Artists explore ‘Saudi Futurism’ at Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Riyadh
Updated 15 March 2024
Jasmine Bager
RIYADH: Visitors to the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Riyadh can ponder the concept of “Saudi Futurism” when walking through the new, semi-interactive, maze-like installation by physician-turned-artist Ahmed Mater in collaboration with Berlin-based photographer Armin Linke. The two men travelled across Saudi Arabia to document historical, industrial and scientific sites and presented their findings — mostly in photo form — to the audience in a visual statement on issues relating to infrastructure, agriculture, local resources, urbanism and landscape management.
“I was interested, some 12 years ago, to photograph the changes that were happening in Jeddah and around Makkah and understood that, for me, it would be too complicated, so I thought maybe it's much more interesting to turn it into a collaboration, as an artistic practice,” Linke told Arab News.
The artists depicted areas such as Riyadh, NEOM, Dhahran and Thuwal, among other locations. (Supplied)
Mater, well-known in the Kingdom and abroad, has been documenting the ever-changing landscape of Saudi Arabia and its people for years. This was a chance for Mater to capture the morphing spaces in the rapidly evolving country with a fellow photographer who was just as passionate about the craft, through a new set of eyes. The dynamic duo approached the project with a fresh perspective, transfixed on the future while keeping in mind that the series would be displayed in historic Diriyah, the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia.
“We decided to do the installation together and to visit specific places together. We did some pictures together; I went alone to some places, also Ahmed (Mater). Then we put the pictures together, like two jazz musicians, we improvised. And it comes to the point that sometimes we don't even know which is my picture or his picture. We were in sync,” Linke said with a laugh.
Armin Linke is a Berlin-based photographer. (Supplied)
Like jazz musicians, they used each other’s energy to build upon the visual worlds they decided to capture. Also, like fans of the musical genre, they trusted their audience to engage.
Some of the images were partially screen-printed on what appears to be reflective sheets, to playfully allow the viewer to be part of the art.
Ahmed Mater is a physician-turned-artist. (Supplied)
“We liked to play with this idea that when you look at the future, you also look at yourself — using silkscreen technology,” Linke added.
The artists depicted areas such as Riyadh, NEOM, Dhahran and Thuwal, among other locations.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is being held in the city’s JAX district and runs until May 24.
Event aimed to support up-and-coming artists in Eastern Province
Updated 02 February 2025
Hind AlKhunaizi
DAMMAM: A unique solfege singing workshop was held recently at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam, led by the talented Egyptian singer, music teacher, and oud player Mohamed Magdy.
A teacher at Altahtheeb School, Magdy brought his wealth of experience and passion for music to a diverse group eager to enhance their vocal skills and understanding of music theory.
Solfege, a method that uses syllables — such as do, re, and mi — to represent pitches, is crucial in developing a solid foundation in music education, according to Magdy.
He told Arab News: “The importance of solfege lies in its ability to enhance the understanding of music and improve vocal performance and sight-reading.
“Many struggle with musical notation, seeing it as impossible to learn. I aimed to create a workshop that provides a practical learning environment to help individuals develop their musical ear and confidence in singing and reading music.”
The workshop, designed to be interactive and hands-on, allowed participants to fully immerse themselves in the learning process.
Audience members displayed their talents individually, showcasing their skills in singing and performance. They practiced with each other and the workshop proved to be a supportive and collaborative environment in which everyone felt encouraged to explore their musical abilities.
Magdy added: “Solfege is vital in music education, assisting musicians of all levels in developing their auditory, reading, and performing skills.”
He listed its key benefits, including strengthening rhythm sensitivity, improving vocal performances, supporting composition, and serving musicians, from beginners to professionals.
Magdy’s passion for music is deeply rooted in his upbringing. “My love for singing started with my parents, who recognized my talent early on,” he said.
Under the guidance of his father, a doctor at the Arabic Music Institute, he pursued music wholeheartedly, graduating from Cairo University in 2016 and later from the Higher Institute of Arabic Music in 2022, with honors.
Despite initial hesitation from his family, they ultimately supported his artistic ambitions.
Magdy’s achievements include performances at renowned events such as the Arabic Music Festival at the Egyptian Opera House, alongside his roles in teaching solfege, piano, oud, and Eastern singing.
He said: “My passion for music has driven me to share it with others, providing immense joy.
“I chose to become a singing teacher to help others discover their potential, improve their performance, and build self-confidence in singing, whether as a hobby or professionally.”
