Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture launches sculptural symposium series
The series aims to encourage cultural exchange at local and international levels.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has launched the first of a series of arts initiatives that form part of the country’s cultural vision for 2020.
The Ministry invited 20 international and local artists to hand-sculpt, in-situ, free-standing monoliths over a three-week period late last year using blocks of white marble imported from Oman.
The sculptures are now on display at the inaugural Red Sea International Sculpture Symposium, being held in Al Balad, Jeddah’s historic district, overlooking the famous waterfront and facing Midan Al Beyaa.
On display is work from Saudi artists Essam Jameel, Rida Alalawi and Kamal Almualem; European artists Michael Levchenko (Ukraine), Kamen Tanaev (Bulgaria), Jose Carlos Cabello Millan (Spain), Mario Lopes (Portugal), Jo Klay (Germany), Sylvain Patte (Belgium), Butrint Morina (Kosovo), Aggnessa Petrove (Bulgaria), Anna Maria Negara (Romania) and Anna Rasinska (Poland); Asian artists Takeshita Kubo, Fan Chilung-Lien and Lin Li Jen, spanning from Japan to Taiwan; and neighbouring Arab artists Ali Jabbar (Iraq), Hisham Abdulmuty (Egypt) and Hany Fisal (Egypt).
The Riyadh Symposium, the second Symposium of the series, is open now.
The Latest
A Surreal Tribute
“Water, salt and olive oil. That’s what it takes to survive,” says designer Philippe Starck, who created the new La Almazara olive oil museum outside Ronda, Spain
Big and Quiet
The new Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP03 is perfect for open-plan spaces
Bridging the Past, Present and Future
Ignacio Gomez, Global Design Principal at Aedas reflects on the firm’s two decades in the Middle East
At Home with: Ahmed A. Sultan
Step into Ahmed A. Sultan’s contemporary retreat shaped by space, light, and emotion
Sharjah Architecture Triennial 2026 – Curators Announced
Sharjah Architecture Triennial (SAT) announces Vyjayanthi Rao as curator of its third edition (SAT03), joined by Tau Tavengwa as associate curator.
Framed Allure
Architecture meets art at this stunning villa on the Palm Jumeirah
Highlights from Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025
Here’s a recap of the new and notable novelties and exhibits at Salone del Mobile.Milano and Fuorisalone
An insider’s guide to Downtown Design Riyadh
Here’s what to look out for at the Kingdom’s first fair for original and high-quality contemporary design, running from 20 to 23 May 2025
Maison&Objet hosts Women&Design Dinner in Dubai
The dinner was the first of its kind in the Middle East that connected female industry professionals
Wander and Wonder
Inside the Foster + Partners designed Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo2025 Osaka
New Roots for Efie Gallery
Efie Gallery relocates to Alserkal Avenue and hosts the Middle Eastern debut of María Magdalena Campos-Pon’s solo exhibition
Read ‘Innovation in Design’ – Note from the editor – May 2025
This month, we shed light on innovation and what propels the industry in terms of creativity.