Diriyah Biennale Exhibition
The Diriyah Biennale Exhibition is an annual exhibition and one of the Ministry of Culture's initiatives. It is organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and alternates between contemporary and Islamic arts. The first edition was held in JAX District of Diriyah Governorate from December 11, 2021, to March 11, 2022, and was dedicated to contemporary art.
Objectives of Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
The Diriyah Biennale Exhibition aims to attract a new generation to the world of contemporary art, create a space that promotes critical thinking and reflection, keep pace with the evolving art scene in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and encourage contemplation of key contemporary issues.
First edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
The first edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale was themed "Feeling the Stones" and featured six sections: Crossing the River, Experimental Preservation, Peripheral Thinking, Going Public, Brave New Worlds, and Concerning the Spiritual.
The edition showcased forty artworks by twenty-seven artists from Saudi Arabia, as well as pieces and artifacts by international artists. The artworks included a variety of artistic media, such as paintings, installations, and performances, with the participation of sixty artists from within Saudi Arabia and abroad.
Second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
The second edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale was held in JAX District, Diriyah Governorate, from February 20, 2024, to May 24, 2024, under the theme "After Rain." It featured the work of one hundred artists from within Saudi Arabia and abroad, presenting 177 artworks, including forty-seven new pieces and eleven cinematic works.