What is the Biennale of Islamic Arts?

The word Biennale is of Italian origin and means a biennial exhibition. It is an artistic event for a comprehensive contemporary exhibition of all kinds of art, sculpture, photography, composite works, and sculptures. It was held for the first time in Diriyah. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The first Diriyah Biennial was launched on December 11, 2021. Organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. Biennale is a platform for showcasing the best products of art and creativity in the world, designed to go in line with the context of the qualitative transformations achieved in the Saudi cultural scene in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Biennale of Islamic Arts is a cultural program that takes place from January 23 to April 23, 2023. It includes a distinguished group of different activities and excursions.

Islamic Arts Biennale location

The Western Pilgrims Hall at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah hosts a group of new buildings dedicated to the establishment of the Biennale of Islamic Arts, which is the first of its kind in the world. The Pilgrims Hall was designed by the well-established architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in the late 1970s and began receiving visitors in the early 1980s. It also won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1983.

The idea of designing the buildings of the Biennale is inspired by the canopies of the pilgrims’ lounge and the courtyards of traditional houses.

The buildings of the Biennale consist of a group of sculptures of varying sizes and proportions arranged around a central plaza. This will provide artists with a variety of spaces that give them inspiration and that they can at the same time re-imagine and re-create.

The design of the Biennale buildings is in harmony with the design of the pilgrims’ hall, but at the same time, it carries a visual identity independent of it. Instead of crowding out the canopies of the hall, these buildings act as an integrated part of the site map and reformulate it within a renewed concept. The end result is in the group of new buildings appears to be scattered outer fragments of the regular space of the pilgrims’ terminal.

Biennale has two main areas to display works of art and artifacts. The first space consists of continuous galleries on a single line. The second space, it will consist of two pavilions dedicated to the good of the parts of the earth, Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and an outdoor area under the umbrellas of the pilgrims’ hall – which has won a number of international awards in design – and will be devoted to displaying paintings and installation artworks. Sun’s rays passing through the umbrellas, in addition to the view of the horizon where the sky meets the desert, will create a unique experience that differs greatly from the closed galleries in the first part of the exhibition.

Activities available at the Biennale of Islamic Arts

• workshops
• Artist interviews
• Discussion sessions
• Lectures and seminars
• Artistic and cinematic performances
• Giving visitors the opportunity to discover themselves, by diving into the arts of the Islamic world.

Who can visit the Biennale of Islamic Arts?

This cultural program is designed to attract all audiences with special activities for children and youth. As well as cross-generational activities suitable for all family members, and activities for adults. There is so much to do and learn.

Some of the best experts in the field share their knowledge and skills in accessible and engaging ways.

How do I book Biennale tickets?

There are many programs and dates, so reservations must be made in advance. from the event website. You can choose the programs that are suitable for you and know their cost, knowing that some of them are free and know the available appointments.

Our role in Alwofood

Learn about our programs and services that are integrated with the activities and events of the Kingdom. You can comprehensively plan your trip with our integrated services. Do you need to rent a car with or without a driver? Do you prefer to travel by bus? Find out about available times and the possibility of pre-booking with our fleet of modern buses. Are you hosting some delegations or visitors and need to book a hotel room for them next to the events you expect them to visit? Whatever your question, you can always seek the help of our team at any time.