RIYADH: Qiddiya Investment Company has unveiled a new performing arts center as an addition to Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural landscape.
The center, expected to attract more than 800,000 visits each year, will enhance the attractions within the newly announced Qiddiya City. An official statement said it would redefine the cultural experience for residents and visitors alike with its architecture, pioneering technology, and commitment to artistic innovation.
The center’s unveiling follows the announcement of other entertainment, sporting and cultural attractions, including a multi-use gaming and esports district, the multi-sports Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, motorsport track, Dragon Ball theme park and Aquarabia, the first water theme park of its kind in the Kingdom.
Abdullah Al-Dawood, managing director of Qiddiya Investment Company, said: “Qiddiya City is more than just the home of entertainment and sports, it is also a leader in the preservation and promotion of Saudi culture. For this reason, we are thrilled to announce the addition of the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre to Qiddiya City. It will be a beacon of creativity and innovation that will elevate Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape to new heights. With its ground-breaking modern design, pioneering technology, and commitment to nurturing talent, the centre embodies the spirit of Qiddiya City as a place where imagination knows no bounds.”
Dr. Osama Ghanem Al-Obaidy, a professor from the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News: “The new performing arts center is a significant cultural initiative that will contribute to the promotion of Saudi culture and heritage to both residents and foreign visitors alike. It will allow the year-round enjoyment of community, cultural and entertainment areas showcasing various aspects of Saudi culture, including music, dancing, and folk arts.
“It will provide a platform for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to show their talents through diverse cultural events,” he added.
He added the center was testament to the city’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation as it would host over 260 indoor and outdoor performances and events every year.
With over 3,000 seats spread across three theatres, each will offer a 360-degree experience merging physical and digital elements. A cantilevered amphitheater offers breathtaking views of the City’s lower plateau with a fully adaptable 500-seat venue suspended from above.
The center will serve as an incubator for young Saudi talent, providing educational opportunities and resources to nurture the next generation of writers, producers and actors. It will stimulate economic growth by creating thousands of career opportunities across the creative and cultural sectors.
Beyond the performance spaces, the center will act as a vibrant community hub, inviting residents and visitors to explore dining, retail and educational entertainment options.
A rooftop sky garden, art galleries and green spaces will extend the cultural experience, while its iconic architecture will serve as a symbol of civic identity.
Qiddiya unveils new performing arts center
https://arab.news/bqpdw
Qiddiya unveils new performing arts center
- The center will host over 260 indoor and outdoor performances each year
- It will serve as an incubator for young Saudis, providing educational opportunities and resources to nurture the next generation of writers, producers, and actors
Saudi culture, landscape in the spotlight at Riyadh showcase
- 15 local, global artists present work inspired by fusion of visual arts, fashion
RIYADH: The open studio at the second Intermix Residency offers entry into a realm of creative exploration in which artists from across the globe put the Kingdom’s natural landscapes and cultural elements at the center of their work.
Some 15 creators worked together over 10 weeks to develop their own artistic vision inspired by the fusion of visual arts and fashion, and centered around themes of transformation, innovation, and sustainability.
Italian visual artist Ivo Cotani told Arab News: “The residency (has) pushed me forward a lot. I’ve seen (it) not just in my productions, but (by) being myself in my art. I feel more mature and comfortable with what I’m doing.”
His artwork “I Am Nature” is a combination of various mediums and is inspired by local flora and fauna. His studio showcases small ceramic sculptures of oryxes, camels, eagles and other animals, abstract floral paintings, and animal-like flower masks made with the help of two artisans.
HIGHLIGHT
The Intermix Residency program is fully funded and initiated by Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission in collaboration with the Fashion Commission, and hosted in JAX District within Diriyah.
He added: “Whenever I work, I’m always relating to the land in some way. I have been looking at nature and the desert, and I also visited AlUla and saw the tombs and eagles there. From there I started creating and studying the animals of the desert. I was thinking of embodying nature in some way, and then I thought of masks.”
