New ‘Net Zero’ exhibition opens at Ithra aiming to build awareness around sustainability

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Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj’s work at Net Zero exhibition in Ithra. (Supplied)
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The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture launched a contemporary art exhibition, called “Net Zero,” in Dhahran on Wednesday. (Supplied)
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The eclectic mixture of independent but cohesively curated artworks showcases how different artists use their art as a way to communicate the need to try to achieve “net zero.” (Supplied)
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Saudi artist Zahrah Alghamdi’s work at Net Zero exhibit in Ithra. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 September 2023
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New ‘Net Zero’ exhibition opens at Ithra aiming to build awareness around sustainability

  • Two Saudis among 18 participating artists
  • Event set to end in summer 2024

DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture launched a contemporary art exhibition, called “Net Zero,” in Dhahran on Wednesday.
In what Ithra describes as a “future-forward, sustainable approach to museums and exhibitions,” the futuristic, 3D-printed white walls in Gallery 1 came to life in the latest thought-provoking group show, made up of colorful and organic immersive dioramas from 18 different contemporary artists.
The eclectic mixture of independent but cohesively curated artworks showcases how different artists use their art as a way to communicate the need to try to achieve “net zero,” which is a term used to refer to “the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.”
Farah Abushullaih, the head of the museum at Ithra, explained why the activation of the space was timely.
She said: “The ‘Net Zero’ exhibition aims to raise awareness and educate our audiences on sustainability from an artistic perspective.
“Part of Ithra’s mission is to educate the community on artistic practices, how artists reflect the world and engage with important and topical areas of interest through creativity.”
The exhibition space adopted sustainable operations throughout the construction process, and promises to keep that ethos following the end of the event in June 2024.
The plan is to disassemble the exhibition as a whole once it ends and to repurpose the low-carbon walls and reuse most materials within the Ithra facility.
Ithra demonstrated its commitment to the cause by partnering with ACCIONA Cultural for the first time for “Net Zero.”
ACCIONA Cultura is a global company that specializes in the creation of museums and immersive experiences with an innovative and sustainable approach to develop carbon tracking and offsetting solutions, including in the design, production, installation, and operational phases of events.
There are two Saudi artists and 16 other artists participating in “Net Zero.” The 18 artists have brought their personal observations of environmental challenges to their work.
The artworks, nine of which have been commissioned specifically for the exhibition, convey the contributing artists’ perspectives on a range of environmental issues.
Mohammad Al-Faraj, one of the Saudi artists, is also a farmer. Hailing from neighboring Al-Ahsa, Al-Faraj takes great pride in documenting the lives of rice farmers.
He started filming the men with feet submerged in water in 2015, tirelessly harvesting the famous hassawi red rice. Some of the footage was taken on his smartphone, some with his professional camera. The result was the first of his three pieces in his “Net Zero” contribution.
On a TV hanging on the wall, a split-screen shows footage of men harvesting the rice, their chanting in unison reverberating in the sun. The five-minute visual collage consists of snippets stitched together, each showcasing a different glimpse in the life of a rice farmer throughout the process — and the years.
Al-Faraj told Arab News: “I call this first work ‘The Ghost of the Farmer.’ I’m not a nostalgic person and don’t necessarily long for the ways of the past, but I do have a fear of the future.
“I am afraid that things, and processes, that I will need later, are disappearing. I can already feel them leaving, like a ghost.
“When I refer to farmers, I don’t just limit it to those in the farming industry. We are all farmers, each of us, in our lives, we have a garden within.
“How you cultivate the space, how you care for it, how you nurture it and water it — it’s a garden. There is the saying that goes something like, ‘Each of us has a life that is a canvas,’ but I think, in actuality, a garden is more fitting because it lives and dies, just like us.”
For his second piece, “Fossils of Knowledge,” he shaped organic objects from a tree to resemble a giant fossil. He questions where the knowledge that one acquires goes when we are dead and buried.
In his third piece he stitched together a collection of black and white photos that show the lifecycle of the palm tree, from a freshly chopped stump that resembles a full moon to burning the soil deliberately to reignite the land. Images of palm trees twisting with nature and then of its renewed growth, all connected. Printed on cotton paper, he sees it all as one photo.
Al-Faraj says that it means a great deal to him to have his work displayed so close to his beloved Al-Ahsa. Dhahran has become a hub and he said he is honored to be part of the very important conversations that Ithra promotes.
Aaron Cezar, director of Delfina Foundation in London, traveled to the first night of the “Net Zero” show in support of Al-Faraj, who had been offered a Delfina residency back in 2016.
The foundation had identified Al-Faraj as an exceptional artist, with what Cezar described as having an “incredible eye for moving images and for storytelling.”
Cezar kept in touch with Al-Faraj and has followed his work since then.
He told Arab News: “I think Mohammad Al-Faraj is one of the artists who will be at the forefront of this next generation of creative practitioners and I’m here to support him.
“He is from Al-Ahsa, too, which is important — he is not from Riyadh or Jeddah. He pretty much lives there (in Al-Ahsa). He is bringing in the stories, the way of life from this other province of Saudi into the national scene, and then occasionally on the international scene as well.”
The other Saudi artist participating is Zahrah Al-Ghamdi, who has long established herself as a local pioneer in utilizing nature as the main focus of her art.
As a frequent participant in art exhibitions nationally and internationally, she has become one of the most recognized contemporary Saudi artists of our time. Her work with organic materials, while drawing inspiration from the land by using objects found within that land, has become the blueprint for artists.
For “Net Zero,” Al-Ghamdi’s site-specific piece “City of Thorns” is made entirely of thorns and brown-tinted leaves stuck together in a circular shape.
The work is meant to be seen “as a symbol of the resilience of nature. It highlights the impact of climate change, underscoring the responsibility we bear to protect the natural environment for future generations.”
The exhibition promises to take an interactive approach to educate the public beyond the enjoyment of the space. The aim is to build awareness around sustainability by collaborating with the community and inviting the public to join concurrent comprehensive public programming that includes interactive workshops and sessions on recycling.
The other 16 artists are: Moffat Takadiwa, Ava Roth with Mylee Nordin, Bright, Ugochukwu Eke, SUPERFLEX, Dina Haddadin, Ane Graff, Willy Verginer, Ian Kiaer, Tom Hegen, Emil Lukas, Ron Griffin, Nick Brandt, Gregory Mohoney, Hamish Fulton, Philippe Parreno and Jan Dibbets.
 