The enthusiasm of those participating was evident, and the experience resonated deeply.
Audience member Samar Khadra, a pharmacist, singer, songwriter, and poet, expressed her thoughts on the workshop, telling Arab News: “It was a good experience. I enjoyed the interaction between the presenter and the participants.
“I’ve seen many talents in the Eastern Province, and it would benefit the government to support these individuals in gaining the musical knowledge necessary to become professional singers and musicians.”
Participants left the workshop with new skills, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation of the art of music.
Iconic works on show ahead of Sotheby’s auction in Riyadh
Updated 02 February 2025
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: On Feb. 8, Sotheby’s will host “Origins,” which it is billing as “the first international auction in Saudi Arabia’s history.” Key pieces from the auction are on display in the accompanying exhibition at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace that is free and open to the public.
Ashkan Baghestani — senior vice president and head of contemporary day sale, contemporary art, New York & Middle East — told Arab News of the importance of offering a diverse array of lots, from sculptures to paintings.
"In terms of fine art, I think it was important for us to show the wide breath of the fields we represent at Sotheby’s,” he said, adding “in the last three years, every time I have been coming I have been seeing more international artists and curators, events, integrated with Arab culture.”
René Magritte is famed for his intriguing images combining everyday objects in whimsical and thought-provoking contexts. “L’État de veille” belongs to a series of dreamlike gouaches featuring several emblematic motifs. (Sotheby's)
While curating the auction and exhibit, Baghestani sought to bring the "greatest Arab and Saudi artists to an international audience … don’t forget, we don’t only cater toward the local audience and Saudi audience … a lot of our clients are looking at the sale."
Baghestani also broke down the different types of auctions to be held: Online, day and evening sales.
"The evening sale auction is probably the highest caliber in terms of quality, featuring the most expensive, museum-quality, and rarest works. However, in terms of volume, it is usually the smallest."
“O' God, Honour Them and Do Not Honor an Enemy Over Them” by Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Saleem. (Sotheby's)
One of the pieces set to be auctioned is by Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Saleem (1939-1997), a key contributor to the evolution of the Kingdom’s art scene.
His painting, titled “O' God, Honour Them and Do Not Honor an Enemy Over Them” is inspired by the gradating skyline of Riyadh from the desert, with both the skyline and calligraphy blended into mosaic-like designs.
The auction will also include works from icons such as Rene Magritte and Andy Warhol, and regional art pioneers including Etel Adnan.
Multidisciplinary art residency captures spirit of Jeddah’s Al-Balad
Bait Shouaib Residency brings together diverse creatives to reflect on ‘movement’ in historic district
Updated 01 February 2025
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Athr Foundation’s Bait Shouaib Arts Residency in Al-Balad district brought together a filmmaker, curator and two artists, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration over an eight-week program.
The Moving Narratives cycle explored the theme of movement through diverse lenses and transformed the historic Bait Shouaib into an active participant in the creative process.
The exhibition, which was open last month as part of this year’s Islamic Arts Biennale, welcomed visitors to witness interpretations of Jeddah’s cultural and historical essence through contemporary art.
Hayfa Algwaiz created a site-specific mobile installation in Bait Shouaib’s stairwell, or minwar. (Supplied)
Residency director and senior program manager at Athr Foundation, Ibrahim Romman, highlighted the program’s impact and told Arab News: “Each resident’s exploration of ‘movement’ became an invitation to reflect on how stories, spaces and identities shift and intersect.
“Together, their work offered a richly layered response to the theme, presenting interdisciplinary perspectives that bridged the historical with the contemporary.”
Sudanese artist Rund Alarabi has created a poetic video installation bridging the cultural and architectural legacies of the port cities of Jeddah and Suakin, Sudan.
Vietnamese curator Nhat Q. Vo centered his project around Al-Shafi’i Mosque. (Supplied)
Her project delves into the undocumented and intangible aspects of collective memory. She told Arab News: “Living between Frankfurt, Khartoum and Jeddah has fed my practice with various materials and unraveled new ways of misunderstanding. This has led me to question what I consider to be given and rethink my understanding of global and local consensus.”
Featuring sensory elements such as soundscapes composed of everyday cooking utensils, her installation forges an intimate connection to cultural memory. “Sound and moving images act as vessels that challenge our understanding of reality. They highlight overlooked aspects of our existence by infiltrating beyond our preconceived assumptions,” she said.