The open studio’s artworks delve into the intricacies of human experience, exploring how individuals embody memories, emotions, and interpretive codes that shape relationships between oneself, daily life, and the natural world, producing an archive of experiments, research, and possibilities.
Saudi visual artist Maram Alsuliman’s “Fragments of the Missing” reflects her background and interest in tradition. She investigates the why, how, and impact of forgotten, discontinued traditions, which are only temporarily preserved through oral transmission.
She told Arab News: “My family’s from Najran but I was born and raised in Jeddah, so I’ve always had this curiosity to know more about Najran. While it’s even difficult for me to learn about it, though my parents are from there, how will others learn? I’ve felt like it’s my responsibility to document and tell people about it through my art.”
Mirroring the residency’s sustainability theme, she uses objects that are discarded, like date seeds and broken coffee cups, to create abstract shapes that are then screen printed onto bags. The natural black dye is made from broken-down date seeds.
Alsuliman added: “My dad used to bring dates back from Najran in these plastic bags. For him he was carrying food, but I wanted to use them to carry my traditions.”
Alla Alsahli, a Syrian Palestinian designer born and raised in the US, incorporates material manipulation and repetition to tell stories that are rooted in culture and space.
Her Intermix project explores the idea of preservation through architecture in Riyadh and beyond. Inspired by the triangular geometrical patterns of Najdi traditional mud buildings, Alsahli creates fashion pieces out of clay, rope and fabric.
Her first ensemble joins each handmade ceramic piece with thread to hold it together. The other is constructed using the throw-away muslin fabric, which is used as a prototype by most designers, linked together by rope. The process of connecting each element to the other symbolizes a hope of preservation.
As architecture goes through phases, construction followed by deconstruction, so the art mirrors the process.
She told Arab News: “The reconstruction phase — which is when people are trying to revive and bring that space back to life — we see that a lot here in Riyadh with Diriyah and Al-Bujairi where a lot of people want to hold on to that culture and style because it's so significant to Najd. I wanted to translate that into fashion to showcase the idea of reconstruction.
“When I started the project, I was thinking about Saudi Arabia a lot, but I felt bad for not relating it to myself and my identity. When I started thinking about myself more, I thought about Syria and Palestine and that’s where the idea of ruins and preservation came from.”
The program's mission is to foster a shared visual language that celebrates the expressive potential of both visual arts and fashion design.
Kuwaiti artist Maha Alasaker focuses on the relationship between nature and culture, with a particular emphasis on the natural colors that can be extracted from the land. This led her to investigate herbal medicines and their historic use in pain management for women.
She presents a live ongoing performance using her own body as a loom for weaving as she contemplates the complex relationship between body and land.
While Egyptian fashion designer Somaia Abolezz’s abstract wearable installations demonstrate elements of the caravan journey from Egypt to Makkah, Saudi artist Um Kalthoom Al-Alawi’s “Images of Memory” investigates what lies hidden and what is revealed through printed patterns on fabric.
The Intermix Residency program is fully funded and initiated by Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission in collaboration with the Fashion Commission, and hosted in JAX District within Diriyah.
It aims to provide emerging and mid-career Saudi nationals, residents, and international visual artists, fashion designers, and curators with a platform to innovate, experiment, and collaborate in a supportive creative environment.
Guggenheim Museum acquires works by Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim
DUBAI: New York’s Guggenheim Museum has acquired five works by Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, according to a statement by his representing gallery, Lawrie Shabibi, in Dubai.
Ibrahim, a prominent figure in UAE contemporary art, is known for his abstract and organic sculptures, many inspired by a deep connection to the local environment, particularly that of his hometown of Khor Fakkan, on the Gulf of Oman.
In 2022, Ibrahim presented his work at the National Pavilion UAE exhibition at the Venice Biennale. The exhibition celebrated his 40-year career, underscoring his status as a leading experimental artist from the UAE.
