Bienalsur 2023 Brings Global Contemporary Art to Riyadh
The Saudi Ministry of Culture kicked off the third Bienalsur at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, known as SAMoCA, in Riyadh. The theme for this year is "Imagine: Fantasies, Dreams, Utopias," featuring 26 artists from Saudi Arabia and other countries, including well-known names like Daniel Buren, Leila Tschopp, Julio Le Parc, and Shahd Youssef. The artworks are displayed not just inside SAMoCA but also across the JAX District, enhancing the viewing experience. There's also a related exhibition called "Blur the Borders" at Fenaa Alawwal's cultural center in the Diplomatic Quarter, showcasing photos from six photographers from Saudi Arabia, France, and Argentina. This Bienalsur, which previously took place in 2019 and 2021, is open to the public for free until December 31, 2023, but visitors need to register in advance.
Key facts
- Third edition of Bienalsur inaugurated at SAMoCA in Riyadh.
- Exhibition titled 'Imagine: Fantasies, Dreams, Utopias' features 26 artists.
- Artists include Daniel Buren, Leila Tschopp, Julio Le Parc, and Shahd Youssef.
- Works displayed inside SAMoCA and throughout JAX District.
- Parallel exhibition 'Blur the Borders' at Fenaa Alawwal in Diplomatic Quarter.
- Photographers from Saudi Arabia, France, and Argentina participated in cross-residencies.
- Saudi Arabia first hosted Bienalsur in 2019 at the National Museum.
- Exhibition is free and open until December 31, 2023, with registration required.
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Buren
- Leila Tschopp
- Joaquin Fargas
- Marie Orensanz
- Saad Alhowede
- Julio Le Parc
- Ugo Schiavi
- Leandro Elrich
- Charly Nijensohn
- Bernardi Roig
- Shahd Youssef
- Sara Abdu
- Nelo Akamatsu
- Hatem Al Ahmad
- Saeed Gebaan
- Meshal Al-Obaidallah
- Ali Kazma
- Barabara Sanchez Barroso
- Cristina Lucas
- Marc Vilanova
- Moath Alofi
- Tasneem Alsultan
- Nicolás Janowski
- Laura Glusman
- Sebastien Arrighi
- Laetizia Debain
Institutions
- Saudi Ministry of Culture
- Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA)
- Fenaa Alawwal
- National Museum (Riyadh)
- Khuzam Palace (Jeddah)
- Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA)
- International Biennial of Contemporary Art of the South (Bienalsur)
Locations
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia
- JAX District
- Diplomatic Quarter
- Jeddah
- France
- Argentina
- Spain
- Japan
- Syria
- Türkiye
- Yemen
- Diriyah