Art and innovation converge in the historic heart of Jeddah as teamLab Borderless, the groundbreaking museum concept by the visionary art collective teamLab, announces the construction of its first permanent Middle Eastern location in Jeddah’s Historic District. Set to redefine the cultural landscape of the region, teamLab Borderless Jeddah is poised to become a new nexus of creativity and technology.
High-end travel advisors around the world can now anticipate adding teamLab Borderless Jeddah to their exclusive itineraries. The museum promises a unique blend of Saudi heritage and groundbreaking digital art that will attract and inspire international visitors seeking novel and meaningful cultural experiences.
teamLab, known for their interactive art installations that dissolve boundaries between artwork and viewer, brings its renowned immersive experience to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, this initiative marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s cultural renaissance, aiming to enrich the quality of life and diversify the economic landscape as part of Saudi Vision 2030.
Spanning approximately 10,000 square meters along the picturesque shores of Alarbaeen Lagoon, the museum will house over 50 digital artworks, including exclusive installations tailored for Jeddah. The museum’s location is symbolic, overlooking the Jeddah Historic District—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—reflecting a commitment to harmonising heritage with forward-looking artistic expression.
teamLab Borderless Jeddah will be “a world of art without boundaries, an arena where visitors will ‘wander, explore, and discover’ through interactive art that escapes traditional confines, transcending rooms and surfaces, and engaging with visitors in a continuously evolving dance of innovation”.
When initially announcing the project in 2022, His Excellency Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Vice Minister of Culture, Saudi Arabia, said, “Nurturing creativity and unleashing new forms of expression is at the heart of our cultural vision for Saudi Arabia. The concept of ‘borderless’, which sees art transcend boundaries and disciplines, resonates deeply with our efforts to build global bridges, and enhance cultural understanding amongst citizens, residents, and visitors. As an innovative project nestled within a UNESCO Heritage site, teamLab Borderless Jeddah promises to provide unique new perspectives, and we are delighted to collaborate with teamLab to bring this immersive, experiential concept to the Kingdom. ”
“Jeddah is one of the leading global cities in the Middle East with a profound history and rich cultural legacy. We are honored to be inaugurating the site of teamLab Borderless Jeddah on the banks of Al-Arbaeen Lagoon, an exceptional location facing the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Historic Jeddah,” said Toshiyuki Inoko, founder of teamLab.
Inoko continued, “The concept of teamLab Borderless is that everything exists in a borderless continuity. And our work is based on the continuous accumulation of human knowledge over a long history. For that reason, it is very significant for teamLab to be able to open the permanent teamLab Borderless in Jeddah, right next to a World Cultural Heritage Site. By experiencing teamLab Borderless, we hope that people will be able to move between the seamlessly interconnected past and present, and to imagine an ideal future.”
Since teamLab Borderless first opened in Tokyo in June 2018, the concept has captivated global audiences, earning a Guinness World Record for the most visited museum dedicated to a single art group. This fusion of art, science, and natural world exploration aligns with the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s mission to support and preserve a vibrant culture that honours its past and embraces the future.
The museum is set to be a transformative development in Jeddah’s Historic District’s revitalisation programme. It embodies the Kingdom’s diverse history and its spirit of innovation, offering a cutting-edge venue for cultural engagement and a significant draw for tourism, further enhancing the Kingdom’s standing as a premier destination for luxury travel.
teamLab Borderless Jeddah, fusing art and technology against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s historical canvas, is poised to become an essential destination for discerning cultural connoisseurs and a testament to the Kingdom’s dynamic approach to cultural development.
At present, official sources have not provided a specific opening date for the eagerly awaited museum. The editorial team at SAFE is actively engaged with teamLab to obtain this information. We are committed to keeping our readers informed and will promptly relay any updates on the opening date as soon as they become available.
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Photo top of page – © 2022 teamLab Borderless
