First Group Show Of Saudi Contemporary Art Comes To The Heart Of Arab America
Press release: Arab American National Museum
Epicenter X: Saudi Contemporary Art in Dearborn, MI represents the first exhibition of its kind from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to appear in Michigan. This timely exhibition opens in the Main Floor Gallery, Courtyard, Second Floor Atrium and The Annex at the Arab American National Museum (AANM) on July 8, 2017, and runs through October 1, 2017. The Museum welcomes the public to a free opening reception at AANM 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 2017; RSVP requested at http://bit.ly/EpicenterXrsvp.
Epicenter X explores contemporary Saudi culture by promoting meaningful dialogue between Saudi artists and U.S. audiences. Furthermore, the exhibition sheds light on the vast diversity of contemporary artistic practice in Saudi Arabia. Cutting through the political discourse of media outlets and government officials, the artworks featured in this exhibition open doors to the lives of the Saudi people. In doing so, this presentation will challenge common views and stereotypes of Arab culture by lending voice to artists exploring poignant ideas centered on urbanization, globalization, religion and the impact of American popular culture in Saudi society.
Both Dearborn, Michigan, and Saudi Arabia serve as iconic social and cultural epicenters. Dearborn lays claim to the highest concentration of Arab Americans in the U.S., and has been the final destination for immigrants from the Arab World for nearly a century. Saudi Arabia is home to the two holiest sites of Islam and functions at a crossroads of culture, most notably during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
The exhibition comes not long after President Trump’s much-publicized visit to Saudi Arabia.
“Despite its position as an ally of the United States, little is known about Saudi culture and its citizens for many in our nation,” says AANM Director Devon Akmon. Ithra Director, Tareq Alghamdicontinues: “We are pleased to provide an opportunity for Saudi artists to showcase their work in The Arab American National Museum. This exhibition fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and offers the chance for a wider audience to engage with the diversity within Saudi art.”
A variety of works in diverse mediums by both established and emerging artists will be featured in the exhibition. Highlights include photographs by current AANM resident artist Ayman Yossri Daydban; Ahmed Mater’s Golden Hour photograph from his Desert of Pharan series; Qamar Abdulmalik’sAsylum of Dreams installation; Marwah Al Mugait’s latest video installation We Were; Abdullah Al Othman’s multi-channel video installation The Experiment from the No-touch Torture Series; and design by Yusef Alahmad. Also featured in Epicenter X are three contemporary Qut murals (first shown in the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2015) created in the age-old traditional style of house-painting by skilled female artisans from Southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Participating Artists
Qamar Abdelmalik, Yusef Alahmad & Josh Higgins, Musaed Alhulis, Marwah Al Mugait, Arwa Al Neami, Ahmad Angawi, Amr Alngmah, Abdullah Al-Othman, Nasser Al Salem, Ayman Yossri Daydban, Abdulnasser Gharem, Ajlan Gharem, Fatimah Hassan, Ahmed Mater, Mawadah Muhtasib, Nugamshi, Shaweesh,
Qut Mural Artists
Safia Ahmed, Salehah Yahay Alalmaiy, Amira Al-Almai, Nala Ali, Salha Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Salehah Abdulzeaz Alraqde, Zaina Al-Shahrani, Jamelah Ali Alsoghayer, Arwa Mohammed Alzehr, Halimah Moshabab Assiry, Sharifa Ayed, Fawzeiyah Mohammed Barzyq, Fatimah Hassan, Sharifah Mohammed Mahdi, Jameelah Mater, Jewaher Mater, Reem Mater, Nawarah Abdolrahman Moghawi, Ohud Ebraheam Moghawi, Fatima Yahya Fatemah Faya Yaqub, Zohrah Faya Yaqub
Epicenter X marks the sixth stop on a multi-city Saudi artist’s tour of the U.S., and is supported byIthra, and coordinated by CULTURUNNERS. The tour, which launched in 2016 at the Station Museum in Houston, Texas before traveling to the Gonzo Gallery in Aspen, CO; Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco, CA, Bates College Museum of Art in Lewiston, Maine, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), CA; aims to generate people-to-people dialogue and better understanding between nations. Following a run at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the tour will continue to Salt Lake City, Memphis, Washington D.C. and New York.
About Ithra
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, simply known as Ithra, is a one-of-a-kind institution that brings together multiple offerings under one roof. From arts and culture to science and innovation, this bold initiative by Saudi Aramco promises a continuous journey of enrichment designed to energize the next knowledge economy of Saudi Arabia.
We aim to make a positive and tangible impact on the cultural scene by focusing on building local talents in the knowledge and creative industries. Blending iconic architectural design with advanced technology, and unique learning methods with enriching programs, Ithra is an infinitely inspiring platform for explorers, learners, creators, and leaders – a thriving hub of knowledge, creativity and cross-cultural engagement.
As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strives to achieve its ambitious national development goals to transition to a knowledge-based economy, Ithra acts as a bridge connecting cultures and cultivating a creative and innovative community.
At Ithra, we believe in the power of people and ideas to unlock new possibilities: the future is what we make of it.