Saudi Art Council members Mona Khazindar and Hamza Serafi at a press conference on Wednesday.

A non-profit organizational initiative by the Saudi Art Council (SAC), 21,39 Jeddah Arts, is holding its third annual central exhibition and associated events in Jeddah from February to May, SAC members revealed in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Local art related to humanity and Earth will be on display under the theme “Earth and Ever After.” The Saudi Art Council is a group of local art enthusiasts who want to contribute to the local community through the promotion of art and culture in Jeddah.

Mona Khazindar and Hamza Serafi, SAC members, explained in a press briefing on Wednesday that the theme of this year’s program is “Earth and Ever After” and includes a variety of curated cultural events held throughout the city involving homegrown galleries and fine art institutions that aim to build bridges with the global art community. “This popular annual event aims at making a meaningful contribution to the development of Saudi society,” said Sara Ali Reza, SAC member.

“To further enhance our objective, the 2016 program builds on the great success of last year’s event when more than 5,000 students from 200 schools were given guided tours of the main exhibition, and around 250 people signed up to attend 15 free workshops and talks.”

Khazindar explained that they chose the subject related to Earth because the Earth has the collective memories that are bound to our subconscious. Earth is a reflection of ourselves, manifesting itself as a constant flow of images that teem with scent, taste and color.

“The Creator revealed in his holy book: ‘From this dust We created you, and in this We shall put you back, and from this, We shall raise you up once again.’ (20,55). ‘And so the Earth is a gift from God, as an abode and a base from which to spring forth into existence, and

from there, into the unknown realm of possibility; And Allah has made the Earth a spread for you, so that you may go about its broad ways’ (71,20).”

“As we regard the Earth as a living, breathing being, so Earth regards us as well, monitoring the tread of humanity upon her surface and how it marks her. It sends us signs in the guise of ecosystems that have begun to disappear as a result of our greed, and omens that reveal how far we have strayed from our humanity,” she added.

She further said that despite this, the Earth is giving and remains a place of abundance, and above all, Earth has bestowed upon us infinite

beauty that can be seen everywhere: In the delicate spread of a dove’s wings; the transparency of a drop of water; the shimmer of color on the back of a butterfly; the warm yellow of sandy desert dunes; the color blue that draws its depth from the sea and its breadth from the sky; and how all of the above and beauty beyond can be perceived in the loving gaze of another.

“This exhibition invites you to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the Earth, to explore whether it is reconciled with their own

personal bond and how an artist’s environment is inextricably bound to his sense of identity and roots,” she said.

She further said by organizing an annual citywide initiative encompassing a range of events, partners and locations, 21,39 Jeddah Arts offers an unforgettable journey into the historic city of Jeddah. Of equal importance, 21,39 Jeddah Arts presents Saudis with an opportunity to view and appreciate the wider artistic culture that exists and is developing throughout their homeland.

The strategic program partner of the Saudi Art Council for 21,39 Jeddah Arts is UBS. The main sponsor of the 3rd Edition of the program is Van Cleef & Arpels, and Al Mansouria Foundation for Culture & Creativity, with Design Magazine being the media partner. The associate sponsors are Tamer Group, Quintessentially Group and Silver Spoon.

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