Jeddah: The Diriyah Biennale Foundation inaugurated the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That is in Between, which will run until May 25. The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah, a city known as a cultural crossroads for centuries. The event is held at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, a venue that holds emotional significance for millions of Muslim pilgrims embarking on their sacred journeys for Hajj and Umrah. The Biennale juxtaposes historical objects from Islamic cultures with contemporary art, exploring how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale spans five exhibition halls, outdoor spaces, and more than 500 objects and contemporary artworks. It delves into how humanity endeavors to comprehend the divine. In its second edition, the Biennale showcases significantly more works and welcomes a greater number of participating institutions, solidifying its position as a central global platform for Islamic arts. Loans from leading institutions across the world, including the Mus©e du Louvre (Paris), the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Timbuktu), the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha), and the Manuscripts Institute of Trkiye (Istanbul), enrich the exhibition.
Saudi institutions contributing to the Biennale include the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) (Dhahran), the King Abdulaziz Waqf Libraries Assembly (Madinah), and the King Fahad National Library (Riyadh). Visitors can also view objects and works of art from the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah. A key highlight is the first-ever display of the entire Kiswah-the cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba-outside of Makkah. This Kiswah, created annually, is the one that adorned the Holy Kaaba last year.
The Biennale features contributions from over 30 artists from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and beyond, including 29 new commissions. This reflects the Diriyah Biennale Foundation's commitment to providing a global platform for Saudi artists and bringing international artists to Saudi Arabia, fostering engagement with diverse perspectives in contemporary art.
Public programs accompanying the Biennale include talks, workshops, community initiatives, and symposia throughout the exhibition period. Notable inaugural programs include Biennale After School and Biennale After Work, which offer hands-on art workshops for children and adults, fostering creativity and reflection.