The second edition of Jeddah’s Islamic Arts Biennale will return from January 25 to May 25, 2024, at the iconic Hajj Terminal. Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, this year’s theme, “And All That Is In-Between,” will focus on how faith is experienced and expressed through artistic emotions, thoughts, and creations. The event follows the success of the inaugural biennale in 2023, which was themed “Awwal Bait” (First House).
This year’s biennale will showcase over 500 historical artifacts and contemporary artworks, loaned from prestigious global institutions like the Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Participating nations include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Indonesia, and the US, among others. The program will feature contributions from over 20 artists, including notable Saudi and international figures, such as Libyan artist Nour Jaouda.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, hailed the biennale’s transformative power and emphasized its broader goals, stating: “Building on the remarkable success of the inaugural edition, the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale comes with greater ambition, expanded partnerships, and a diverse selection of artistic and cultural institutions.”
Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s CEO, Aya Al-Bakree, emphasized the biennale’s role as a global cultural platform, remarking on the event’s growing participation from world-leading artists and institutions. Al-Bakree noted the significance of the event in fostering new research and dialogue in the field of Islamic arts.
This year’s exhibition will also include various thematic highlights, such as celestial navigation and Islamic gardens, while promoting innovation in design through a prayer space competition. In an exciting collaboration, the Vatican Library will participate, showcasing rare historical works in a special section entitled “The Art of Numbers,” which explores the symbolic use of numbers across different cultures.