When roadside billboards around Jeddah advertised one of the biggest art events in the Kingdom, one couldn’t have knowingly missed it. Given that all previous art weeks in the city were a hit, this year Jeddah Arts 21, 39 with attractions such as satellite dishes converted into art pieces, a life-sized kaleidoscope and hanging fiber glass leaves with acrylic, undoubtedly drew a discernibly massive crowd.
The Saudi Art Council (SAC) kickstarted its Jeddah Arts 21, 39 third annual exhibition under the theme ‘Earth and Ever After.’ The non-profit initiative ran a week-long art program and a set of art events featuring local and international artists.
Interestingly, this year’s exhibition inspiration for ‘Earth and Ever After’ comes from the Holy Qur’anic verses: “From this dust We created you, and in this We shall put you back, and from this, We shall raise you up once again.” (20:55) and “And Allah has made the Earth a spread for you, so that you may go about its broad ways.” (71:20).
The council is chaired by Princess Jawaher bint Majed bin Abdulaziz. Main curators heading the 2016 exhibition were Mona Khazindar and Hamza Serafi, who are also members of the Saudi Art Council.
“The aim of the exhibition is to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the Earth, to explore whether it is reconciled with each artist’s own personal bond and how an artist’s environment is inextricably bound to his sense of identity and roots,” said Khazindar.
The event features works of several contemporary Saudi and international artists. The exhibition saw a crowd of art aficionados and audiences that were engrossed in the manifested sculptures, paintings, photographs and art projects in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
Saudi artist Mohammad Haider’s artwork titled ‘Song of Campus’ spoke a thousand words. Made with tent canvas on wood outlining the world map, Haider’s piece had an amazing eye for detail.
Zahra Al-Ghamdi’s project titled ‘Cell of the Earth’ was an attention-grabbing piece of work made with a collection of cells taken from the Earth that represent a mixture of deep concepts forming the Earth’s core.
“My work is not a carbon copy of a real cell taken from Earth,” explains Al-Ghamdi. “It is an idea expressed through certain gestures, techniques and ores. My work is a symbolic depiction of these cells as they are analyzed by viewers’ naked eyes in hopes of discovering what Earth really is in their own perspective.”
A few masked men were miming and doing bits and pieces of silent drama every now and then during the proceedings of the event. Speaking to Anmar Baitalmal, we found out that a group of boys of the Humanity and Theater Club from University of Business and Technology call themselves the MACE, which is the abbreviation of mask and face. “We do theater and silent drama plays, which is something new in Saudi Arabia,” says Baitalmal, project manager of the club. “We do all these acts in silence because we want to send messages to people regarding social matters without having to say anything at all.”
Foreign art pieces showcased at 21, 39 this year included Italian-born Giovanni Ozzola’s famous chalk on stone artwork ‘Routes,’ Lebanese artist Ali Cherri’s lithograph and ink artwork ‘Paysages Tremblants’ and Syrian illustrator Boutros Al-Maari’s acrylic on canvas titled ‘Here is Damascus.’
Saddek Wasil created an interesting art piece with shopping carts portraying a symbol of consumerism and an essential necessity in modern man’s daily life. “Piling up shopping carts in a pyramid shape and adding the human element of emptiness signifies the economic fluctuations and the advent of commercial consumerism into social life which has led to the rise of other phenomena known as The Pyramid Principle,” expresses Wasil.
British/Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum had two fascinating pieces titled Coat Hanger and Plotting Table, both of which were on loan from a private art collector.
Although Hatoum’s Coat Hanger may seem like a whimsical piece at first glance, it is actually highly symbolic. A shredded map is assembled like a shopping bag and hung on a coat rack alongside a deformed coat hanger. “It transpires that this is an old map of Palestine, that features the Arabic names of Palestinian villages,” says Hatoum. “After Israel was established, the villages either disappeared or were recognized as entities by the Israelis. The piece is like an element of somebody who carries their identity or origins with them everywhere, like a shopping bag.”
Walking out of the exhibition territory, you bump into the eminent Homegrown Market, who played a pop-up gift shop for the 21, 39’s ‘Earth and Ever After’ exhibition. “We tried to stay within the theme of the exhibition, so a lot of products featured here are either art inspired or to do with the environment and are also environmentally-friendly,” said its founder Tamara Khadra.
Khadra’s platform was an inspiring one featuring organic and handmade products, promoting local and regional designers. “Although there is a lot of talent in the region, it’s either that most of them cannot afford to have their own stores or they don’t have the time or capability to run the store. So, we facilitate that for them.”
It didn’t stop there! The following day featured the Al-Hangar exhibition at Saudi Arabia’s historic area of Al-Balad and an exhibition at Tasami Gallery. Meanwhile, Athr Gallery presented two solo exhibitions namely ‘Show Me the Light’ by Palestinian artist Ayman Yossri Daydban and ‘The Whole Truth’ by renowned Lebanese/British artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan.
