Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Visual Arts Commission on Sunday inaugurated “Alhasa Hasana”, a photography exhibition curated by Mohamed Somji at Jeddah’s High Jameel.
The exhibition will feature Kingdom Photo Award winners and newly commissioned works from professional photographers, and will run from February 11th to March 2nd.
For the second year in a row, professional photographers from Saudi Arabia and around the world have been invited to explore the kingdom and capture its diverse beauty through their lenses. Each year, a different region of Saudi Arabia is chosen as the focus of the award, and this year the lush oasis of Al Ahsa was the inspiration.
Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, spoke about the unique experience of the artists who participated in the exhibition.
“During the preparatory stage, the professional artists were immersed in Al Asa life, experiencing the environment and local way of life,” she said.
“The phrase ‘Alhasa Hasana’ resonated with them and symbolized the authenticity and authenticity of their experiences. It is this authenticity that we aim to capture and convey through this exhibition. is.”
Amin added about the goal of the exhibition: “This project has two objectives. The first is to create a visual archive of a specific location by collaborating with professional photographers around the world and within Saudi Arabia. Rather than documenting its unique aspects, I aim to capture the essence and pulse of a place through my artistic endeavors.
“The second objective is to discover and celebrate the immense talent of Saudi visual artists, promote inclusivity, and provide a platform for everyone to present their work.”
When asked about what visitors can learn from the exhibition, Amin emphasized the power of artistic communication and exchange. She said: “Art is a language for sharing thoughts, passions, concepts and ideas. Through this exhibition, we aim to amplify the voices of artists and create moments of connection between artists, audiences and communities. I am.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate local talent, bring people together, and provide an awakening for those unfamiliar with Saudi Arabia.”
Photographers selected to participate include Abd Shannan from Algeria, Alejandro Chaskielberg from Argentina, Farah Fawdeh from Jordan, Latifa Al Bokhari from Saudi Arabia, and compatriot Tasneem Al-Sultan .
Somji, photographer, curator and director of Gulf Photo Plus said: “Al-Ahsa has preserved the memory of Saudi culture since the dawn of time. It’s not just the fertile soil and lush date palm trees. It has influenced every aspect of Hassawi culture. Today, it resonates as a trace of a journey across time and kingdoms. ‘Al-Hassa Hasana’ is a film in which five photographers explore the region and explore its complex It distills the essence of Al Ahsa by telling the story of how connections connect people to the land. ”
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, each photographer presented their projects and shared how they capture the essence of the Al-Ahsa region through short presentations, highlighting the unique aspects of their work.
From the dreamlike landscapes of Chaskielberg to the intimate encounters on the streets of Shannan, each artist weaves a unique story. Al-Sultan honors the elders of the region, while Fawde envisions al-Ahsa as a sacred place for the aspirations of young women. Al-Bokhari deftly interweaves Al-Ahasa’s past memories with his present dreams and ambitions.
Raz Hansrod, General Manager of Gulf Photo Plus, said: “This exhibition explores the deep connections between people and the land of Al Ahsa, the world’s largest oasis. We wanted to uncover diverse stories about this place, so we wanted to explore different styles and interpretations of the landscape. We chose photographers with the following: They were tasked with telling a story closely connected to the place in a unique way.”
Regarding the curation process, Hansrod says: “Mohamed Somji used his extensive network to find five photographers whose styles matched well, yet were unique. Choosing people who were different yet complementary was a difficult task. ”
He also emphasized the exhibition’s aim to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of Al-Ahsa. “We want people to experience a nuanced and deep exploration of this region. We have been working to foster storytelling in this region for 15 years. It’s a testament to that effort. Additionally, to further encourage narrative storytelling, we’re running an open call to encourage bodies of work rather than single images.”
Mick Moore, CEO and creative director of the British Journal of Photography and a judge of the Kingdom Photography Award, praised the artists’ work.
“The work we just saw was really amazing. We found it fresh and different and included a variety of perspectives that would appeal to everyone. “We challenge expectations,” he said.
“It’s my first time in Saudi Arabia, but I came here with an open mind. I’ve heard interesting things about the creative arts scene here, and the standard of work I witnessed tonight is truly world class. Organizers did a great job and the images presented were simply amazing.”
The Kingdom Photography Award also includes a competition open to the public. This year, under the theme “We Tell Stories,” the award invited entrants to submit a series of photographs that tell the multifaceted story of the kingdom.
The five winning entries from the public exhibition will be announced on February 15th, and the winning photos will be displayed alongside the work of professional participants. In addition, the general winner will receive a cash prize of KSA 20,000 ($5,333) and an additional KSA 20,000 gift certificate.
To complement the exhibition, an attractive public program was planned, including panel discussions and photography workshops.