Today, public art and cultural programs are a positive means not only to cultivate appreciation for beauty and fine taste but more importantly to educate society and provide the opportunity to strengthen creative ideas and inspire citizens with hope, influencing a more positive attitude toward life and community. Globally, pubic art initiatives are recognized as important measures that add a sense of pride and identity to developing societies. In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Art Council (SAC) is playing a leading role in engaging the public in the development of art and culture, encouraging artwork that reflects the history of Jeddah and supporting talented young artists and offering art education to school children and college students. The initiative pays tribute to the past and present history of Jeddah and has contributed to the transformation of Al-Balad district area into a lively arts and cultural district. The initiative has also introduced a dialogue between local artists and the rest of the world and promoted the city of Jeddah as a vibrant cultural base for local, regional and international artists expanding beyond the current borders of the Kingdom's cultural landscape. SAC will be holding its third initiative under the theme "Earth and Ever After" from February to May 2016. The initiative this year invites us to reflect on humanity's relationship with our planet. The Council could not have picked a better theme to promote a more humane approach toward the Earth that remains under the threat of nuclear wars and global warming. Indeed our region is in dire need of a new approach that is more caring and more protective toward the Earth. SAC member Mona Khazindar laments on how the "ecosystems have begun to disappear as a result of greed and omens that reveal how far we have strayed from our humanity". She said that despite our flaws, "the Earth is giving and remains a place of abundance, and above all, the Earth has bestowed upon us infinite beauty that can be seen everywhere." This spiritual and noble perspective is very much needed to remind us about how wars continue to destroy the world around us and it prompts us to feel more responsible for protecting our environment and preserving the Earth. "This exhibition invites you to reflect on humanity's relationship with the Earth, to explore whether it is reconciled with their own personal bond and how an artist's environment is inextricably bound to his sense of identity and roots," Khazindar said. Hopefully, the public art initiative will enhance public responsibility and encourage Saudi artists to act as catalysts for creative thinking and progressive expression. Art can bring people together inspiring new ideas and intellectual exploration. The public art initiative is more than just promoting art for art's sake but rather for energizing civic sense and raising public awareness. Art today has become a global vehicle to energize intellectual thought, contrary to the early 19th century trend when the popular term "art for art's sake" promoted a different philosophy. Before, "the intrinsic value of art, and the only true art, was divorced from any didactic, moral or utilitarian function". Today, however, public art initiatives are means for energizing intellectual thought. Expressions of art are used to address discrimination and condemn injustice, violence, racism and extremism. Works of art can be inspirational expressions and bold statements of empowerment. They can provide alternative ways of seeing things and highlighting different perceptions of common trends or prevalent ideas. Artists today relate to public interests and concerns and they reach out toward international connections and global concerns. The message of art can be more powerful than words. Our message through art can certainly have a stronger impact in the global arena than any propaganda rhetoric. Art transcends boundaries. Picasso is as celebrated in China as in his own country. Mughal miniatures are objects of admiration in any art museum. Today, the works of many Saudi artists have achieved international acclaim. The role of Princess Jawaher Bint Majid, President of Al-Mansouria Foundation and Chairwoman of the Saudi Art Council, in promoting Saudi artists and investing in community-based arts and culture programs is a step in the right direction. More government funding and private sector investment in museums, art galleries and exhibitions as well as financial support for professional artists, arts specialists and connoisseurs of art are the need of the hour. It is time we empower a network of Saudi artists to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects and inspire artistic innovation and global outreach to confront major global issues of war and peace, anti-Muslim cartoons, Islamophobia and misconceptions about Islam. The role of SAC in promoting art and culture in Jeddah should be recognized as a valuable national contribution toward nation building. Samar Fatany is a radio broadcaster and writer. She can be reached at [email protected]