In the art series was a preview of ‘Izn Praise of Hands’ that was hosted by one of the main sponsors of 21, 39 program, Van Cleef & Arpels.
As part of the art week, SAC sponsored a tour of the Old town of Al-Balad where historic buildings, including Waqf Al-Khunji Al-Kabeer, are being renovated and converted to an arts and cultural center by the council.
Prominent Hijazi architecture fanatic Ahmad Sami Angawi collaborated with Athr Gallery to showcase his first solo exhibition titled, ‘Al-Mangour; Loved & Beloved’ in the city of Al-Balad. The exhibition shone light on the beauty of Al-Mangour, a forgotten Hijazi craft, through the documentation and analysis of the creation process.
A solo exhibition titled ‘The Everlasting Now’ by Emy Kat and curated by Hamza Serafi was the final exhibition in the series of art events. “21,39 is the highlight of the year for art lovers in Jeddah and presents a unique opportunity to showcase the work of today’s most talented artists in cooperation with leading art galleries in Jeddah,” said Serafi.
“The Saudi Art Council is a group of local art enthusiasts who contribute to the local community through the promotion of art and culture in Jeddah,” explains Mohammed Hafiz, Vice Chairman of SAC. “By organizing 21,39 we are enabling contemporary artists to present their creations to a wider audience than they would otherwise reach, while giving Jeddah’s art enthusiasts a whole week in which to enjoy and celebrate the universal language of art.”
Following last year’s success of 21,39 the council subsidized guided tours of the main exhibitions to around 5,000 students from 200 schools.
Commenting on the ‘Earth and Ever After’ exhibition theme, UBS — a partner of SAC, said “This year’s theme, the abundance and beauty of the earth, couldn’t be more timely. It invited us to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the Earth as well as how an artist’s environment is inextricably bound to a sense of identity and roots.”
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Jeddah Arts 21, 39: Man’s relationship with Earth in spotlight
Jeddah Arts 21, 39: Man’s relationship with Earth in spotlight
Ancient Italian masterpieces arrive in AlUla for first regional exhibit at Maraya
DUBAI: The Royal Commission for AlUla has partnered with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to bring ancient masterpieces from its renowned collection to Saudi Arabia and the region for the first time.
The agreement between RCU and MANN will facilitate the transport of a curated collection of artifacts from Naples to AlUla for the “Masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples” exhibit.
This exhibit, a highlight of AlUla’s 2024 Ancient Kingdoms Festival, is on display at Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building, until Dec. 14.
Fifteen masterpieces from ancient sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome are being presented to a regional audience for the first time, marking a historic debut outside Italy.
The Nilotic Mosaic, displayed abroad only once before in Japan, will also be featured.
Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani, vice president of culture at the RCU, said: “The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is a repository of masterpieces that reveal the wonders and richly interconnected stories that helped shaped the ancient world — key among them are Nabataean artifacts including alters and inscriptions dedicated to the Nabataean chief deity Dushares that show the extent of that civilization, from AlUla in northwest Arabia to the shores of southern Europe.”
“It’s a privilege for RCU to host the masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples exhibit and to display its wonderful collection of ancient artifacts for the first time in the region as we build toward an exciting calendar of cultural events, including the AlUla World Archaeological Symposium and the Ancient Kingdom’s Festival,” he said.
Michael Buble to perform in Abu Dhabi
DUBAI: Globally acclaimed artist Michael Buble will perform in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 16, 2025, during the second edition of Saadiyat Nights.
The Canadian singer-songwriter joins an impressive lineup for the three-month outdoor concert series.
The performers include pop icon Robbie Williams on Dec. 28, Iranian music legend Ebi on Jan. 4, American vocal harmony group Boyz II Men on Jan. 25, Egypt’s renowned composer Omar Khairat on Feb. 1, and US pop sensation Christina Aguilera on Feb. 15.
Buble, celebrated for his signature blend of swing and jazz, has delighted fans around the world with hits including “Home,” “Sway,” and his rendition of “Feeling Good.”
The Grammy Award-winning artist has sold over 75 million albums globally, making his upcoming performance a highly anticipated event.
Saudi artist Fatimah Al-Nemer discusses her female-centric works and the ‘universe within’ Arab women
DUBAI: Saudi artist Fatimah Al-Nemer has devoted herself to depicting narratives of women through her multimedia art, which merges collage, photography and tapestry. From childhood, her life was shaped by the female presence, she says, whether that meant family members or characters in legends.
Al-Nemer comes from Al-Qatif in the Eastern Province, one of the oldest cities in the Kingdom. “Imagine,” she says, “it’s an area that existed 600 years before Jesus.” She now lives on Tarout Island just off the coast of Al-Qatif. The island’s name is possibly derived from Ishtar, the Mesopotamian goddess of love and war — it was here that she was expelled, abandoned by her community.
