The 2024 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, led by Artistic Director Ute Meta Bauer, has announced a list of participating artists and presented its curatorial framework and title, After Rain. Evoking a scent that comes from the ground, the title embodies revitalization and renewal. It explores the role of a contemporary art biennial in a country that is undergoing rapid social change. The Biennale features 92 artists from 43 countries, including 30 artists from the wider Gulf region.
Numerous new works have been commissioned for the Biennale to capture this transformative moment. Some notable collaborations include Ahmed Mater and Armin Linke documenting Saudi futurism, Sara Abdu creating towers made of artisanal soap bars to explore cleansing rituals, and Mohammad AlFaraj incorporating palm trees and sound to reflect on the landscape of Al Ahsa. The Biennale also emphasizes communal gatherings and food sharing during Ramadan, with activities such as harvesting, cooking, and eating at the Britto Arts Trust structure, enjoying locally produced drinks at NJOKOBOK's juice and tea bar, and participating in a meal with Lucy + Jorge Orta in the JAX District.
For more information, visit the biennale's website.
