Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah questions the purpose of canons amid global deconstruction efforts
The Islamic Arts Biennale's second edition in Jeddah provocatively questions the relevance of a canon in today's context. This question arises as universities in America and Europe confront their foundational texts, with students and faculty advocating for a more inclusive cultural narrative. Concurrently, museums and art institutions are revisiting their collections to highlight neglected stories, striving for an ethical representation of the global majority. Although deconstruction is a valid intellectual endeavor, it has led to a lack of shared reference points for developing new ideas. This biennale reflects a significant cultural transition, addressing the dismantling of deep-seated biases while revealing the uncertainty surrounding common ground. By emphasizing Islamic arts, it enriches discussions on representation and memory in modern settings, coinciding with efforts to expand cultural frameworks beyond conventional Western canons.
Key facts
- The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale took place in Jeddah.
- It raises the question of what a canon is good for.
- American and European higher education institutions have been dismantling canons in recent decades.
- Students and professors contest cornerstone texts to foster a more comprehensive cultural memory.
- Museums and art establishments are mining collections to present forgotten or disregarded narratives.
- These efforts aim to better and morally represent a global majority.
- Deconstruction has left the art world lacking a common ground for imagining alternative ways of seeing.
- The biennale occurs within a cultural framework of challenging entrenched biases.
Entities
Institutions
- Islamic Arts Biennale
Locations
- Jeddah