Queen Rania celebrates Crown Prince Hussein’s birthday with a portrait featuring Princess Rajwa
DUBAI: Jordan’s Queen Rania celebrated her son Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah’s birthday on Instagram with a newly released portrait of him and his wife, Princess Rajwa.
In the photo, the pregnant Princess Rajwa, who is Saudi, is seen wearing a light, creamy yellow midi dress from the Spanish brand Rabanne. The dress features short sleeves, a round neckline and a gathered detail along one side, adorned with a row of buttons.
The crown prince was wearing a navy blue shirt and matching trousers.
“Happy birthday my dearest Hussein. Can’t wait to see you and Rajwa as parents,” the queen captioned the post.
The royal couple, who announced their pregnancy in April, are expecting their first child this summer.
The hottest music festivals of 2024
- Make your summer travel plans with music in mind
Rock Werchter
Where: Werchter, Belgium
When: July 4-7
What: It might be staged in a quiet village, but Rock Werchter is making a lot of noise on the European festival circuit. It’s been running since 1976, and this year’s eclectic four-day lineup — spread over four stages — shows how respected it has become. Main stage headliners include US rocker Lenny Kravitz, Eurovision winners Måneskin, UK indie legend PJ Harvey, pop princess Dua Lipa, rock giants Foo Fighters (pictured), the genre-bending Khruangbin, and Mercury-prize winner Arlo Parks.
Other must-see acts: Michael Kiwanuka, Jungle, Snow Patrol, Black Pumas, The Breeders, Idles, Royal Blood, Yungblud, Tom Odell
NOS Alive Lisbon
Where: Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Portugal
When: July 11-13
What: With headliners including Arcade Fire, Smashing Pumpkins, and Pearl Jam, NOS Alive will be one of the top picks for ageing alt-rock fans this year. But if that’s not your thing, this festival — tagline “Beach by day, music by night” — still has plenty to offer. Dua Lipa (pictured), again, for one, as well as South African singer-songwriter Tyla, whose blend of pop and amapiano has already won her a slew of awards and nominations at just 22.
Other must-see acts: Jessie Ware, Black Pumas, Sofi Tukker, The Breeders, Michael Kiwanuka, Kenya Grace
Wireless
Where: Finsbury Park, London
When: July 12-14
What: One of Europe’s top hip-hop (and associated genres) get-togethers, this year’s lineup boasts headliners including Nicki Minaj, US-based British rapper 21 Savage, Afroswing pioneer J Hus, three-time Grammy winner Future, pop/rap superstar Doja Cat (pictured), and one of last year’s breakout stars, Ice Spice, over the course of its three days.
Other must-see acts: Sean Paul, Destroy Lonely, Tyla, Uncle Waffles, OsamaSon, Vanessa Bling
Minnesota Yacht Club
Where: St. Paul, Minnesota
When: July 19-20
What: For a festival in its first year, the inaugural edition of the Minnesota Yacht Club event has an impressive, though relatively small, lineup of 20 artists over its two days on the banks of the Mississippi. One of the festival’s USPs is that none of the performances overlap, meaning you’ll be able to catch them all. Don’t expect any cutting-edge underground acts here; the vast majority of the lineup consists of veterans, including headliners Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morissette, and Red Hot Chili Peppers (pictured).
Other must-see acts: The Black Crowes, The Head and The Heart, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Offspring, Gary Clark Jr., The Hold Steady
Electric Castle
Where: Cluj, Romania
When: July 17-21
What: In 2019, Electric Castle was named Best Medium-Sized Festival at the European Festival Awards. Its stunning location — in the grounds of Bánffy Castle, the architectural mishmash of which reflects the open-minded approach the festival organizers take to genres — helps, but its also the mix of 10 stages of great acts, art installations, and round-the-clock activities that make this such a rewarding experience for attendees. This year’s headliners include UK trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack, Seattle rockers Queens of the Stone Age, British rock band Bring Me the Horizon, and electronic duo Chase & Status.
