Saudi Arabia: The Islamic Arts Biennial is back in Djeddah
The 2025 edition of the Islamic Biennale of Arts opened its doors in Djeddah under the theme “and all that is between the two”. Installed in the western terminal of HADJ of King Abdulaziz International Airport, the event presents until May 25 an exceptional collection of more than 500 works and works of art. Strong point of this edition: the unprecedented exhibition of the complete Kiswah, the sacred fabric that covered Kaaba last year. The route, designed by the OMA architectural firm, extends over 100,000 m² and hosts contributions from more than 30 international institutions, from the Louvre to Victoria and Albert Museum.
The exhibition revolves around seven thematic spaces with evocative names: Albidayah (“The beginning”), Almadar (“the orbit”), Almuqtani (“Hommage”), Almidhallah (“La Canopée”), Almukarramah (“The Honorée”), Almunawwarah (“the illuminated”) and Almusalla. This spatial organization allows visitors to discover Islamic art in different perspectives, from historical heritage to contemporary expressions.
Under the artistic direction of Julian Raby, Amin Jaffer and Abdul Rahman Azzam, the Biennale presents 29 works ordered specially for the occasion. A rich programming including workshops, conferences and cinema evenings completes this event which stands out as a major meeting of contemporary Islamic art. Standing innovation: the Almusalla prayer space, designed with sustainable materials from local palm trees, illustrates the desire to combine tradition and ecology.