‘Between Two Cultures’: Contemporary Art Context for Historical Diversity between Saudi Arabia, Yemen

The exhibition highlights the similarities and differences between Saudi culture and other cultures (Saudi Culture Ministry)
The exhibition highlights the similarities and differences between Saudi culture and other cultures (Saudi Culture Ministry)
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‘Between Two Cultures’: Contemporary Art Context for Historical Diversity between Saudi Arabia, Yemen

The exhibition highlights the similarities and differences between Saudi culture and other cultures (Saudi Culture Ministry)
The exhibition highlights the similarities and differences between Saudi culture and other cultures (Saudi Culture Ministry)

Riyadh is hosting a unique art exhibition that sheds light on both the similarities and differences between Saudi Arabian culture and other cultures.

In its first round, the exhibition will place special emphasis on Yemen and its close ties to Saudi culture, showcasing areas such as fashion, visual arts, architecture, design, and culinary arts.

Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the “Between Two Cultures” display will delve into the exploration and presentation of diverse cultures.

The concept of intersectionality is manifested in the intricacies of the exhibition, where human experiences converge in shared fields that reflect human awareness of oneself and one’s surroundings amid responses to challenges.

This perspective extends to life, encompassing realms such as music, fashion, arts, and folk games, all of which serve as icons of human expression.

The exhibition zeroes in on the culture of Yemen, highlighting its connection with Saudi Arabian culture.

It delves into various aspects like fashion, visual arts, architecture, design, and culinary arts, aiming to enhance cultural exchange and collaboration between the Kingdom and Yemen.

Designed based on the concept of intersectionality, the exhibition guides visitors towards boundlessness, displaying cultural exchanges at these intersections through two fundamental concepts.

The first concept is clarity, which illuminates the facets of resemblance, divergence, and shared elements. The second is transparency, symbolizing the openness between cultures.

The exhibition’s immersive experience promises an enriching exploration for visitors, beginning with the entrance where intersecting geometric forms embody the foundational creative essence of the show.

Attendees will encounter a captivating array of images and dynamic visuals that vividly illustrate the shared aspects between Saudi and Yemeni cultures.

A heartfelt resonance is evoked through a backdrop of music from both Saudi and Yemeni traditions, enhancing the overall inspirational ambiance.



COP29 - How Does $300 Billion Stack up?

A demonstrator sitting on the ground holds a poster during a climate protest in Lisbon, to coincide with the closing of the COP29 Climate Summit Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP)
A demonstrator sitting on the ground holds a poster during a climate protest in Lisbon, to coincide with the closing of the COP29 Climate Summit Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP)
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COP29 - How Does $300 Billion Stack up?

A demonstrator sitting on the ground holds a poster during a climate protest in Lisbon, to coincide with the closing of the COP29 Climate Summit Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP)
A demonstrator sitting on the ground holds a poster during a climate protest in Lisbon, to coincide with the closing of the COP29 Climate Summit Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP)

Countries agreed at the UN's COP29 climate conference to spend $300 billion on annual climate finance. Here are some ways of understanding what that sum is worth:

MILITARY MIGHT

In 2023, governments around the globe spent $6.7 billion a day on military expenditure, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

That means the $300 billion annual climate finance target equates to 45 days of global military spending.

BURNING OIL

$300 billion is currently the price tag for all the crude oil used by the world in a little over 40 days, according to Reuters calculations based on global crude oil demand of approximately 100 million barrels/day and end-November Brent crude oil prices.

ELON MUSK

According to Forbes, Elon Musk's net worth stood at $321.7 billion in late November. The world's richest man and owner of social media platform X has co-founded more than half a dozen companies, including electric car maker Tesla and rocket producer SpaceX.

STORM DAMAGE

Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating and deadliest cyclones in US history, caused $200 billion in damage alone in 2005.

This year's climate-fueled Hurricane Helene could end up costing up to $250 billion in economic losses and damages in the US, according to estimates by AccuWeather. While preliminary estimates by Morningstar DBRS suggest Hurricane Milton, also supercharged by ocean heat, could cost both the insured and uninsured nearly $100 billion.

BEAUTY BUYS

The global luxury goods market is valued at 363 billion euros ($378 billion) in 2024, according to Bain & Company.

COPPER PLATED

The GDP of Chile - the world's largest copper producing country - stood at $335.5 billion in 2023, according to World Bank data.

GREECE'S BAIL OUT

Euro zone countries and the International Monetary Fund spent some 260 billion euros ($271 billion) between 2010 and 2018 on bailing out Greece - the biggest sovereign bailout in economic history.

BRITISH BONDS

Britain's new government needs to borrow more to fund budget plans. Gilt issuance is expected to rise to 296.9 billion pounds ($372.05 billion) for the current financial year.

TECH TALLY

A 10% share of tech giant Microsoft is worth just over $300 billion, according to LSEG data. Meanwhile the market cap for US oil major Chevron stood at $292 billion.

CRYPTO

The annual climate finance target amounts to 75% of the total value of the global market for crypto currency Ether, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency.

Alternatively, 3 million Bitcoin would cover the annual climate finance target as the world's largest cryptocurrency closes in on the $100,000 mark following a rally fueled by Donald Trump winning the Nov. 5 US presidential election.