Saudi Arabia's MoC participated in the BIENALSUR 2023 in Argentina, ahead of hosting the exhibition in Riyadh

The Saudi Ministry of Culture (MoC) took part in BIENALSUR 2023, the International Biennial of Contemporary Art of the South, in Argentina, ahead of the exhibition's arrival in Riyadh later this year. The ministry took part in the exhibition "Strangers in the Palace" at the National Museum of Decorative Arts, which was attended by a number of authorities.

Khaled Bin Ibrahim Al-Laheeb, Cultural Affairs Officer at Saudi Arabia's Embassy in Argentina, Anbal Jozami, general director of the BIENALSUR exhibition, as well as a delegation from the MoC, as well as a number of Saudi and international artists who were participating in the exhibition, attended.

During the exhibition's launch, BIENALSUR's Artistic Director Diana Wechsler stated that Saudi Arabia has performed a pioneering role by becoming the first country in the Middle East area to join the BIENALSUR network. Working with Saudi artists, she adds, is a tremendous opportunity to test variety, experience multiculturalism, and human interchange.

Wechsler explained that the phrase "Strangers in the Palace" highlights the contrast between the contemporary nature of the artistic works provided by the artists and the nature of the host venue, as the National Museum of Decorative Arts is located in a historical palace filled with historical and classical collections and artworks. The theme, which includes the phrase (Strangers), also represents the isolation of the Saudi artists who are travelling from outside Argentina to show their artwork, which will contribute to culture and human interchange via art, she explained.

According to Wechsler, the Strangers in the Palace show creates an unexpected debate between ancient and modern art, as well as fosters interaction between cultures via art. Dr. Zahra Al-Ghamdi, Sara Abdou, Hmoud Al-Atawi, Saad Al-Huwaidy, Hatim Al-Ahmed, Saed Qamhawi, Saed Jabaan, Tasneem Sultan, Muath Al-Ofi, and Shahad Yusuf are among the 10 Saudi artists participating in this edition of BIENALSUR, which took place on July 28. Among over 170 locations in 70 cities across 27 countries, with over 400 artists participating, Saudi Arabia will be one of the international stations where BIENALSUR will stop, hosting the exhibition from July to December of the current year 2023.

The Saudi Culture Ministry will host BIENALSUR for the third time after becoming the first country in the Middle East to host the exhibition in 2019 at the National Museum and Jax District in Riyadh, as well as at the Khuzam Palace in Jeddah in 2021 with the participation of five Saudi artists.