Latest news with #VeniceBiennaleofArchitecture2025
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.
Observer
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Oman participates in 19 Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025
Venice: The Sultanate of Oman's pavilion at the 19th Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025 was opened on Thursday. The Omani pavilion is titled 'Athar' and themed "Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Architecture". The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Nizar Al Julanda al Said, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Italian Republic. Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture (Commissioner General of the Sultanate of Oman pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025), said in a speech at the opening ceremony that the Sultanate of Oman's participation in the event provides an opportunity to showcase the features of the Omani architectural identity, rooted in authenticity and open to the concepts of modernisation, sustainability and innovation. 'It is not just a design participation, but rather an integrated experience that portrays the life of the Omani society, through narrative and visual concepts blended with architectural creativity,' Sayyyid Said explained. He pointed out that this will be Oman's first participation in the architectural extravaganza and, accordingly, it constitutes a milestone in our cultural and architectural presence in the international arena. 'We have sought to make our presence a true expression of the spirit of the Omani land, incarnating the country's deep connection to nature, its adherence to authentic values and its aspirations for a future based on respect and renewed vision,' Sayyid Said added. 'The overall vision of our participation in the event is based on the 'Omani sabla', a typical manifestation of space for communication, decision-making, and dialogue,' Sayyid Said explained. (Sabla is a traditional social gathering place for Omani citizens during social occasions) The Omani sabla, he added, constitutes a fundamental pillar of social life and an inspiring model for present and future architecture. The Omani pavilion was curated by architect Majida Al Hanai, who crafted a design experience that blends Omani craftsmanship, spatial narrative and material innovation, much in line with the Biennale's theme of "Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Architecture." By reimagining the sabla within a contemporary architectural vision, the pavilion highlights the role of the sabla as an adaptable model that connects past and present, reflecting authentic Omani values of hospitality, dialogue, and community spirit. Oman's pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale will be open throughout of the Biennale's period from May 10 to November 23, 2025.
