Sultan bin Fahad's Frequency at Fondazione Alda Fendi in Rome
Fondazione Alda Fendi, founded in 2001 by fashion designer and philanthropist Alda Fendi with support from her daughters Giovanna and Alessia, has dedicated two decades to experimental, free-access art. After eleven years of multimedia theater directed by Raffaele Curi, the foundation now operates at Palazzo Rhinoceros, a 17th-century building restored by Jean Nouvel, inspired by Walter Benjamin's Parisian Passages. The current exhibition, Frequency, features Saudi artist Sultan bin Fahad (born 1971 in Riyadh, based in Los Angeles), a member of the royal family. Curated by Michela Cantatore, the show presents installations across two floors of Rhinoceros Gallery, including brass partition panels from Mecca, carved stone archaeological artifacts, polished white marble temple objects, and looped videos with monochord soundscapes evoking praying crowds. The centerpiece is a black cube suspended from the ceiling, symbolizing the Kaaba, emitting a hypnotic sound—the titular frequency. Visitors are invited to crawl under it, simulating a pilgrimage to Mecca. Bin Fahad, an electronic engineer by training, transcends his cultural roots through hybrid expressive contaminations. In 2019, the foundation curated the artistic direction and concept design for Roads of Arabia: Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Commission.
Key facts
- Fondazione Alda Fendi was founded in 2001 by Alda Fendi.
- The foundation is supported by Alda Fendi's daughters Giovanna and Alessia.
- The foundation's goal is experimentation with a nomadic, airy thought.
- All foundation activities are free and accessible.
- After 11 years of multimedia theater directed by Raffaele Curi, the foundation now operates at Palazzo Rhinoceros.
- Palazzo Rhinoceros is a 17th-century building restored by Jean Nouvel.
- The restoration was inspired by Walter Benjamin's Passages of Paris.
- The exhibition Frequency features Saudi artist Sultan bin Fahad.
- Sultan bin Fahad was born in Riyadh in 1971 and lives in Los Angeles.
- He is a member of the Saudi royal family.
- The exhibition is coordinated by Michela Cantatore at Rhinoceros Gallery.
- In 2019, the foundation curated Roads of Arabia for the Saudi Commission.
- Installations include brass panels from Mecca, carved stone artifacts, polished white marble objects, and video loops.
- A black cube symbolizing the Kaaba emits a hypnotic sound, the titular frequency.
- Visitors crawl under the cube to simulate a pilgrimage to Mecca.
- Bin Fahad is an electronic engineer by training.
- The exhibition aims to transcend cultural origins through universal art language.
Entities
Artists
- Sultan bin Fahad
- Alda Fendi
- Raffaele Curi
- Jean Nouvel
- Walter Benjamin
- Michela Cantatore
Institutions
- Fondazione Alda Fendi
- Rhinoceros Gallery
- Saudi Commission
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Mecca
- Paris