A groundbreaking Saudi cultural initiative, Edge of Arabia is not only promoting and empowering contemporary artists from the Kingdom, but is also filling a gap in the art world that has been left void for far too long.
After its first exhibition in October 2008 at London’s SOAS Brunei Gallery, Edge of Arabia made headlines as it broke the attendance record at the University of London’s largest gallery, with over 12,000 people visiting throughout its two-month display.
In June 2009, Edge of Arabia traveled to the 53rd Venice Biennale, arguably the most significant and popular contemporary art event around today. Over 2,000 of the world’s most influential curators, collectors, artists and critics visited the exhibition in its first week alone. But that was just the beginning for Edge of Arabia. This January, Edge of Arabia launched its world tour at the Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF), held in Riyadh’s iconic Kingdom Tower under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The tour aims to create sustainable cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world, while concurrently investing in the Kingdom’s creative potential at a crucial moment in today’s social and political climate.
“This significant moment opens a fresh chapter in the history of Saudi art, allowing a new generation of creative forces to deepen understanding of the Kingdom’s cultural achievements, while celebrating artistic practice at the center of the Islamic world,” explains Stephen Stapelton, director of Edge of Arabia.
“What started off as a grassroots group of artists coming together in the mountains of southern Saudi Arabia has developed into a project of international significance. In launching this world tour in the capital of Saudi Arabia, we aim to amplify the moderate voices of a new generation of artists, and send a powerful and positive message to audiences around the world.”
Following the launch, Edge of Arabia will continue to Dubai for the premier art fair of the region — Art Dubai. In June, Edge of Arabia will be taking its talent to Berlin, and then finally to Istanbul in November as part of the Istanbul Capital of Culture.
The exhibition plans to continue jet setting across the globe until 2014 and will include many of the world’s cultural centers in its itinerary.
Edge of Arabia’s world tour launch at the GCF was sponsored by major Saudi company Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ). It was attended by numerous international cultural leaders, top business figures, political influencers, renowned academics and artists, as well as Prince Bandar bin Khaled Al-Faisal and Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of SAGIA.
“The exhibition generated overwhelmingly positive feedback from all attendees and of particular note, were comments from Glenn Lowry, director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Michael Govan, director of Los Angeles County Museum of Art — all of whom were impressed by the standard of contemporary art in Saudi and the spirit of the project,” reveals Fady Jameel, President of ALJ International Social Programs.
“We are delighted to support Saudi artists in participating in this timely and important project. We are especially pleased to be sponsoring these exhibitions, whose educational focus allows new and often young international audiences to better understand and engage with contemporary culture and heritage from Saudi Arabia.”
If you missed or are unable to make any of Edge of Arabia’s exhibitions, pick up a coveted copy of “The Edge of Arabia Visual Arts Book.”
This title is the first and currently only comprehensive book on Saudi contemporary art. Written by Henry Hemming, it features contributions by Dr. Venetia Porter of the British Museum and Dr. Abdulaziz Al Sebail, Deputy Minister of Culture for Saudi Arabia.
Edge of Arabia 2010 Program
• Jan. 23-26, Riyadh: GCF launched Edge of Arabia’s world tour.
• March 17-20, Dubai: Edge of Arabia will participate at the international art fair, Art Dubai.
• June-August, Berlin: A major Edge of Arabia exhibition will be opened to coincide with the Berlin Biennale.
• November-December, Istanbul: Edge of Arabia will conclude 2010 with a major exhibition in partnership with the European Capital of Culture and the Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair.
