Art Jameel, an organization supporting artists and creative communities, is hosting major exhibitions at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah. The exhibitions include ‘Moving Mountains’ by Ahaad Alamoudi and ‘Salt-Kissed: Of Vessels That Have Sailed The Red Sea’ from May 8 to October 26, 2024.
These exhibits, spanning two floors at Hayy Arts, feature modern and contemporary art in a curated museum-style format. They highlight over a dozen artists from 13 countries, exploring themes of Jeddah’s coastal influence and connections across the Red Sea region.
Nora Razian, Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions, Art Jameel: “We have a mandate at Art Jameel to deepen research in thematics of local and site-specific context. Our curatorial approach and public programmes are rooted in our strategic positions on the coasts of Jeddah and Dubai. We are proud to host Ahaad Alamoudi’s first institutional solo exhibition, here in Jeddah, where she grew up, and strongly believe that her practice reflects and documents the transformations sweeping over her hometown. Additionally, we have a keen interest in talent development via programmes such as the Curatorial Open Call which results in a poetic narrativization of the history of the Red Sea. ‘Salt-Kissed: Of Vessels That Have Sailed The Red Sea’ was thought-up by two brilliant emerging curators from Palestine, Ahmed Al-Aqra and Abed Alrahman Shabaneh, who put together an exhibition that that writes a story of the Red Sea through its many maritime routes, from deep history to the present.”
Ahaad Alamoudi: ‘Moving Mountains’
Curated by Rotana Shaker
Ground Floor, Hayy Arts
Caption: Moving Mountains (2024) by Ahaad Alamoudi, commissioned by Art Jameel, courtesy of the artist
Saudi artist Ahaad Alamoudi’s inaugural solo exhibition at an official institution focuses on the artists’ fascination with understanding our ties to rapidly evolving societies and cultures. Titled ‘Moving Mountains,’ this display combines newly commissioned pieces by Art Jameel with Alamoudi’s existing works, portraying Saudi Arabia’s landscapes as places ripe with potential, influenced by hard work and fueled by imagination. Through humorous and optimistic interpretations of familiar themes and symbols, Alamoudi encourages visitors to explore large-scale installations, performances, and videos that blur the lines between form and message.
‘Salt-Kissed: Of Vessels That Have Sailed The Red Sea’
Curated by Ahmed Alaqraa and Abdulrahman Shabana
First Floor, Hayy Arts
Caption: For the Sea, its Preservation and the Memory of its Revelation (2024) by Abdullah Sharw, courtesy of the artist
‘Salt-Kissed’ is the result of the first Art Jameel Curatorial Open Call, which was announced in August 2023 and then awarded to emerging Palestinian curators Ahmed Alaqraa and Abdulrahman Shabaneh through a jury selection process.
The curators partnered with Art Jameel and a team of artists to design an innovative exhibition exploring themes linked to the Red Sea. This includes its surrounding areas, historical backgrounds, natural settings, and the movement of people and ideas across this region.
Using a mix of old records, newly created artworks, and pieces from the Art Jameel Collection, ‘Salt-Kissed’ showcases how the Red Sea connects with its environment and nearby societies. It looks at both ancient and modern trade paths, traditional crafts, and the lasting impacts of colonial history.
Artists featured in the exhibition include: Monira AlQadiri, Ruba Al-Sweel, Suhaib Ayoub, Nour Bishouty, Anna Boghiguian, Shezad Dawood, Marie Grismar, Hasan Hujairi, Nidhi Mahajan & Moad Musbahi, Abdallah Sharw, Huda Tayob and Fatima Uzdenova.
The idea for this exhibition came from the first-ever ‘Art Jameel Curatorial Open Call,’ a program held every two years that gives young curators the chance to create an exhibition at Hayy Jameel. This exhibition focuses on the Red Sea and its surrounding areas, histories, and environments.
‘Moving Mountains’ and ‘Salt-Kissed: Of Vessels That Have Sailed The Red Sea’ are on view at Hayy Arts from May 8 to October 26, 2024. The opening preview (May 8, 6:30-9pm) is accompanied by curator-led tours and performances.