Saudi Arabia to host inaugural ImpaQ Forum for influencers, content creators

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia to host inaugural ImpaQ Forum for influencers, content creators

  • The landmark event, announced by media minister Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, will be Saudi Arabia’s largest gathering for influencers, digital content creators and industry experts

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Media announced on Thursday the launch of the ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum, set to take place on Dec. 18-19 in Riyadh.

The landmark event, announced by media minister Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari, will be Saudi Arabia’s largest gathering for influencers, digital content creators and industry experts, aimed at redefining the role of influence in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The forum is expected to bring together more than 300 influencers from around the world, spanning diverse fields and specializations.

Designed to foster meaningful dialogue between local and international talent, the forum will explore ways to enrich societal values, promote purpose-driven influence and share expertise, SPA added.

In total, the event will feature more than 40 programs, workshops and discussions.

One prominent discussion area, “Who is an Influencer?”, will tackle the evolution of the term in today’s digital world, where influencers are now expected to use their platforms responsibly.

Another focus, the “Purposeful Influence” track, will highlight influencers who leverage their platforms to address pressing global issues, from social justice to environmental advocacy.

Experts will delve into the future of social platforms, discussing trends such as artificial intelligence, interactive media, emerging social networks and the integration of virtual and augmented reality. Several leading international companies in AI, digital marketing and media will also participate, offering attendees insight into industry advancements and potential collaborative opportunities.

The forum will offer 12 hours of programming daily and is expected to attract a wide range of attendees, from seasoned influencers to aspiring digital creators, as well as representatives from government and the private sector.


Head of Saudi FDA signs cooperation deal during China visit

Updated 31 October 2024
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Head of Saudi FDA signs cooperation deal during China visit

  • Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey was accompanied by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi on a tour of several organizations
  • Delegation also visited the National Institute of Biological Sciences, whose chairman, Dr. Xiaodong Wang, gave a presentation on its research initiatives

RIYADH: The head of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority on Thursday signed a cooperation agreement with China’s National Medical Products Administration during a visit to Beijing.

Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, who will also attend the 8th Shenzhen Food Safety Forum while in China, was accompanied by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi on a tour of several organizations, including the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The delegation also met officials from the National Institute for Food and Drug Control to examine their regulatory operations and visited its affiliated bodies, including the Institute for Biological Product Control.

Discussions covered collaborative projects on developing vaccine oversight, biological alternatives, and innovative therapeutic products, such as gene and cellular therapies.

The Saudi delegation also visited the National Institute of Biological Sciences, whose chairman, Dr. Xiaodong Wang, gave a presentation on its research initiatives, drug discovery work and other developments.


Saudi minister promotes education sustainability at G20 meeting in Brazil

Updated 31 October 2024
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Saudi minister promotes education sustainability at G20 meeting in Brazil

  • Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan: School-community engagement in Saudi Arabia constitutes a fundamental element of our national strategy
  • Saudi Ministry of Education has established a department dedicated to community responsibility and volunteer work

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan has emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting sustainability in education and investment in skills, innovation and entrepreneurship to achieve a sustainable future for citizens and enhance global competitiveness for future generations.