Filmmaker Nada Al-Mojadedi drew inspiration from Hejazi folklore to craft an immersive narrative that seamlessly blends performance, textiles and moving images. Her dual-room installation transformed her studio into a theatrical set, inviting visitors to journey through time.
Sudanese artist Rund Alarabi’s video installation bridged the architectural legacies of the port cities of Jeddah and Suakin, Sudan. (Supplied)
Al-Mojadedi explained: “I wanted to blur the lines between performer and observer, offering an intimate reflection on identity and memory.”
Speaking about her approach to the theme, she added: “For me, movement transcends the physical; it embodies the unseen — a constant, evolving force of imagination, a ‘quantum dance’ through time and space. This concept guided my exploration of Hejazi folklore, where I intertwined heritage with newly crafted urban legends.
“Immersing myself in Al-Balad’s vibrant life and stories, and inspired by my connection to Bait Shouaib and a visiting butterfly, I created Haleema, a Hejazi urban legend inspired by the untold stories of women who once lived in these spaces.”
Reflecting on her creative process, Al-Mojadedi said: “My work layers the personal with the performative, reimagining space as both a site of storytelling and an active participant in the narrative. Being part of this residency was an enriching experience that allowed us to delve into the dynamic cultural tapestry of Al-Balad and contribute our individual narratives to its enduring story.”
Similarly, another artist, Nhat Q. Vo, a Vietnamese curator and cultural worker, explored the transient histories of Jeddah’s migrant worker communities, centering his project around Al-Shafi’i Mosque, a hub of cultural exchange.
“When I arrived in Al-Balad, I was drawn to its physical environment and the untold stories of the laborers who sustain Historic Jeddah. At first, the language barrier made it difficult to connect, but my discovery of Al-Shafi’i Mosque changed everything.
“The sight of people gathering for iftar, united by faith despite their differences, inspired me to represent their stories through their shared rituals rather than words.”
Speaking about how architecture informed his creative approach, he said: “Architecture became a vessel for these narratives, a place where diverse communities converge. Using over 70 meters of fabric to replace the plastic sufra at the mosque, I allowed the material to absorb the traces of shared meals and human connection.
“The fabric, marked by food crumbs, oil stains and creases, became a tangible record of collective memory. For me, the real inspiration comes from the people whose lives and routines shape the rich tapestry of these spaces.”
Riyadh-based artist and architect, Hayfa Algwaiz, has created a site-specific mobile installation in Bait Shouaib’s stairwell, or minwar, exploring the interplay between movement, space and architectural elements.
Activating the stairwell as a dynamic participant in her narrative, she said: “The subtle movement of the mobile mirrored the ephemeral qualities of light, air and transition experienced in Al-Balad. By focusing on a single element, I was able to honor the historic significance of the space while introducing contemporary artistic interpretations.”
Elaborating on her approach, she said: “As an artist and architect, I strive to bridge the past and the present by focusing on elements that connect them, such as the framed openings in historic structures like Bait Shouaib. These openings, adorned with intricate ornamentation, are constants that I deconstruct and reconstruct to reflect our contemporary times.
“In Saudi Arabia’s rapidly changing urban landscape, I aim to spark a dialogue around what should be preserved and what can evolve. By reinterpreting traditional materials, spatial layouts and ornamentation into modern expressions, I hope to honor our cultural identity while embracing the future.”
Animated by natural airflow, her installation reflects the residency’s ethos of bridging tradition with innovation.
“Architecture has the potential to transform into a living, breathing entity, and I sought to capture that essence,” she said.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to Marrakech for sixth edition
30 exhibitors include galleries from Africa, Europe, India and for the first time, the Gulf
Updated 01 February 2025
Rebecca Anne Proctor
MARRAKECH: The sixth edition of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has returned to the opulent La Mamounia Hotel bringing together collectors and art aficionados from across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
The smallest of the 1-54 fairs — which are also held in London and New York — the Marrakech edition, which opened on Jan. 30, presents a more intimate, upscale experience.
There is a great focus on establishing connections between the Marrakech art scene and greater Africa and its diaspora, the Middle East and Europe.
1-54 Marrakech 2025. (Courtesy Mohamed Lakhda)
Running until Feb. 2, the event is being held at both the La Mamounia Hotel and multidisciplinary art space DaDa, located within the famous bustling Jemaa El-Fnaa square and marketplace in the city’s Medina quarter.