Al-Nemer claims that every household in her hometown holds some form of artist within its walls. “Al-Qatif’s rich cultural history affected us all,” she says. “It was a magical city, attracting tradespeople from Persia and Anatolia. We grew up with these stories.”
Her mother, who had an eye for design, was her earliest supporter. She provided her daughter with art materials and didn’t even scold her for painting on the walls of their family home. “She even paid for my art classes,” Al-Nemer says. “She always called me the artist of the family. If my mother wasn’t by my side, it would have been impossible for me to become an artist.”
For the young Al-Nemer, drawing and painting was her only outlet for self-expression. “As a child, I was fearful and endured social anxiety, so I would only express myself through art,” she says. “It boosted my confidence. I used to draw on walls and on paper. If I was sad or happy, I would draw about what was making me feel that way. I was impacted by art and it became a language for me.”
By the time she was 18, Al-Nemer had shifted from taking art classes to teaching them, and had already participated in some exhibitions. She also worked as a jewelry designer in a gold factory. And in 2009 she took the decision to travel abroad to further her studies.
She went to Jordan, where she enrolled as an interior design student at the Philadelphia University in Amman, exposing herself to a cultural openness offered by the capital city.
“In Jordan, people were highly cultured. Its environment was rich with artists and poets. You’re not just studying art there, you’re also going to the theater. I even performed there,” she says.
In the early days of her art career, Al-Nemer experimented with oil paintings and charcoal, depicting classical, surrealistic and symbolist scenes. At one point, she was solely making self-portraits, which she says caused some issues with family members and others, particularly when they were published in magazines and newspapers.
“I think I was saying: ‘I am Fatimah. Accept me for who I am. I am an artist and I represent this identity and my culture and I am proud of it,’” she explains.
Eventually, though, she expanded her focus to include women other than herself. She has been inspired by personal stories from fellow Saudi women. “I used to listen and live their stories as if I was the heroine of their tales,” she says.
In her large, detailed, carpet-like artworks, which are full of ornamentation and native cultural symbols, she pays tribute to Saudi and Arab women, adorned in traditional attire while holding objects related to her homeland, such as a musical instrument or an incense burner. They reflect her attachment to her roots.
“I try to embody the Arab woman with certain admirable qualities. She is the butterfly, the mother, the sister, the doctor. She is the giver,” says Al-Nemer. “She is not just a figure; there is a universe within her. It is like a letter of appreciation for all that she stands for and has given to society.”
She also treats these images, which she started making nearly a decade ago, as research-like documentation of traditional Saudi dress and cultural symbolism, focusing on specific areas of the Kingdom (beginning, of course, with her own hometown).
Often, she depicts women with their mouths or eyes covered. In part, this is to encourage viewers to focus on the details surrounding the women in her portraits, but it also reflects some of the creative limitations she experienced when younger, when it was frowned upon to make figurative art in the Kingdom. Now, however, as Saudi Arabia opens up, she feels more free in her practice.
“As artists, our lives have changed 180 degrees,” she says of the current Saudi cultural scene. “Art has become more than a profession.”
Off the beaten track in Sri Lanka
- New visa rules have made it easier than ever for Gulf tourists to visit the island nation
TORONTO: Sri Lanka has long been a favored destination for visitors from the Gulf. Easy access, budget-friendly offerings, and diverse experiences – from cultural and historic landmarks to idyllic beach resorts and scenic treks – make it an ideal getaway destination. And now, there’s one more reason for Saudis to take a trip to the island nation. Last month, the Sri Lankan government announced that residents of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and 31 other countries can now visit without a visa.
The capital, Colombo, is probably the most popular destination in Sri Lanka, along with Kandy and Ella, but the less-frequented areas in the central and southern regions of the country are well worth considering.
My Sri Lanka trip started in Hatton, in the Nuwara Eliya region. Often called “Little England,” the region is a reminder of the country’s former colonial rule, with Tudor-style architecture and sprawling tea estates named after their former British proprietors.
The central province is home to Sri Lanka’s renowned tea highlands. Tea is an integral part of the island’s history and culture — as its former name, Ceylon, suggests.
My encounter with Ceylon tea starts at the Dunkeld Tea Factory, owned by The Dilmah Group, a family-run business that has become a global name. The tea is single-origin — meaning it is picked, cultivated, and packed from the lush, rolling terraces of the region. The tour takes guests through the history of Ceylon tea, which actually began with coffee plantations in the 18th century. But leaf disease devastated those plantations, leading to the demise of the short-lived coffee industry in Sri Lanka. In 1867, James Taylor, a Scottish man, planted the first tea clearing in Kandy. By the late 19th century, the country had become one of the largest tea producers in the world. Guests are also invited to a tea-tasting experience, including the Orange Pekoe, the robust tea blend that is a specialty of the region.
