AMAALA, the ultra-luxury development located along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, partners with the Saudi Art Council for this year’s 21,39 Jeddah Arts to celebrate the wealth of creative and artistic talent from the region and beyond. The partnership, cemented over the past two editions of the exhibition, reflects AMAALA’s commitment to promote and support Saudi Arabia’s cultural sphere while underscoring the Council’s vision to propel the Kingdom to the forefront of the global contemporary art scene.
Testament to the Kingdom’s thriving and dynamic cultural scene, the eighth edition of the exhibition unites artists from across Saudi Arabia, the region, and the international arts landscape to explore ‘The Secrets of Alidades’ – the 2021 theme. Thirty-three artworks invite visitors to embark on a thrilling interstellar adventure and discover a world of new dimensions and systems, inspired by the spirit of sailors who used the stars to guide their journeys across uncharted waters. A supporting program of activities aims to cultivate creativity further and enhance cultural dialogue throughout the region, with curated exhibitions, gallery openings, workshops, and a series of talks and discussions hosted by distinguished artists and industry leaders to encourage young people to get involved and excel in the arts.
2021 edition unites emerging and established artists from across Saudi Arabia, the region and beyond to explore ‘The Secrets of Alidades’
The exhibition forms part of AMAALA’s ongoing vision to enhance the Kingdom’s creative ecosystem via art residencies, platforms, and incubators.
John Pagano, Chief Executive Officer of AMAALA, commented: “At AMAALA, we are working to establish a globally recognized hub for arts and culture. Supporting the local art scene and engaging with the creative community is a key pillar of AMAALA’s DNA. 21,39 Jeddah Arts is the perfect opportunity to show our support for Saudi talent, and we hope to see many of them visit AMAALA in the future to create and to exhibit. AMAALA has established strong links with the Saudi Art Council, and we aim to continue to build our relationship in the years to come.”
H.R.H. Princess Jawaher Bint Majed Bin Abdulaziz, Chairwoman of the Saudi Art Council, said: “This has truly been an unconventional year. If there is one thing we have learned through it all, it is that the arts will endure as a light in times of darkness, a beacon of hope that perseveres against all odds. I believe in the resilience of artists, and I admire their ability to turn to their practices for safety and security. With that said, I am very happy to celebrate the spirit of artistic creation by introducing this year’s curator, Fabien Danesi, who has provided us with a fresh take on the Saudi art scene.”
Exhibition open until 7 September 2021
Launched in September 2018 by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as a critical component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, AMAALA will be a transformative ultra-luxury destination that stretches along the north-western coast of the Red Sea. Designed to evolve and elevate the very best in travel and inspired by the worlds of arts, culture, and wellness, AMAALA is taking shape into a distinguished tourist destination within the Prince Mohammad bin Salman Natural Reserve.