The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be participating in the upcoming 58th annual celebration of art in Venice, taking place from May 11 – November 24. The participation is being overseen by the country’s culture ministry and the Misk Art Institute. The exhibition will champion the themes of ‘after an illusion’ as well as, ‘art in times of crises’.
According to news announced by the Saudi Press Agency, the country’s pavilion will be supervised by the Ministry of Culture and implemented by the Misk Art Institute, an organization under the Misk Foundation – established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Saudi Culture Minister Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan said that the Kingdom’s participation at the Biennale is in parallel with the government’s initiative to promote the country’s culture and its various arts.
Cultural exchange has long served as the best ambassador between nations and peoples over the past centuries, the official added whilst stressing that its faculties have bridged the gap between civilizations throughout history.
He pointed out that Saudi partaking in this event emphasizes the Kingdom’s political, historical and cultural importance on an international scale.
Misk, marking the event, is planning to issue a special booklet named after one of the exhibition’s themes, ‘after an illusion’, and which documents works put to display and communicates the message intended by the Saudi pavilion.
It also offers an introduction for the development of cultural and artistic work in Saudi Arabia and future aspirations sought in this field. Reviews from a number of local and international intellectuals will also be included.
The book also mirrors the Biennale’s title ‘May You Live in Interesting Times’ --which is said to refer to a Chinese saying that relates to periods of uncertainty, crisis and turmoil--by reflecting on Saudi culture and having a positive take on "uncertainty" as a gateway for openness, transformation, and survival.
