In an extraordinary show of collaboration and unity, national airline Saudia, a principal partner of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s Islamic Arts Biennale, landed a historic Boeing 777-300ER aircraft featuring retro livery design, at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah today, parked in direct proximity to the Biennale site, to celebrate the official opening of the world-first exhibition.
In the spirit of continued support of the Kingdom’s development, and inspired by the airline’s original visual identity, the retro 1970-1980 era design was painted in 2021 by Saudi nationals of the Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) to mark the airline’s 75th year anniversary. Its presence at the Western Hajj Terminal on the official opening of the world’s first Islamic Arts Biennale today, is symbolic of the airline’s commitment to the Kingdom’s continued development, this time through the arts.
Themed ‘Awwal Bait’, meaning ‘First House’, in reference to the Holy Ka’bah in Makkah, the Biennale takes visitors on an immersive, multi-sensory journey through the past, present, and future of the Islamic Arts, featuring over 40 established and emerging artists from around the globe, over 50 new commissions, 280 artefacts and over 15 never-before-exhibited artefacts. Saudi Arabian heritage and artistic talent is on full display with 18 Saudi artists presenting over 40 pieces of work, in addition to items loaned from 13 institutions in the Kingdom including Haramain Authority in Makkah, the National Museum, the King Abdulaziz Library, the Museum of Antiquities and Heritage, the King Fahad National Library, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic studies, among others. Joined by a curated selection of pieces from esteemed international artists and institutions dedicated to the Islamic arts, this historic first edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale provides a holistic, novel perspective into the Islamic Arts for local and international audiences.
Arwa Al Ali, Senior Advisor, Strategy and Partnerships at the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, states: “we extend our deepest gratitude to Saudia for this extraordinary gesture and its unwavering support to the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s launch of the world’s first biennale dedicated to the Islamic arts. Creative expression is the beating heart of a community, and we are thrilled to witness this meaningful collaboration in support of this historic moment for the Kingdom’s culture and creative sector.”
Arwa Al Ali, Senior Advisor, Strategy and Partnerships at the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, states: “we extend our deepest gratitude to Saudia for this extraordinary gesture and its unwavering support to the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s launch of the world’s first biennale dedicated to the Islamic arts. Creative expression is the beating heart of a community, and we are thrilled to witness this meaningful collaboration in support of this historic moment for the Kingdom’s culture and creative sector.”
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[email protected] [email protected]ABOUT DIRIYAH BIENNALE FOUNDATION
Inspired by the changes taking place in Saudi Arabia and the heritage site of Diriyah, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation assumes a critical role in nurturing creative expression and instilling an appreciation for culture and the arts and their transformative potential. The Foundation aspires to be a catalyst for lifelong learning and serves Saudi Arabia’s communities by offering opportunities to engage with the burgeoning local art scene. At this historical moment of evolution and growth in Saudi Arabia, these Biennales will showcase some of the world’s leading artists, drive cultural exchange between the Kingdom and international communities, promote dialogue and understanding, and further establish Saudi Arabia as an important cultural center.
ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
The Ministry of Culture is leading a cultural transformation to develop a rich ecosystem that nurtures creativity, unlocks the economic potential of the sector, and unleashes new and inspiring forms of expression. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Culture is seeking to bolster the presence of Saudi heritage and culture at events across the Kingdom and abroad, enabling participants to engage with the Kingdom’s rich and diverse history and preserving Saudi heritage for generations to come.
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