Other must-see acts: Paolo Nutini, Nina Kraviz, Rema, Ricardo Villalobos, Sleaford Mods, DJ Shadow
Lollapalooza
Where: Chicago, US
When: Aug 1-4
What: It may not be the haven for outsiders that it originally was, for audience or performers, but Lollapalooza remains an enormously significant event for both. This year’s lineup is a typical blend of acclaimed indie acts and commercial big-hitters. And, often, a combination of the two. Headliners include Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, The Killers, Blink-182, Melanie Martinez (pictured), Hozier, Stray Kids, and Future & Metro Boomin.
Other must-see acts: Deftones, Killer Mike, Conan Grey, Two Door Cinema Club, Nico Vega, Lizzy McAlpine, Jungle, Kesha, Tyla, Renée Rapp
Flow Festival
Where: Helsinki, Finland
When: Aug 9-11
What: Billed as the world’s “first carbon-neutral festival,” Flow is a festival of both music and visual arts (and some pretty great food options). Music-wise, the line-up mostly covers pop and indie, alongside DJ sets and some more experimental acts. This year’s 20th anniversary edition will see around 150 acts performing, with headliners including UK downtempo pop producer Fred again, US singer-songwriter Halsey, English alt-folk/alt-rock legend PJ Harvey (pictured), Jessie Ware, Britpop stars Pulp, and UK singer-songwriter RAYE, whose debut LP “My 21st Century Blues” won the most-recent BRIT Awards’ Album of the Year. There’s some regional representation further down the bill from Palestinian-Jordanian ‘Shamstep’ pioneers 47Soul.
Other must-see acts: Janelle Monáe, Idles, Aurora, The Smile, Alvvays, Barry Can’t Swim
Creamfields
Where: Daresbury, UK
When: August 22-25
What: Arguably the biggest dance-music festival on the calendar, Creamfields is only getting bigger. This year sees the debut of its new indoor stage, APEX, which has a capacity of 30,000. And it continues to deliver lineups packed with the world’s most-popular DJs. This year’s includes Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Jamie Jones, Sub Focus, Peggy Gou (pictured), Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, and Eric Prydz, among many others.
Other must-see acts: Dimension, Charlie Sparks, Solomun, Charlotte de Witte, Martin Garrix, Chase & Status, Hannah Laing
Fool in Love
Where: Inglewood, California
When: Aug 31
What: Another brand-new festival, but this one is looking back for its future. It’s a one-day event to start with, but has a crazy roster of music legends lined up harking back to the heydays of Motown, disco, funk, and smooth Eighties pop. The headliners across three stages are Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson (pictured), Durand Jones & The Indications, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, and Kool & The Gang, but many more icons appear further down the bill.
Other must-see acts: Al Green, Rose Royce, The Chi-Lites, The Isley Brothers, Santana, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, The Jacksons, Dionne Warwick
3 highlights from HIPA’s recent Instagram contests
DUBAI: Here are some highlights from HIPA’s recent Instagram contests.
Heigen G. Villacarlos
The UAE-based Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award has revealed the winners of its recent Instagram competitions — “Culture,” “Contrast,” and “High Key.” Filipino photographer Villacarlos was one of the winners in the latter for this shot taken at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Station, capturing its “beautiful interior structure.”
Mohammed Suliman Alfaleh
The Saudi photographer topped the “Culture” category for this photo of a Kara tribesman in southern Ethiopia’s Omo Valley. “The man’s body is decorated with carvings for the purpose of expelling demons, in accordance with their beliefs,” Alfaleh explained in a statement. It’s his third HIPA win. “Each victory inspires me to seek out new stories,” he said.
Abdelkader Said Allam
For his winning image in the “Contrast” category, the Egyptian photographer returned to a favorite spot: the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. “While I have photographed this structure many times, this particular image captures the perfect interplay of sunlight and shadow, allowing me to realize my vision of the building’s aesthetic,” Allam said in a statement.
