The Diriyah Biennale Foundation announces the launch of MADE., a new design forum that champions the evolving landscape of design-led making at the intersection of creativity, craftsmanship, and discourse. Taking place May 1-4, 2025, at the Public Programs Building of the Islamic Arts Biennale at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, MADE. will serve as both a marketplace for design objects and a platform for exploring the ideas behind them. 

 

MADE. brings together independent designers, makers, and artists representing various disciplines including product design, architecture, and craftsmanship. Visitors can meet with creators, and discover unique works spanning furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, and innovative biomaterials. 

 

The ambition of MADE. is to participate in both commerce and discourse. Beyond the curated marketplace, the forum features an extensive program of talks, workshops, and collaborative sessions that delve into the materiality, process, ethics, and innovation behind contemporary design. This programming encourages inquiry into how and why things are made, cultivating a deeper understanding of design as both practice and philosophy. 

 

Aya Albakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation: "MADE. is more than a marketplace. It is a platform where design is not only seen and sold, but also discussed, questioned, and reimagined. This inaugural edition represents a pivotal moment in the region's rapidly growing design landscape. The Diriyah Biennale Foundation is proud to provide a platform for people who are passionate about design, bringing together makers who unite heritage and traditional crafts with forward-looking design."