BUENOS AIRES — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture (MoC) participated in the BIENALSUR 2023, the International Biennial of Contemporary Art of the South, in Argentina, ahead of hosting the exhibition in Riyadh later this year. The ministry participated in the exhibition, which was held at the National Museum of Decorative Arts under the "Strangers in the Palace", with the attendance of a number of officials. The Cultural Affairs Officer at Saudi Arabia's Embassy to Argentina, Khaled Bin Ibrahim Al-Laheeb, the general director of the BIENALSUR exhibition Aníbal Jozami, as well as a delegation from the MoC, in addition to a number of Saudi and international artists who were participating in the exhibition attended. During the opening of the exhibition, the Artistic Director of BIENALSUR Diana Wechsler said that Saudi Arabia has played a pioneering role, as it was the first country in the Middle East region who joined the BIENALSUR's network, She added that working with artists from Saudi Arabia is considered as a wonderful opportunity to test diversity, and to experience multiculturalism, and human exchange. As for the phrase of the exhibition's theme "Strangers in the Palace", Wechsler explained that it highlights the contrast between the contemporary nature for the artistic works which the artists provide, and between the nature of the host place, as the National Museum of Decorative Arts is located in a historical palace that is filled with a historical and classical collections and artworks. The theme, which contains the word (Strangers) is also symbolizing the alienation of the Saudi artists who are coming from outside Argentina to display their artwork that will contribute to the culture and human exchange through art, she said. Wechsler indicated that the Strangers in the Palace exhibition sparks an unexpected dialogue between classical and contemporary art, and also enhances dialogue between cultures through art. This edition of BIENALSUR, which took place on July 28, include impressive artworks of more than 400 artist from 27 nationality, of whom, there are 10 Saudi artists are participating, who are: 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. Among over 170 locations in 70 cities that are spread in 27 countries with the participation of more than 400 artists, Saudi Arabia will be one of the international stations which BIENALSUR will stop at, where it will host the exhibition during the period from July until December of the current year 2023. This will be the third hosting of BIENALSUR by the Saudi Arabia's Culture Ministry after the Kingdom became the first country in the Middle East to host the exhibition in 2019 in the National Museum, and Jax District in Riyadh, as well as at the Khuzam Palace in Jeddah in 2021 with the participation of 5 Saudi artists. The hosting of BIENALSUR comes within the framework of the MoC's keenness to provide creative platforms for art connoisseurs in the Kingdom. It will also create a connection opportunity between the talented Saudis and their counterparts globally, as well as empowering and supporting them to reach the important international platforms. Moreover, it will enhance international cultural exchange, as it is one of the strategic goals of the Ministry of Culture that it seeks to achieve under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
