29 January 2020
H.E Shaikha Mai Attends Inauguration Ceremony of 7th Edition of Jeddah Art 21,39 initiative
H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, attended the inauguration of Jeddah Arts 21,39 7th annual Central Exhibition entitled “I Love You, Urgently” on Tuesday the 28th of January. The exhibition will be on display until April 18 with the support of the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia and The Saudi Art Council chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Jawaher bint Majed Al Saud.
Speaking for the occasion, H.E said “ I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Her Royal Highness Princess Jawaher bint Majed Al Saud for the the this honorary and generous invitation bestowed upon to attend this majestic cultural event, which reflects Saudi Arabia’s keenness to develop culture and arts, promoting and enhancing channels of discourse and building bridges of communication between the region and the whole world. Saudi Arabia is deploying strenuous efforts to boost the visual arts perspective, which is an effective method to promote our historical and civilizational assets and values”. H.E added: “ This initiative (Jeddah Arts 21,39) makes a difference and creates a positive shock every year, shining and glittering with young national talented artists who are ready for highest challenges to develop the Saudi Fine arts’ movement”. In addition, H.E lauded and praised the huge developments undergoing in Saudi Arabia, a progress in all fields and sectors, especially the in culture and arts, which are booming at an unprecedented pace.
On its official Twitter website, the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia stated that the 7th edition of 21,39 Jeddah Arts, 2020, Entitled I LOVE YOU, URGENTLY is a call to action in response to the environmental emergency from the specificity of a local context. At a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing a rapid transformation, it asks local and international artists, architects, designers and thinkers to seek out tangible solutions, and to formulate alternative and symbiotic ways to inhabit our planet. 21,39 Jeddah Arts aims to directly engage its public with the environmental and sustainability dialogues currently taking place internationally, while encouraging an understanding of these debates within a local context and urging active new responses. Highlighting the personal nature of each individual’s experience with the global “environmental emergency,” the 21—largely local—creators participating will share their artistic interpretations of the crisis, from Islamic painting techniques and calligraphic installations to ethically-made clothing and digital print collages.
Worth to mention that 21,39’ Jeddah Arts is a non-profit initiative launched by the Saudi Art Council in February 2014. It is an annual program with series of arts events and activities, which presents an exclusive insight into the talent and cultural landscape of the country. Inspired by the geographic coordinates of the city (21.5433°N, 39.1728°E), ‘21,39’ Jeddah Arts showcases a narrative of art in the country, emphasizing the history of The Kingdom’s modern and contemporary movements, and those who play integral roles in enriching Saudi art on the map.
