In its inaugural edition, the Islamic Arts Biennale brings together centuries of faith and artistic expression

Written by Culture Hub Middle East staff

Taking centrestage at the iconic Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale is celebrating cultural, intellectual, and artistic achievements that trace their origins to the House of Allah, or Awwal Bait.

Hosted by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the exhibition, a first of its kind, traverses the timeless rituals that have defined Islam from its beginning through to the present day – rituals of movement, sound, and invisible lines of direction.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the home of the two holy mosques and the sacred landscapes around them, is the spiritual focus for Muslims around the whole world. Awwal Bait, literally meaning ‘first house’ refers to the Ka’bah in Makkah al-Mukarramah, the holiest site in Islam.

Above: Prototype of a reassembled mosque by Yasmeen Lari

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the Hajj terminal first opened in 1981 and was the recipient of the 1983 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Each year, this prestigious building welcomes millions of pilgrims making their way to the Ka’bah. Over the centuries, billions of people from around the world have passed through this region, the Hijaz – sharing their rituals, crafts, traditions, and knowledge – making it one of the most sacred places for cultural exchange on earth.

Above: On Softer Light by Muhannad Shono

However diverse Muslims across the globe may be, Awwal Bait, the First House of Allah in Makkah, remains in all their hearts, and is always present in the daily rituals of worship.

This shared source of faith, shared philosophies, and shared sense of belonging unites all Muslims.

Above: Seven Times by Idris Khan

Organised around two main themes, Qiblah and Hijrah, the Islamic Arts Biennale juxtaposes contemporary art and historical artifacts as expressions of this deep sense of belonging, of being at ‘home’, both on a personal, human level, and on the scale of the infinite and eternal.

The exhibition’s pubic programme features a vast line-up of activities, excursions, workshops, meet-the-artist sessions, panel discussions, talks, seminars, performances and film screenings, highlighting the integral role of arts and culture in our lives, and providing the opportunity for visitors to discover and immerse themselves in the arts of the Islamic world.

To find out more, click here.

The Islamic Arts Biennale is on view at the Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, from 23 January until 23 April 2023.

Lead image: Amongst Men by Haroon Gunn-Salie. All images courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and artists.