Second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah from January to May 2025

The second edition of the highly anticipated Islamic Arts Biennale (IAB) has been formally announced by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. It is slated to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January to May 2025. This ground-breaking occasion provides guests with a singular chance to delve into the breadth of Islamic creativity by presenting the rich and varied arts of Islamic culture, both historical and contemporary.

The second edition of the IAB curatorial team has an outstanding roster of global expertise. Abdul Rahman Azzam, Julian Raby, and Amin Jaffer are the artistic directors. Furthermore, Muhannad Shono, a Saudi artist, has been named the Curator of Contemporary Art. In order to provide a thorough and immersive experience, they will collaborate to curate a collection of items that includes new commissions, historical relics, and modern artwork.

The renowned Western Hajj Terminal of Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport will host the Biennale. This place is very important to Muslims all over the world since it is the starting point for the holy Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to Makkah. The international architecture competition, the AlMusalla Prize, is being launched by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation as a counterpart to this spiritual link. Architects are invited to submit their designs for a prayer space (musalla) that will be unveiled in conjunction with the Biennale, providing a calm setting for introspection and meditation.

The second edition of the IAB, At 110,000 square metres, is expected to be even larger than the first, with 12,000 square metres devoted exclusively to display space. Through the juxtaposition of modern artwork and ancient relics, as well as site-specific works that interact with the venue's distinctive architecture, the Biennale will continue to explore its themes.

The return of AlMadar, a forum that invites institutions with notable collections of Islamic art to participate to a group, thematic exhibition, is one of the highlights of the IAB. AlMadar, which translates to "the orbit" in Arabic, promotes cooperation and communication amongst organisations from different parts of the world while highlighting the depth and variety of Islamic culture. Homage, a special gallery within AlMadar, will honour the sponsorship that has supported important collections of contemporary Islamic art.

The history of these two sacred locations will also be the main focus of two unique pavilions, Makkah and Madinah, strengthening the bond between spirituality, art, and culture. Another major focus of the IAB's second edition is architecture as a manifestation of Islamic culture. In order to highlight this, the AlMusalla Prize is being introduced by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, which is encouraging architects to create a multipurpose and sustainable musalla.

The Diriyah Biennale Foundation, which was founded in 2020 to encourage artistic expression and foster a respect for culture and the arts in Saudi Arabia, is in charge of organising the IAB. In addition, the Foundation manages the growth of the JAX District in Diriyah, where its main office is situated.

The IAB curatorial team is made up of eminent people, each with a distinct viewpoint and area of expertise. Their combined efforts should make the Islamic Arts Biennale's second edition a noteworthy cultural occasion in Saudi Arabia and beyond the world. This remarkable festival of Islamic art and culture is expected to forge enduring links between antiquated customs and modern manifestations, providing tourists from all over the world with an unforgettable experience.