• It also reflects the Saudi media group’s commitment to enhance the cultural, artistic and societal aspects of this event
  • The extensive coverage - which will last for three months, until March 11, 2022 - targets a wide audience of nearly 165 million individuals across the MENA region and the world, through the group's media outlets, digital platforms and social media networks

Riyadh : The Saudi Research and Media Group - SRMG announced today its partnership with the first edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale – in the capacity of Official Media Partner, for this unique cultural, artistic and creative event in Saudi Arabia, organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, a catalyst for global dialogue between the growing, diverse art communities in Saudi and across the world.

The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale - which hosts its discerning public from 11 December 2021 to 11 March 2022 in the JAX District Riyadh - is gaining momentum as the first international biennale exhibition in Saudi Arabia that reveals the essence of contemporary art in its various forms. The exhibition offers a creative platform that contributes to raising the awareness and keeping pace with the flourishing cultural scene in the Kingdom. It also celebrates the historical moment around the cultural-artistic dialogue – thus reinforcing the bonds between the cultural and creative communities in the Kingdom, on one hand; and the international art world, on the other.

Developed by a team of international curators, led by Philip Tinari, Director and CEO of the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing, the Diriyah Biennale includes six sections rich with artworks created by nearly 60 global and local artists. These sections fall under the inaugural theme: "Feeling the Stones", as part of a dialogue revolving around contemporary arts with a group of artists and visitors.

This partnership seeks to enhance the media exposure and impact of the first “Biennale" in the Kingdom. It also reflects the keenness of SRMG to highlight the cultural, artistic and societal aspects of this unique event. The extensive coverage - which will last for three months, until March 11, 2022 - targets a wide audience of nearly 165 million individuals across the MENA region and the world, through the group's media outlets, digital platforms and social media networks, namely: "Asharq Al-Awsat", "Arab News", "Asharq News" network, "Hia" magazine, "Sayidaty", and others.

In this context, Jomana Alrashid, SRMG CEO, said: “The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale emphasizes Riyadh’s position as a prominent capital in the global cultural scene. SRMG has a proven track record of highlighting major cultural, artistic and creative events, regionally and globally. We’re proud of our partnership with this pioneering event in order to showcase the innovative and inspiring work of local and international artists; and creators.” Alrashid further added: "The cultural and creative industries provide tremendous socio-economic and knowledge-based opportunities, especially in terms of building bridges between different cultures and peoples in the region and around the world; in addition to their contribution to creating new job opportunities for the young, talented and creative generation of Saudi and Arab youth.”

On her part, Aya Al-Bakri, Diriyah Biennale Foundation CEO, said: “We are delighted with our partnership with SRMG, the most capable of introducing this historical moment in the development and growth of the artistic and cultural scenes in Saudi Arabia to a new, large and diverse audience. The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is the embodiment of our commitment to fostering the local talent in the Kingdom - thus encouraging it to provide more artistic value to the public.”

It’s worth noting that the Diriyah Biennale Foundation was established in 2020 by the Saudi Ministry of Culture; it plays a pivotal role in supporting all forms of creative practices, as well as contributing to instilling the values ​​of culture and arts, while emphasizing their role in the development and prosperity of our societies. For the first time in the Kingdom, the Foundation is organizing two “Biennale” exhibitions, namely: the “Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale”, currently underway until March 11, 2022; and the “Diriyah Islamic Arts Biennale” in 2022.

-Ends-

ABOUT SRMG

Operating since 1972, Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) is a global media house from the Middle East and North Africa with a portfolio of more than 30 major media outlets – including Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News and Arab News – delivering information, news, and lifestyle content to a monthly audience of more than 165 million.

Listed on the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh, SRMG is focused on delivering original, exclusive, and premium content in multiple languages to empower consumers with news and information through digital and social platforms, in addition to its leading cable and satellite reach. 

Through its many platforms, content, and voices, SRMG is uniquely positioned to capitalize on fast-growing opportunities for digital content distribution, online advertising and commercial partnerships in the media and entertainment market worldwide.

Headquartered in Riyadh, KSA, SRMG has offices in 18 locations around the world, including London and Dubai.

Find out more about SRMG here: www.srmg.com.  

ABOUT DIRIYAH BIENNALE FOUNDATION 

Inspired by the changes taking place in Saudi Arabia and the heritage site of Diriyah, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation assumes a critical role in nurturing creative expression and instilling an appreciation for culture, the arts, and their transformative potential. The Foundation aspires to be a catalyst for lifelong learning and serves Saudi Arabia’s communities by offering opportunities to engage with the burgeoning local art scene. At this historical moment of evolution and growth in Saudi Arabia, these Biennales will showcase some of the world’s leading artists, drive cultural exchange between the Kingdom and international communities, promote dialogue and understanding, and further establish Saudi Arabia as an important cultural center. 

Established in 2020 by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation will organize Saudi Arabia’s first-ever art biennale, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, held from December 2021 to March 2022 in the JAX district of Diriyah; and a second biennale in 2022 will be focused on Islamic arts. The Contemporary Art Biennale will be one of Saudi Arabia’s largest and most significant international displays of contemporary art to date, providing a platform for discovery and connection to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning cultural scene and creative communities. 

ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

The Ministry of Culture is leading a cultural transformation to develop a rich ecosystem that nurtures creativity, unlocks the economic potential of the sector, and unleashes new and inspiring forms of expression. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Culture is seeking to bolster the presence of Saudi heritage and culture at events across the Kingdom and abroad, enabling participants to engage with the Kingdom’s rich and diverse history and preserve Saudi heritage for generations to come. 

ABOUT UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, China

UCCA Center for Contemporary Art is China’s leading contemporary art institution. Committed to the belief that art can deepen lives and transcend boundaries, UCCA presents a wide range of exhibitions, public programs, and research initiatives to a public of more than one million visitors each year. UCCA Beijing sits at the heart of the 798 Art District, occupying 10,000 square meters of factory chambers built in 1957 and regenerated in 2019 by OMA. UCCA Dune, designed by Open Architecture, lies beneath the sand in the seaside enclave of Aranya in Beidaihe. UCCA Edge, designed by architecture firm SO – IL, opened in Shanghai in May 2021. Formally accredited as a museum by the Beijing Cultural Bureau in 2018, UCCA also operates non-profit foundations licensed by the Beijing Bureau of Civil Affairs and the Hong Kong government. UCCA’s commercial ventures include the retail platform UCCA Store, the children’s education initiative UCCA Kids, and collaborations and projects under the rubric UCCA Lab. Opened in 2007 and revived by a committed group of Chinese and international patrons in 2017, UCCA works to bring China into global dialogue through contemporary art. 

ABOUT JAX

JAX is a refurbished estate comprising over 100 warehouses in the area of Diriyah, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia has initiated the regeneration of JAX for it to become the new reference arts and culture district for the country, with lineups of exhibition spaces, artist studios, art galleries, facilities and platforms.

JAX hosts local and international institutions, businesses, programs, and galleries that can promote cultural exchanges and help artists produce works that can be showcased throughout the spaces.

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