Diriyah (Riyadh), March 24th, 2024
The JAX District is delighted to announce the opening of its nine-day Ramadan Market, a dedicated community program for visitors of all ages and that is part of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s “Layali Biennale” program (“Biennale Nights” in English).
JAX RAMADAN MARKET
Taking place at JAX, a former industrial neighborhood revitalized in 2020 into a creative district that houses some of the most influential cultural and creative institutions in Saudi Arabia, the JAX Ramadan Market will run every day after sunset from March 24th to April 1st, 2024, from 8:30 PM to 2:00 AM. It will bring together cuisines presented by homegrown culinary brands featuring local produce, traditional hot and cold dishes, as well as pop-ups, live music, and activities for visitors of all ages.
The Ramadan Market will also offer guests the unique opportunity to visit neighboring exhibitions and the galleries and studios of some of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent artists, including Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono, and many others. Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, says: “At the heart of our Layali Biennale program in Ramadan, is the intention to inspire our visitors to choose to spend their Ramadan nights surrounded by creativity in all its forms. We are delighted to welcome communities of all ages to the Ramadan Market this year, which promises to present homegrown Saudi Arabian culinary delights and the unique opportunity to visit live exhibitions, galleries and studios and meet the beating heart of JAX: our community of resident artists, makers and creatives.”
EXHIBITIONS
· The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, titled “After Rain,” artistically directed by Ute Meta Bauer, features 177 artworks by 100 artists from over 40 countries, exploring the necessity of water for all forms of life that dwell and seek shelter on our planet.
· “Alf Layla W Layla” by Rashed AlShashai will be on show at Shashai Studio in the JAX District’s warehouse F05 from 7:00 PM until 1:00 AM until April 19th.
· Hafez Gallery’s exhibition “Contemplation Effect” in warehouse H19, open until May 24th.
· Abdulaziz Ashour’s “Influence to Transform” at Misnad Studio in warehouse F03b until March 30th, 2024, and “Lunayyir” by Moath Aloifi in warehouse F04a, until April 30th, 2024.
· The group exhibition, titled “Harakah,” highlights works by emerging and established local artists and will be open until April 7th, in warehouse F04.
OPEN STUDIOS
The District’s resident artists will also keep their studios open to visitors to explore their work and shed light on their process and inspiration, including:
· Wasm Studio in warehouse C08, running until May 24th from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
· Metra Studio in warehouse H15b, running until May 24th from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
· Fahad Al-Naima in J02a, running until April 7 from 9:00 pm to 12:00 am.
· Nasser al Turki Studio in H17, running until April 9th from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
· Maissa Shaldan in J01, running until April 1 from 10:00 pm to 12 am.
SAUDI ARABIA MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (SAMOCA)
· The exhibition “In the Night” is also currently open until May 20th from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM.
ABOUT JAX:
JAX District has led the transformation of an industrial heritage site in Diriyah into a creative hub that acclaimed artists, prestigious galleries, and leading media and creative agencies now call home. JAX District provides shared spaces and a platform for the cultural community of Saudi Arabia to contribute to the development of the creative ecosystem, cementing the JAX District’s position as a global destination for art and creativity.
Today, the community in Diriyah hosts some of Riyadh’s groundbreaking events, most notably the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the first Contemporary Art Museum in Saudi Arabia (SAMOCA), MDLBEAST XP Music Futures, Noor Riyadh and Hia Hub, Saudi Arabia’s largest fashion and lifestyle conference.
ABOUT DIRIYAH BIENNALE FOUNDATION
Inspired by the changes taking place in Saudi Arabia and the heritage site of Diriyah, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation assumes a critical role in nurturing creative expression and instilling an appreciation for culture and the arts and their transformative potential. The Foundation aspires to be a catalyst for lifelong learning and serves Saudi Arabia’s communities by offering opportunities to engage with the burgeoning local art scene. At this historical moment of evolution and growth in Saudi Arabia, these Biennales will showcase some of the world’s leading artists, drive cultural exchange between the Kingdom and international communities, promote dialogue and understanding, and further establish Saudi Arabia as an important cultural center.
