The Museums Commission inaugurated on Wednesday the fourth Saudi edition of the International Biennial of Contemporary Art of the South (BIENALSUR) at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) in JAX District, Diriyah.
The event will run under the theme “Let’s Play: A Labyrinth of Options,” aiming to strengthen cultural dialogue between the Kingdom and the world through contemporary art, according to SPA.
The exhibition will run until December 31, 2025, under the supervision of BIENALSUR Artistic Director Diana Wechsler, and features the participation of 26 artists from inside and outside the Kingdom.
This year’s edition coincides with the 10th anniversary of BIENALSUR, which began at the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF) in Buenos Aires with the support of UNESCO. Over the past decade, the biennial has expanded to more than 70 cities and 140 cultural institutions worldwide.
The Saudi edition contributes to advancing the mission of SAMoCA to empower Saudi talents, promote cultural exchange, and broaden access to contemporary art across the Kingdom.
During the opening ceremony, visitors experienced a variety of interactive artworks combining light, sound, and movement, offering reflections on the concepts of choice, experimentation, and rediscovery. The exhibition transforms art into a space for play, contemplation, and human connection through an inspiring and dynamic artistic experience.
According to the commission, SAMoCA is also presenting two accompanying artistic programs as part of BIENALSUR. The first, titled “SAFAR,” is a concert series running from November 12 to December 7, featuring independent international artists performing adjacent to the museum. The initiative aims to attract music lovers and encourage collaboration among different art forms.
The SAFAR program includes several notable performances: the French band Bon Entendeur will make its debut performance in the Kingdom on October 28; Nigerian artist Keziah Jones, pioneer of the “Blufunk” genre that fuses blues, funk, soul, and Yoruba heritage, will perform on November 12; and the duo Love and Revenge will conclude the program on December 8 with a concert reimagining the legacy of Umm Kulthum through a mix of electronic music and cinematic visuals. On December 7, a masterclass will be held by artist Wael Kodeih as part of the training program accompanying the event.
The second program, “MUNTADA,” will run from November 2 to 8, and includes workshops, advanced courses, panel discussions, and film screenings under the theme “Focus on Image: Tools, Language, and Its Power.”
The program features leading practitioners exploring how images are created, interpreted, and shared in the modern era.
Through this event, the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art continues to establish itself as a leading national platform for modern art and a bridge for creative exchange between artists in the Kingdom and around the world.
It reflects the Museums Commission’s commitment to supporting Saudi artists and enhancing their international presence, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a thriving cultural society and a sustainable creative economy.
