The Diriyah Biennale Foundation, 'Diriyah Biennales,' is a cultural arts institution affiliated with the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It undertakes the organization of a global art biennale focused on contemporary arts. It is designed to oversee the organization of an annual biennale in the Kingdom, alternating between exhibitions of contemporary arts and Islamic arts. The Diriyah Biennale Foundation catalyzes global dialogue among the growing and diverse artistic communities in the Kingdom and worldwide.
Establishing the Diriyah Biennale Foundation
The establishment of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, under the name 'Diriyah Biennales,' was announced in 2020, with the Minister of Culture serving as the chairman of its board of directors.
Diriyah Biennale Foundation activity
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation commenced its first activity with the organization of the first edition of the biennale in 2021. It marked the first biennale in the Kingdom, titled 'Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale', held in the JAX District of ad-Dir'iyyah. Additionally, the second edition of the biennale, titled 'Islamic Arts Biennale', took place in the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah in 2023. Through organizing the biennale, the foundation works towards achieving the goals outlined by the vision and directions of the Saudi Ministry of Culture related to contemporary art platforms, aiming to elevate them to a level where the Kingdom becomes a regional and global hub for arts and culture.
The biennale alternation
The Diriyah Biennale Foundation organizes biennale, alternating between contemporary and Islamic arts annually. This is aimed at diversifying the biennale and creating a larger platform for Saudi artists with different creative directions through a prestigious art platform that allows them to showcase their works and interact with their international counterparts. The biennale serves as a creative platform that enables the global audience to explore Saudi artistic and cultural presentations characterized by depth and diversity.
Biennale initiative
The biennale is one of the initiatives announced by the Saudi Ministry of Culture as part of its first package of initiatives. It is a global artistic event aimed at stimulating and empowering Saudi artists in the field of visual arts. The establishment of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation was a fundamental and necessary step to organize the biennale according to the international standards that meet the aspirations of the Ministry of Culture and achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The 2024 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
The 2024 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale will take place in the Jax District of ad-Dir'iyyah. Renowned global curator of exhibitions Ute Meta Bauer is responsible for the artistic management of the exhibition, and will lead the organizing team of the 2024 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, which will feature artistic experiences and visions from diverse cultural backgrounds. This team will contribute to enhancing the biennale's message through various artistic mediums, including performance art, sound art, research-based artistic practices, and digital art patterns.
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