The growing success and reputation of the Diriyah Biennale
The Diriyah Biennale has emerged as a jewel in the crown of the thriving Saudi cultural scene - a contemporary arts festival that showcases both local and international artists, featuring exhibitions, installations, performances, and workshops, providing a platform for artists to connect and share their creative works with the world.
The Saudi Biennale aims to promote cultural exchange and encourage artistic expression and is recognised as one of the most important cultural events in the Middle East, attracting visitors and artists from around the world.
Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024 Edition: After Rain
The second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, titled ”After Rain”, opened to the public on February 20 and runs through May 24, 2024. Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, After Rain is led by Artistic Director Ute Meta Bauer and takes place in the JAX District, a creative district with industrial heritage in the historic town of Diriyah. Featuring work by artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world, the exhibition explores the role of a contemporary art biennial in a country that is undergoing rapid social change.
After Rain features 177 works from 100 artists and artist groups, including over 30 from the wider Gulf region. The Biennale also features 47 new commissions from artists including Jumana Emil Abboud, Sara Abdu, Mohammad AlFaraj, Azra Akšamija, Tarek Atoui, Rachaporn Choochuey, Vikram Divecha, Christine Fenzl, Anne Holtrop, Armin Linke & Ahmed Mater, NJOKOBOK (Youssou Diop and Apolonija Šušteršič), and Camille Zakharia. The exhibition occupies six expansive halls across 12,900 square metres and also extends into adjacent courtyards and terraces, turning these areas into works of art and social spaces.
The Biennal Foundation describes itself as “a catalyst for discovery, and serves Saudi Arabia’s communities by offering opportunities to engage with the burgeoning local art scene”.
Biennale Highlights
Running across three months, there is seemingly endless opportunity to immerse yourself in the vast programme of events and exhibitions at Diriyah Biennale. Here are just some of the highlights still to come that MCC is particularly looking forward to.
WASTE TO TREASURE: UPCYCLED ART WORKSHOP (March 22nd)
Presented by Saut: The Voice of Down Syndrome Society, this workshop is designed for special needs children and other young people aged 7-15, teaching them to get resourceful with discarded materials. They'll use recycled plastic, paper, and a whole array of materials to create their very own masterpieces, lending a whole new meaning to the term "one man's trash is another man's treasure."
COLOR AND CULTURAL DESIGN: TRADITIONS AND TONES (March 25th)
Interior design expert Nawaf Al-Nassar explores how color can transform your living space in this 2 hour workshop.
Nawaf will delve into the psychology of color, exploring how shades and tones reflect our emotions, perceptions, and cultural identities. Together, you'll analyze the symbiotic relationship between colors, fabrics, and spatial arrangements in creating cohesive living spaces. You'll come out of this with enough knowledge to completely overhaul your living space with an approach that is equal parts science, art, and data-backed.
Nawaf Al-Nassar is an interior architect and founder of 3njeddah, and is a member of the Saudi Art Council and the Barakat Trust.
BRANDED: VISUAL STORYTELLING FOR BUSINESSES (March 27th)
Designed especially for Marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, and art enthusiasts, attendees can dive into the synergy of marketing and art with a captivating panel discussion. This interactive session unveils the secrets of successful branding, digital promotion, and lead conversion, all through an art-focused lens.
Insights from the panel’s extensive marketing backgrounds and the sharing of innovative digital marketing strategies, emphasizing design's role in engaging audiences. Together, the panel will guide you through leveraging social media, crafting visual stories, and implementing effective digital campaigns. You'll learn hands-on strategies for enhancing brand awareness, driving conversions, and mastering customer relationships in the digital sphere.
BECOMING AN ART COLLECTOR (March 29th)
Dr. Ridha Moumni, Deputy Chairman of Christie's Middle East & North Africa, will discuss the intricacies of collecting Middle Eastern art with esteemed collector Dr. Basel Dalloul, drawing upon their personal and professional experiences in building and curating collections.
Dr. Ridha Moumni is an art and archaeology historian, currently Deputy Chair of Middle East and North Africa at Christie’s. He earned his PhD at Sorbonne University on Roman art, and was the first Tunisian fellow at the French Academy in Rome, the Villa Medici. Moumni has an academic and professional specialization in antiquity, early and modern art.
The discussion will be followed by a tour showcasing highlights of the Biennale.
DID YOU KNOW?
MCC can help you with booking these events and can support on information and access to the Biennale and many other cultural events in Saudi and around the world. Contact the bookings team for more information.
For more information on the wider Biennale programme, you can see the full list of events here
