22 artists from Saudi Arabia, Arab countries and Europe respond to the urgent call of 21,39 Jeddah Arts

The Saudi Art Council gears up to launch its 7th edition of 21,39 Jeddah Arts, entitled “I LOVE YOU, URGENTLY”, a call to action in response to the environmental emergency, to be opened to the public on January 28th at their headquarters in Gold Moor Mall, Jeddah.

“I LOVE YOU, URGENTLY” is an unexpected address emphasizing the highly personal dynamics of the epoch. More than 60 artists, architects, designers, and thinkers search for tangible solutions, seeking alternative and symbiotic ways to inhabit our planet.  

“The city of Jeddah has long been at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary art scene, and we are excited to bring creative responses to environmental concerns to the table with the seventh edition of 21,39 Jeddah Arts. As a culturally rich melting pot, Jeddah is a place of exchange for new ideas, and we look forward to presenting a multifaceted program that we hope will be the springboard for dialogue between local and international artists and audiences, and which will give voice to young people through an extensive educational outreach program,” said HRH Princess Jawaher bint Majed bin Abdulaziz, Chairwoman of the Saudi Art Council.  

Maya El Khalil, curator of the 7th edition of 21,39 Jeddah Arts, said the three-month artistic event takes place in two main areas, the Saudi Art Council headquarters and Jeddah historical area, specifically in Beit Serti, which was prepared specially to host some of the activities of this year’s exhibition. 

"Saudi Contemporary artists have received unprecedented support to enable them to present their works in the best way and participate in creating artistic solutions to major environmental problems at the local level. The richness of imagination that this group of participating artists contributed to provide active responses. New perspectives are granted through object-oriented ontology and speculative fiction; meditative actions; social systems and structures mapping to better understand where problems and potential lie," El Khalil added.

A wide range of Saudi, Arab and European artists from various artistic backgrounds and specialties, such as painting, sculpting, audiovisual production, structures designs as well as other artistic applications, will participate in the 7th edition of 21,39 Jeddah Arts exhibition this year. The list of participating artists includes Ayman Zedani, Aziz Jamal, Cristiana De Marchi, Daniah Al Saleh, Duran Lantink, Fahad bin Naif & Alaa Tarabzouni, Farah K. Behbehani, Filwa Nazer, Maha Nasrallah, Manal AlDowayan, Marwah AlMugait, Mohammad Alfaraj, Mohammed Kazem, Muhannad Shono, Obadah Aljefri, Omar Abduljawad, Nasser Al Salem, Nojoud Alsudairi, Raja’a Khalid, Sultan Bin Fahd and Zahrah Alghamdi. 

 
El Khalil pointed out that this year's edition will include lectures, workshops and panel discussions, as well as discovery trips to the historical area of Jeddah.

The 7th edition of Jeddah Art 21,39 is made possible by the support and sponsorship of Al Mansouria Foundation, UBS and Van Cleef & Arpels.