philosophy that prioritizes sustainability, cultural resonance, and human connection. Khazindar stated: "We are pleased to present our vision for Diriyah Art Futures alongside the launch of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025. This project embodies our efforts to develop forward-looking cultural institutions that foster bold experimentation and new forms of creative expression rooted in our distinct heritage." "Through projects like Diriyah Art Futures, we are establishing new benchmarks for contemporary cultural institutions while transforming the Kingdom into a leading global capital for cultural exchange," she added. Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella said: "Our work begins with the belief that architecture must resist the global flattening of cultural identity by embracing the uniqueness of place. With Diriyah Art Futures, we sought to create something deeply rooted in the local context, which draws on natural materials, historical continuity, and the values of the Najdi tradition to build a contemporary language tied to its environment." Developed by the Museums Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, DAF is an arts, research, and education hub driven by a belief in the power of interdisciplinary creative practice at the intersection of science and technology. DAF's 6,550-square-meter hub is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, symbolizing Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop forward-looking institutions, with strong roots in the nation's unique cultural heritage.
Arab News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Spotlight on Saudi architecture at Venice Biennale panel
RIYADH: A discussion on Saudi architecture will be held on the sidelines of the Venice Biennale of Architecture on May 7. Diriyah Art Futures, or DAF, announced their collaboration with Italian architecture firm Schiattarella Associati to host a panel in Venice, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The panel, titled 'A New Era for Art in Saudi Arabia: Building Future Institutions and Pioneering Architectures,' will discuss the role of contemporary design and digital innovation in Saudi architecture. Speaking at the panel will be Mona Khazindar, adviser to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture; Haytham Nawar, director of Diriyah Art Futures; and Andrea and Amadeo Schiattarella, principal architects of Schiattarella Associati. The session will be moderated by acclaimed architect and art critic James Steele. The panel talk is part of 'Building of the Future,' an initiative highlighting leading global architectural projects that redefine contemporary design. The panel will be held in the Querini Stampalia Foundation, one of Venice's most prestigious cultural institutions. The event will bring together architects, cultural leaders, artists and media to engage in a dialogue about Saudi Arabia's evolving role in the international creative and architectural landscape. The foundation will also host an accompanying exhibition curated by Schiattarella Associati displaying models, sketches, videos, drawings, photographs and objects, inspired by the rocky escarpment of Diriyah's landscape. The exhibition, from May 7 to June 15, will showcase the Saudi Museums Commission's contributions to Riyadh's cultural development as part of Vision 2030. Developed by the Saudi Museums Commission in partnership with Diriyah Co., DAF contributes to the global new media and digital art landscape by integrating regional voices and pioneering practices in art, technology and innovation.