Al-Benyan was speaking during the G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting in Fortaleza in Brazil, where he emphasized the Kingdom’s support of the goals and priorities of the Education Working Group.

He highlighted the importance of cooperation between schools and communities to provide students with experiences and resources that enhance the importance of learning for them.

Al-Benyan said that the engagement of educational institutions with the community enabled educators to meet the diverse needs of students and their families, promote inclusivity, and help students to develop into active citizens.

“School-community engagement in Saudi Arabia constitutes a fundamental element of our national strategy, as the Kingdom’s educational institutions understand the importance of connecting with the community — not just as recipients of volunteer efforts but also as active participants in societal development,” he said.

The Saudi Ministry of Education has established a department dedicated to community responsibility and volunteer work, focusing on integrating sustainable development goals into education and creating initiatives that address local needs.

Al-Benyan said that a new school evaluation index had been developed to assess community engagement effectively, with Vision 2030 setting ambitious targets for the non-profit sector, aiming to reach 10,000 community organizations, contribute more than 5 percent of GDP, and engage one million volunteers.

He added that the Kingdom had seen a more than 150 percent increase in educational non-profit organizations in 2024.

Al-Benyan also discussed two flagship projects aimed at supporting teachers — the National Institute for Professional Education Development and the Teachers Fund. The institute is focused on four key areas: teacher preparation, teacher development, leadership nurturing, and teacher advocacy.

He called for collaborative efforts to develop a new global perspective that ensured a just and sustainable future for all citizens.


First meeting of international alliance for two-state solution continues in Riyadh

Updated 31 October 2024
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First meeting of international alliance for two-state solution continues in Riyadh

  • Saudi deputy minister criticizes Israel’s violations of international, humanitarian law
  • Nations must engage in multilateral diplomatic efforts, Abdulrahman Al-Rassi says

RIYADH: International efforts to implement a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict gained momentum on Thursday, as senior diplomats gathered for a second day in Riyadh for the first meeting of a newly formed international alliance.

In his address, Saudi Deputy Minister for Multilateral International Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi stressed the urgency of the initiative amid ongoing violence in Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He criticized Israel’s violations of international and humanitarian law and expressed frustration at the international community’s response to the crisis. He noted the UN Security Council’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities and its stance against the Palestinian people’s moral and legal right to self-determination, as well as its failure to initiate a serious process for peace and prevent the expansion of regional conflict.

Al-Rassi stressed the importance of nations engaging in multilateral diplomatic efforts to achieve peace based on the two-state solution and end Israeli occupation. He referenced international law, UN resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative as fundamental frameworks, emphasizing the so-called land for peace principle that would enable Palestinians to live freely in an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on 1967 borders.

The deputy minister renewed Saudi Arabia’s invitation to peace-loving nations to join the alliance and praised the recent decisions of several countries to recognize Palestine. He urged other countries to similarly cite their support for Palestinian rights and the alliance itself in working to accelerate the implementation of the two-state solution and achieve peace.

Israel’s continued aggression against Palestinians would only expand regional conflict and threaten global stability, Al-Rassi said, and called on permanent Security Council members to use their authority to force Israel to cease its aggression and allow unrestricted humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

The deputy minister strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset’s decision to ban UNRWA operations, describing it as a violation of international law and a dangerous precedent that violated UN member states’ Charter obligations and thus undermined the multilateral international system.

“This is the occupying power’s latest action aimed at undermining Palestinian resilience in their homeland and attempting to forcibly displace Palestinians,” he said.

Al-Rassi reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for the UN relief agency and firmly rejected Israel’s systematic targeting of it and other and humanitarian organizations, along with the ongoing endangerment of its workers.

He concluded by expressing his optimism for the initiative and said that the support shown for it at the Riyadh meeting demonstrated a genuine desire for peace and an end to the “brutal war on Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories.”


Saudi Arabia condemns terror attack on Chadian military base

Updated 31 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia condemns terror attack on Chadian military base

  • Attack on military base in Chad’s Lake Chad region left at least 40 soldiers dead

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday strongly condemned a recent terrorist attack on a military base in Chad’s Lake Chad region, which left at least 40 Chadian soldiers dead.

The Ministry expressed its condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Chad, wishing those injured a swift recovery.

In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s opposition to all forms of violence and terrorism, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting international efforts to combat such threats, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The attack took place on Sunday evening on Barkaram Island in the Lake Chad basin area, which has experienced increasing militant activity in recent years.

Although no group has claimed responsibility, Chadian President Mahamat Deby has since launched a counter-mission aimed at tracking down those responsible.