Exploring the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025: A Peaceful Gathering of Sophisticated and Thought-Provoking Artworks
The Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, a grand exhibition of art, design, and culture, is set to captivate visitors at the outdoor Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Led by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation from Saudi Arabia, this second edition of the Biennale promises to be an unforgettable experience, running until 25 May 2025. (biennale.org.sa) The title of the Biennale, 'And All That is In Between', is inspired by a phrase that appears 20 times in the Noble Quran, reflecting the event's focus on cultural exchange and exploration of the wonders of creation. The Biennale is being designed by SOM architects and is spread across 100,000 sq m, both indoors and outdoors. The Biennale showcases over 260 objects from global institutions like the V&A, the Louvre, and the Vatican, as well as private collections such as the Al Thani Collection and Furusiyya Art Foundation. AlMuqtani, one of the exhibition areas, houses exhibits from these collections, displaying works of art that reflect faith and express taste from the neolithic to the contemporary. One of the highlights of AlMuqtani is Furusiyya, dedicated to Timurid armour and metalwork, including crusader daggers and intricate inkwells. Another beauty on display is London-based Asif Khan's Glass Quran, composed of 604 hand-gilded glass folios. AlBidayah, another exhibition area, focuses on the Holy Quran and the Ka'bah. It features ancient manuscripts and the black and gold, silver calligraphic embroidered drapery that traditionally covers the Ka'bah. The Astrolabes, essential tools in Islamic culture, are exhibited in vitrines interspersed with searing columns. The Islamic Arts Biennale also features contemporary art commissions, such as Italian artist Arcangelo Sassolino's Memory of Becoming, a vast rotating black steel disc dripping with oil. Osman Yousefzada's Arrivals installation and Takashi Kuribayashi's oil drums are featured in the courtyard garden. The event is refined, serene, provocative, and joyous, with a focus on cultural exchange and exploration of the wonders of creation. It is thematically curated into seven components: AlBidayah, AlMadar, AlMuqtani, AlMidhallah, AlMukarramah, AlMunawwarah, and AlMusalla. The AlMusalla Prize pavilion, constructed from compressed palm frond waste, woven panels, and palm rush prayer mats, is an ecological structure that can be assembled and disassembled for future use. A 1924 film by photographer Georgio Krugers documents the journey of pilgrims from Indonesia to Makkah, offering a unique insight into the Hajj pilgrimage. The Briolette of India diamond (90.3ct) and an exquisite ruby and emerald inlaid gold parrot (Mughal 1775-1825CE) are also on display in AlMuqtani. The artistic directors of the Biennale include Dr Julian Raby, Dr Amin Jaffer, Dr Abdul Rahman Azzam, and Mohannad Shono, who have been working on the project for 18 months. The Biennale promises to be a must-visit for anyone interested in art, culture, and history, offering a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Islamic arts.
Read also:
- International cooperatives associated with OCOP (One Commune One Product) are actively exploring strategies to access and penetrate foreign markets.
- Federal health clinics in Maine seek restoration of withheld Medicaid financing, filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over funding reductions.
- Tezos' Etherlink Broadens Its Gaming Offerings with Incorporation of Pikes Arena and Cricket Champions
- Depakote Cost in 2025: Discounts and Additional Savings Options