The latter highlights predominantly art concepts from across Morocco whereas within the lavish halls of La Mamounia, both international and Moroccan galleries present works by local African and international artists.
“In this edition, there is a very good balance between African, international and local Moroccan galleries,” fair director and founder Touria El Glaoui, the daughter of the late celebrated Moroccan modernist painter Hassan El Glaoui, told Arab News.
1-54 Marrakech 2025. (Courtesy Mohamed Lakhda)
“This year presents 14 galleries from Africa … in addition to a gallery from Kuwait City, Tokyo, two galleries from Milan, and the Kalhath Foundation from Mumbai, India, presenting Moroccan artist Amina Benbouchta.”
Newcomers this year include Milan-based C+N Gallery CANEPANERI; space Un from Tokyo, Japan; and GALERIE FARAH FAKHRI from Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Also represented for the first time will be Galerie Medina from Bamako, Mali; Hunna Art from Kuwait City, Kuwait; Le Violon Bleu Gallery from Sidi Bou Said in Tunis, Tunisia; and Rabat-based Abla Ababou Galerie.
1-54 Marrakech 2025. (Courtesy Mohamed Lakhda)
On view at Le Violon Bleu from Tunisia are also paintings by Hassan El Glaoui. The display marks the first time the artist’s works are exhibited at the fair.
The Gulf is represented this year through the debuting Hunna Art from Kuwait City.
In addition, a talk, titled “AlUla a New Laboratory for Contemporary Art,” will be delivered by French curator Arnaud Morand who has staged exhibitions and residencies for several years in the ancient Saudi Arabia desert region.
1-54 Marrakech 2025. (Courtesy Mohamed Lakhda)
Also from the Gulf will be a special performance titled “Le Miroir (Acte I)” by renowned artist Miles Greenberg, to be staged at the historic El-Badi Palace, commissioned by ICD Brookfield Place Arts Program in Dubai.
Since its launch in Morocco in 2018, 1-54 has grown into a global event bringing collectors, major art institutions and artists from across the world to Morocco.
The fair, as El Glaoui noted, is also building on Marrakech’s rich cultural and art scene which has been expanding over the years. Of note this year is the reopening of the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al-Maaden alongside numerous exhibitions and museum shows and performances.
“Marrakech has a strategic geographic location serving as a meeting point for audiences from the Middle East, Africa and the rest of the world,” said El Glaoui.
“Morocco has a vibrant art scene that has significantly grown over the years. I think between its auction houses, museums, private foundations and the various galleries we have in each city, it has become an important international contender for modern and contemporary art.”
Saudi artist Muhannad Shono to take part in California’s 2025 Desert X
Updated 31 January 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: Saudi artist Muhannad Shono has been selected to take part in the fifth edition of Desert X, the international site-specific art exhibition which will take place across California’s Coachella Valley from March 8 to May 11.
Produced by non-profit organization The Desert Biennial, the event will feature artistic talent from across Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
Shono’s work, “What Remains,” explores the ever-changing nature of identity and land. (Supplied)
Curated by artistic director Neville Wakefield and co-curator Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas, the 2025 iteration will feature themes of temporality and nonlinear narratives of desert time.
Shono’s work, “What Remains,” explores the ever-changing nature of identity and land. The piece features long strips of fabric infused with native sand, allowing them to move freely with the wind. As the wind shifts, the fabric twists and reshapes while the sand forms dunes.
Muhannad Shono, "On this Sacred Day." (Supplied)
“The land of Desert X is no longer the mythical and endless expanses of the American West but has come to include the effects of our ever-growing human presence,” said Wakefield.
“Artists continue to be inspired by the idea of unadulterated nature but … they have also come to recognize that this is an idea and that the realities of the world we live in now are both more complex and contested. Time, light and space permeate every aspect of this work but so too does an urgency to find new sustainable approaches to living in an increasingly imperiled world.”
Desert X, California. (Supplied)
The full list of participating artists is as follows: Sanford Biggers, Los Angeles, California; Jose Davila, Guadalajara, Mexico; Agnes Denes, Budapest, Hungary; Cannupa Hanska Luger, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara and Lakota, b. Standing Rock Reservation, North Dakota, based in Glorieta, New Mexico; Raphael Hefti, Neuchatel, Switzerland; Kimsooja, Daegu, Korea; Kapwani Kiwanga, Hamilton, Canada; Sarah Meyohas, New York; Ronald Rael, Conejos Country, US; Alison Saar, Los Angeles, California; Muhannad Shono, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
