Art and Tradition Unite at Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
As-salamu alaykum! The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale will begin on January 30 with a special procession featuring musicians and a convoy of Toyota pick-ups traveling through the historic area northwest of Riyadh. The journey will conclude at the Jax district, the event’s venue, with poetry recitations and artistic performances.
This procession is more than just a celebration-it highlights the theme of the third biennale, called In Interludes and Transitions. The title draws from an Arabic expression reflecting the nomadic lifestyle of the peninsula’s Bedouin communities, who often move and settle in cycles.
Nora Razian, one of the biennale’s artistic directors, explains that the Arabic phrase captures the continuous settling and moving, along with the strong bonds within these communities. The English title also refers to musical interludes and theatrical acts, emphasizing oral histories, rhythms, and music that inspired the biennale’s design and visitor experience.
Using Toyota pick-ups is culturally meaningful since they have long replaced camels as the reliable desert vehicles for many Bedouins. Razian notes these vehicles symbolize movement and celebration and explore how cars have transformed traditional ways of traveling and their representation in popular culture.
The procession is a commissioned work by Saudi artist and music producer Mohammed Alhamdan, known as 7amdan, a well-known figure in Saudi pop culture. He collaborates with various musicians and poets to create a visually and sonically rich experience.
This opening procession also symbolizes the many types of movements and migrations the biennale will explore, from physical journeys to the movement of histories and communities, whether by choice or exile.
The biennale features a diverse group of artists whose works tell stories of resilience and the challenges faced by societies today. Some artists, like Thao Nguyen Phan, engage with historical and cultural tensions, exploring themes like being a woman artist during conflict.
The exhibition’s design reflects the theme of movement, avoiding a strict timeline and instead embracing a flow that mirrors a procession, with various live performances and interactive elements.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale will run from January 30 to April 23, inviting everyone to experience this unique blend of tradition, art, and community spirit.
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