Immersed in the theme of “After Rain,” the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale presents a tableau of artistic expression and cultural revival from February 20 to May 24, 2024. Situated in the historic heart of Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh and near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al Turaif, the Biennale is a pivotal event that harmonizes with Saudi Arabia’s own narrative of transformation and renewal.
The Biennale’s theme, “After Rain,” evokes the fresh scent of earth after a downpour, symbolizing growth, revitalization, and the promise of new beginnings. As the Kingdom forges a path toward a revitalized cultural identity, this exhibition serves as both a reflection and an exploration of this evolving landscape.
Curated by Ute Meta Bauer, the artistic director of the biennale, the event showcases an extensive collection of artworks spanning a variety of mediums and approaches. Over 100 artists from across the globe, with a significant representation from the Gulf region, have their works on display across six indoor and outdoor halls and courtyards, occupying 12,900 square meters of the JAX district in Diriyah.
2024 DCAB Curatorial Team Bios
Meta Bauer is distinguished by a career marked by significant contributions to art education and curation. Since 2013, she has served with distinction as the Founding Director of the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, simultaneously shaping minds as a Professor at Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design, and Media. Currently, she co-chairs the Master of Arts program in Museum Studies and Curatorial Practices. Meta Bauer is also deeply involved in research, as the Principal Investigator for the “Climate Crisis and Cultural Loss,” a three-year project delving into the intersections of environmental change and cultural heritage.
The Biennale is a veritable journey through the creative processes, informed by the curatorial team’s extensive research and travels throughout Saudi Arabia. It is here that the dialogue between different generations of artists comes to life, examining the intimate relationship between humanity and nature, and addressing fundamental needs such as water, food, and shelter in the context of the Kingdom’s rapid development.
Significant commissioned works punctuate the Biennale’s landscape. For instance, Saudi artist Ahmed Mater and Berlin-based photographer and filmmaker Armin Linke embark on a long-term project documenting the nation’s vision of futurism. Emerging Yemeni artist based in Saudi, Sara Abdu, presents a series of soap towers that elicit a multisensory engagement with regional cleansing rituals. Mohammad AlFaraj’s new work, an interplay of palm trees and sound, offers a contemplative reflection on Al Ahsa, one of the world’s largest oases.
The exhibition extends into the shared cultural experiences of food and communion, particularly resonant during the holy month of Ramadan. The Britto Arts Trust invites visitors to partake in the cyclical act of harvesting, cooking, and eating within a bamboo architectural installation. NJOKOBOK offers a taste of local flavors with its juice and tea bar, while Lucy + Jorge Orta orchestrate communal meals in the JAX District, fostering a spirit of togetherness.
The Biennale’s open-air spaces are equally transformative. Azra Akšamija creates a 70-meter-long canopy of recycled felt, inspired by Saudi textiles and traditional Al Sadu weaving, while Anne Holtrop’s structure of recycled glass sheets echoes the country’s industrial prowess.
Beyond the visual arts, the Biennale Encounters series enriches the Biennale with performances, concerts, and poetry readings, ensuring a year-long cultural engagement. The “Learning Garden” online platform promises to continue the dialogue initiated by the Biennale, fostering a community of thought and discussion that extends beyond physical boundaries.
Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, encapsulates the vision of the Biennale as synchronizing with the Kingdom’s renaissance and the developmental transformation, particularly within the arts sector. She envisions this edition as not just a cultural experience but also a call for reflection and introspection, resonating across cultures and ages.
Looking forward, the Biennale is a prelude to the Islamic Arts Biennale slated for January to May 2025 in Jeddah. This upcoming event, dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilization, will take place at the iconic Western Hajj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz Airport. It will offer a unique perspective on Islamic artistic heritage and contemporary expressions, including significant site-specific installations.
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation, established in 2020, is at the forefront of this cultural resurgence, dedicated to nurturing creative expression and fostering an appreciation for culture and the arts. The Foundation’s biennials are not just exhibitions but are integral to Saudi Arabia’s cultural strategy, serving as platforms for dialogue, exchange, and a deepened understanding of the arts. The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, in its essence, is a celebration of the Kingdom’s ambitious journey through the arts, marking its place as an emerging cultural epicenter.
As the event spans Ramadan, communal experiences are emphasised, with participatory installations like NJOKOBOK’s juice and tea bar, and Lucy + Jorge Orta’s Ramadan meal in the JAX District alleyways. Azra Akšamija’s canopy of recycled felt and Anne Holtrop’s recycled glass shading structure demonstrate innovation while staying true to local materials and techniques.
Complementing the visual arts, the Biennale Encounters series promises a rich programme of performances, poetry readings, and concerts, enriching the year-long cultural engagement. The “Learning Garden” online platform extends this engagement beyond the physical confines of the Biennale, serving as a digital continuance of the ideas and conversations sparked during the event.
This edition’s success echoes the ambitions of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, led by CEO Aya Al-Bakree, to position Saudi Arabia as a burgeoning hub for international art discourse and engagement. The Foundation’s commitment to curatorial excellence is also evidenced in the announcement of the second Islamic Arts Biennale, scheduled for January to May 2025 in Jeddah. This Biennale will be a reflection on the rich heritage and future of Islamic arts, curated by an esteemed international team and held at the iconic Western Hajj Terminal.
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