Baseqat: The Palm Tree Exhibition at Ithra Celebrates Date Palm Heritage
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, has unveiled the Baseqat: The Palm Tree Exhibition. Curated by Samer Yamani and Razan Masri, the exhibit features 15 pieces from 25 artists and showcases the cultural importance of the date palm. It includes six distinct sections and an amphitheater screening “Sa’fa,” a short film by Mahmoud Kaabour. Saudi Arabia, with over 33 million date palms, houses 27% of the global population. Additionally, from October 3 to 14, the Khoos Initiative will provide a residency focused on community involvement, as highlighted by Farah Abushullaih from Ithra.
Key facts
- Baseqat: The Palm Tree Exhibition is presented by King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).
- Curated by Samer Yamani and Razan Masri.
- Features 15 works by 25 artists.
- Opens in Ithra’s Great Hall.
- Name derived from Quranic verse Surah Qaf:10.
- Saudi Arabia has over 33 million palm trees (27% of world total).
- Al-Ahsa Oasis hosts over 2.5 million trees, largest date palm oasis.
- Obaid Alsafi won the 2023 Ithra Art Prize sixth edition.
Entities
Artists
- Samer Yamani
- Razan Masri
- Mahmoud Kaabour
- Fatimah Al Nemer
- Mohamed Amine Hamouda
- Daniel Valero – Mestiz
- Abdulla Buhijji
- Noor Alwan
- Yasmine Sfar
- Mehdi Kebaier
- Shahira Fahmy
- Sumaya Shelbi
- Obaid Alsafi
- Amina Agueznay
- Gabriela Sagarminaga Roldán
- Carolin Schelkle
- Bashaer Hawsawi
- Farah Abushullaih
Institutions
- King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra)
- Ithra Museum
- UNESCO
Locations
- Dhahran
- Saudi Arabia
- Eastern Province
- Al-Ahsa Oasis
- Mexico
- Tunisia
- Bahrain
- Morocco
- Spain
- Germany
- Egypt