I stayed at Summerville, one of the five palatial bungalows once home to English plantation owners which have now been refurbished into boutique properties by the Ceylon Tea Trails Hotel under the Resplendent Ceylon Group. Perched at nearly 4,000 feet and set across 2,000 hectares, the bungalows are perfect for those seeking a slow, luxurious vacation. Guests can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the emerald hilltops from various vantage points or unwind in the several tranquil lounge spaces scattered throughout the bungalows. Or — with a private chef and butler on hand — choose to indulge in a five-course dinner that features the likes of a Yatawatte tea-infused roasted chicken or the Earl Gray fondant.
The tea trails, ranging from four to 15 kilometers long, connect the various bungalows, offering scenic hikes through the valleys. For those seeking adventure, the newly-inaugurated Pekoe Trail (a 300-km route with 22 phases) allows tourists to explore the rich biodiversity of the area. This trail can be experienced on foot or by rail.
The next leg of my trip was drastically different. As we were making our way down from the central region to Sri Lanka’s southern tip, the hilltops, winding roads, and cool weather gave way to palm trees, speedy tuk-tuks, and tropical weather.
In the Hambantota district, the biggest draw is undoubtedly Yala National Park, the second largest national park of the country, and the one with the highest density of leopards. An early morning or afternoon game drive provides ample opportunities to spot wildlife, including the elusive leopard, sloth bears, and elephants.
After the adrenaline rush of a wildlife safari, I head to our ‘glamping’ lodge — the Wild Coast Tented Lodge, another one of Resplendent Ceylon’s properties. The luxury camp is unfenced and wildlife will often wander into the premises from the park, giving guests a sometimes-gleeful, sometimes-terrifying experience.
The lodge itself is an architectural delight, focusing on sustainable design and the use of organic materials, including bamboo. It includes 28 “cocoons” or pods scattered throughout the jungle wilderness. The interiors feature rustic touches like cooper hardware, a leopard-claw bathtub, and vintage leather furniture.
It’s also here that the jungle meets the Indian Ocean. As I wandered along the rugged coastline or enjoyed a sundowner, I was once again reminded of the serenity that Sri Lanka has to offer.
Best and Worst: Saudi gamer Xzit Thamer talks gaming, favorite shows
DUBAI: The Saudi gamer, streamer and social media personality talks gaming, favorite shows and how to have a productive day.
Best TV show you’ve seen?
“The Walking Dead.” They knew how to make a story about zombies and survival horror in a very good way. I've watched a lot of things related to zombies, but the story for “The Walking Dead” was perfect.
Worst TV show you’ve seen?
“Friends.” It felt very fake. I hate it so much.
Best advice for an up-and-coming gamer/streamer?
Don’t give up. Consistency is the key. I've been creating content for more than 11 years now. It took me six years to get to a million followers — it took me so many years to succeed. But I didn't give up. And I was consistent. So keep trying. Keep pushing.
Worst advice for an up-and-coming gamer/streamer?
To change what you’re doing. Like, I'm a gamer; if I change my content to something else that I don't love, I wouldn’t succeed.
Best advice you've ever been given?
Don’t overthink. You know what you know. Just get started.
Worst advice you've ever been given?
I was told I was wasting my time.
Best game you’ve ever played?
“Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” It has the best storyline. It’s about someone who left home to start a new life and then his mom dies and he has to come back to try and fix things. It also has cool gameplay and it’s the game that made me famous on streaming.
Worst game you’ve ever played?
I hate all horror games. I played “Resident Evil” when I was very young and it was so scary that I threw the disc off the top of my building. I was so traumatized.
Best gaming console?
The PlayStation 5. I don’t see the PS5 as a console, I see it as a family member or, like, a teacher. I learned to speak English back in the day because of the PlayStation. I kept a small dictionary with me — this was before I had the internet — so I could understand the games I was playing. Now, after all these years, I’m part of the PlayStation Playmakers team.
Worst gaming console?
It’s not a console but I don’t enjoy PC gaming. It’s got great graphics and everything but it’s not very comfortable for playing games. It’s not as fun.
Best subject at school?
Sports. I loved playing football. And, to be honest, I loved sports because then I didn’t have to be studying.
Worst subject at school?
I sucked at maths. Never got it.
Best holiday destination?
My favorite city is Dubai. I love going there. I’ve been there more than 30 times. I just can’t get enough. It’s the perfect city.
Worst holiday destination?
I went to Italy and I found it so boring. Plus, the food wasn’t great and, if you’re travelling, good food is a must.
Best way to have a productive day?
Wake up early. If I wake up late, I’m in a bad mood. I’m usually up between 5 or 6 a.m.
Worst way to have a productive day?
Overthinking. If you get stuck thinking about a bad interaction or incident, you know you’re going to kill your time.
