Closing activities "Diriyah Biennial" In Jax Creative District

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Closing activities "Diriyah Biennial" In Jax Creative District

The activities of the third session of Diriyah Biennial for contemporary art, which was supervised by the Diriyah Biennial Foundation under the title "In the solution and travel"It is located in the creative Jax district in Diriyah, near the historic Al-Turaif neighborhood, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, as this session witnessed the participation of 68 artists from more than 37 countries.

The current course was supervised by the technical directors, Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed, and was inspired by the course "In the solution and travel" Its themes include movements, migrations, and transformations that formed bridges that linked The Arabian Peninsula in the world through various eras, and its intersections in collective memory, history, vocabulary, songs, stories, and rhythms.

New works of art

The 2026 edition displayed more than 25 new artworks produced on special commission from the Foundation, distributed in the internal galleries and outdoor spaces over an area of approximately 12,900 square metres, within a unique scenographic design created by the Italian design studio Forma Fantasma.

The closing week witnessed the holding of many artistic and cultural events, including musical evenings with the artists Hussein Nasser Al-Din and Nancy Mounir, and dialogue sessions with many of the artists participating in the exhibition. Biennale and open studio events in Jax, as well as exciting events in the outdoor spaces of the Jax neighborhood, including stations from chefs, independent vendors, and DJ music.

A new stage

Represents Biennale "In the solution and travel" The fifth stop in the series of biennials organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation to date. It also indicates the beginning of a new phase in the journey of the Jax neighborhood, as this session witnessed the expansion of the biennale to include new spaces that were recently opened within the neighborhood, in a step that reflects the Foundation’s vision to develop the Jax neighborhood to be a home for creativity in the Kingdom.

Work is currently underway on a new urban plan under the supervision of the International Architectural Design Office (OMA), would increase the number of tenants in the neighborhood to 215, on an area of approximately 78,000 square meters, while hosting more studios, galleries, and creative institutions in the coming years, so that the Biennale and the Jax neighborhood together continue to consolidate their position as a creative environment centered on artists, and one of the main pillars of the Saudi cultural scene.

Musical performances

Shape the performance "Folding tents" (2026) is one of the most prominent stations of this session, as it was presented by the Saudi artist Muhammad Al-Hamdan (Hamdan) at the opening ceremony, and the show witnessed the passage of a convoy of cars "The shas" Accompanied by musicians, Wadi Hanifa is a historic, seasonal valley that runs its course through the Jax neighborhood, and was an important part of the history of life in the city of Riyadh. The caravan concluded with a series of live musical and poetic performances.

The exhibition also included other prominent works, including the opening work "A volcano above this green feather" By artist Petrit Halilai, an installation in which he presented 38 drawings that he completed when he was a thirteen-year-old refugee child, after enlarging them and printing them on felt cloth, in addition to the artwork. "Home of eternity" By artist Theo Mercier, it is a new commission from the Foundation, and it consists of three huge sand installations, showcasing in their geological formations the effects of nature and culture on the surrounding environment, and"Maqamat" Formed by research and field visits by participating artists, including Yusuf Agbo-Ola [استوديو أولانيي]Nancy Mounir, George Mahashi, and others.

Public interaction

Aya Al-Bakri, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said: "With the conclusion of the course “On Solution and Travel,” we celebrate a course that derived its vitality and impact from the audience’s presence and interaction with it.

The title of this course summarizes a deep history of transfers, migrations, and transformations that have woven the features of this region over the centuries. This session brought together artists, communities and ideas from different parts of the world in the Jax neighborhood in Diriyah. We witnessed the depth of the public’s connection with works of art, and the role that cultural programs played in weaving constructive dialogues that extended beyond the walls of the galleries. This year, we are celebrating the fifth biennale that we are organizing, and each session has been an affirmation of the importance of the role that these biennials play in the Saudi and international cultural sector, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to reviving this session and making it a success."

Art projects

As the artistic directors of the Diriyah Biennial of Contemporary Art 2026, Noura Razian and Sabih Ahmed, explained: "With the conclusion of the ‘On Solution and Travel’ activities, his message of continuity and solidarity remains strongly present. We have had the honor of presenting a diverse and comprehensive range of voices through artworks commissioned by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, existing artistic projects, and impressive programs and performances, including the “Taqwa” and “Al-Mutadarak” series, which shed light on our deep-rooted inherited knowledge and its contemporary manifestations. We hope that the Biennale will continue to remain in the hearts of its thousands of visitors, and its wonderful hosts and guides, and that its echo will remain alive throughout Diriyah and the city of Riyadh.".

This session also witnessed the opening of a new, permanent building dedicated to cultural programs in the Jax district, designed by the Parisian Architecture Studio (Golem), to serve the region’s community and visitors even after the end of the Biennale. An illustrated guide to this session was also issued in cooperation with the publishing house (Mousse).