The Second Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah; A Reflection of New Saudi Arabia

Another session of the Islamic Arts Biennale has commenced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, starting from January 25 and continuing for four months. This grand exhibition, which juxtaposes contemporary artworks with historical artifacts from Islamic cultures, is particularly significant for pilgrims traveling to the birthplace of Islam. It also showcases the new image of Saudi Arabia, especially as envisioned by the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The 'exceptional' display of the Kaaba's curtain, known as 'Kiswah', began two weeks ago in one of the terminals of King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, which was once used by pilgrims heading to Mecca. The biennale space is covered with dozens of tall canopies, and what has attracted the most attention from visitors and media is the large display of the Kaaba curtain, which is made of black silk and embroidered with verses from the Quran. Every year during Hajj, the Kaaba curtain is replaced with a new one, and the old curtain is usually stored in a warehouse or sometimes divided into pieces and gifted by the Saudi government. Displaying the Kaaba curtain, once belonging to the holiest site for Muslims, as an artwork in an exhibition has been described by media as an 'unconventional' act. Farideh Hosseini, the director of this biennale, told Bloomberg that this is the first time the Kaaba curtain is displayed in its entirety and it may not happen again. According to her, the aim of showcasing the Kaaba curtain is to convey its grandeur and instill a sense of humility in visitors regarding their place as humans in the world. This year's exhibition is larger in scale compared to the 2023 exhibition, featuring over 500 other pieces, including a very large Quran and several ancient artifacts loaned from the Vatican, as well as contemporary works made from oil barrels. Although the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah will end before the Hajj ceremonies, it remains accessible to Muslims passing through Jeddah for Umrah and tourists visiting Saudi Arabia's attractions. Two years ago, more than 600,000 people visited the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, and organizers expect this year's visitor count to be at least as high as the previous session. However, this is not the first time exhibitions or museums have showcased Islamic arts. Previously, especially in cities like Cairo, Istanbul, and Doha, museums or exhibitions dedicated to this type of art have existed. What distinguishes the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah from similar events is its proximity to the birthplace of Islam and its connection to the current developments in Saudi Arabia. Until even a decade ago, public displays of art in Saudi Arabia were not common. Amin Jafar, one of the artistic directors of the Jeddah Contemporary Art Biennale, stated that holding this exhibition demonstrates that Saudi Arabia, once not recognized as a cultural arena, can now launch and execute large cultural projects that are not of second-rate quality. The Parisian newspaper 'Le Monde' also noted the biennale's collaboration with the Louvre Museum and the Vatican Library, stating that although there is no church in Saudi Arabia, the country aims to engage in cultural dialogue with the increasingly secular Western world. Bernard Haykel, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Princeton University, told Le Monde that this is a 'delicate and complex branding exercise, set against the backdrop of a country moving away from Wahhabism.' He added, 'The goal is to present Islam as a global civilization that has much to offer the world.' Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia continues to face criticism regarding its human rights record. According to recent reports, the number of executions in the country has increased compared to recent decades, reaching 330 last year. The Saudi government has consistently denied allegations of violating international human rights standards, claiming that the purpose of harsh punishments such as executions is to 'protect national security.'