Latest news with #SchiattarellaAssociati
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.
Saudi Gazette
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
‘The Light Footprint': Diriyah Art Futures opens Venice exhibition with Schiattarella Associati
VENICE — Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) inaugurated its debut international exhibition The Light Footprint today in collaboration with Italian architecture studio Schiattarella Associati. Coinciding with the opening of the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025, the exhibition runs through June 15 at the Querini Stampalia Foundation in Venice and highlights the architectural vision for DAF's upcoming headquarters in Riyadh. Curated by Marta Francocci, The Light Footprint presents a comprehensive selection of architectural models, sketches, videos, drawings, photographs, and archival materials that document the design and development process of the DAF complex. The exhibition celebrates the integration of tradition, technology, and sustainability in the creation of a future-facing cultural institution. The opening was attended by Mona Khazindar, Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Culture; Haytham Nawar, Director of Diriyah Art Futures; and Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella, Principal Architects of Schiattarella Associati, who joined a guided tour of the exhibition led by the curator. The event offered an in-depth look at the conceptual and architectural approach behind the by Schiattarella Associati, the DAF headquarters is carved into the escarpment of Diriyah and reflects Najdi architectural traditions, employing local materials and a design philosophy rooted in sustainability and cultural 6,550-square-metre facility will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure to support artistic research, technological exploration, and interdisciplinary education.'We are pleased to present our vision for Diriyah Art Futures alongside the prestigious Venice Biennale,' said Mona Khazindar.'This pioneering project exemplifies Saudi Arabia's commitment to building globally relevant cultural institutions that nurture bold creativity while remaining deeply rooted in our heritage.'Amedeo and Andrea Schiattarella commented: 'Our work begins with the belief that architecture must resist the global flattening of cultural identity. With Diriyah Art Futures, we aimed to create a structure that is not imposed upon the land, but one that emerges from it — a balance of geometry and unpredictability, tradition and innovation.'Elements of The Light Footprint are also featured in the Biennale's main collective exhibition, Intelligens Naturale, Artificiale, curated by Carlo Ratti and hosted at the Arsenale.
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.
