The largest collection of works of Islamic art ever exhibited in the Kingdom is brought together for the exhibition “Shatr Almasjid,” also known as the “Art of Orientation,” through unprecedented international and domestic collaborations.
Its goal is to help Muslims appreciate their faith more deeply and to inspire non-Muslims to learn more about Islam. The exhibition, which began in February 2021, describes itself as “one of the most significant Islamic art exhibitions exhibited in Saudi Arabia.” It is now on view in Gallery 3 of Ithra.
Visitors can view the holy sites without ever leaving their current location by using virtual reality headsets. When you approach the exhibition, there is a wall with about a dozen black headphones and Samsung smartphones with closed captioning and pre-uploaded brief audio descriptions in Arabic and English.
The “Aesthetics, Evolution and Function” display will assist visitors in learning about the historical development and purpose of mosques, as well as the interiors, exteriors, and relics contained therein.
The “Art of Orientation” is the outcome of a groundbreaking collaboration with the Supreme Council of Egyptian Antiquities and a broad range of Islamic art specialists, and is supported by international academic and artistic partnerships.
A minbar, mihrab niches, calligraphic artwork, prayer rugs, mosque lights, and Qur’anic manuscripts are among the many items on show.
Ithra, who is constantly inventive and makes use of cutting-edge technology, produced five VR tours of mosques for the exhibition, including the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah. Wearers of the VR headgear will have the impression that they are walking through the mosque.