Press Release
In the Night offers a journey through contemporary art practices exploring the mystery and beauty of the night.
International Archives 1st half of 2024
In the Night
Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, Riyad (Saudi Arabia)
15.02 - 20.05.2024
In a celebration of creativity and cultural enrichment, the Museums Commission, Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia proudly presents the groundbreaking exhibition, In the Night, at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA@Jax). This exhibition showcases the transformative power of art in interpreting the domain of the night. Artists from Saudi Arabia and the world, including from France, Germany, Belgium, Algeria, Lebanon, Pakistan and the UK, take part in the exhibition with creative artworks shedding light on the mystery of the night and its intricate dimensions.
The night, often a sanctuary for artists and poets, serves as a canvas for imagination, introspection, and observation. Curated by Gerladine Bloch, In the Night invites visitors to experience over thirty local and international artists’ interpretations of the nocturnal landscape, conveyed through a diverse range of mediums including sensory experiences, large canvases, installations, sculptures, and video works. Through its four thematic spaces titled “Cosmic Nights,” “Abundant Nights,” “Dreams,” and “Night Energy,” the exhibition takes visitors on a compelling journey where the night, whether distant or proximate, traces an imaginary geography of our dreams and fragility. The artworks on display collectively form a constellation of eyes fixed on our contemporary nights.
This exhibition not only underscores the rich tapestry of contemporary art but also marks a significant milestone in the cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia. The exhibition opened its doors to the public in February and will run until the end of May.
SAMoCA@Jax, the first Contemporary Art Museum in the country, recently opened its doors with the objectives to play a vital role in cultivating a vibrant contemporary art ecosystem, as well as empowering local artists. The Museum stands as a testament to the renaissance ushered in by Vision 2030—a vision that positions Saudi Arabia as a global hub for transformative creativity. Under the guiding principles of Vision 2030, and based on the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s strategy of promoting culture as a way of life, SAMoCA@Jax is positioned as a platform where local and international artists converge, connect, and grow. This is not just a museum; it’s the future of Contemporary Art for Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab region.
Participating artists: Vladimir Skoda; Muhannad Shono; Mohammed Alfaraj; Karine Hoffman; Faycal Baghriche; Claudia Tennant; Katarzyna Wiesiolek; Timo Nasseri; Sophie Ko; Hossein Valamanesh; Saad Qureshi; Faycal Baghriche; Youdishtir Maharjan; Waqas Khan; A. Alnabulsi; Nadezda Nikolova; Manuela Marques; Saad Qureshi; Manuela Marques; Ayesha Jatoi; Hiroshi Sugimoto; Armen Agop; Anri Sala; Charbel Joseph; Damien Beneteau; Levi Van Veluw; Walid El Masri; Corinne Mercadier; Hana Almilli; O. Paz; Younes Rahmoun; Andrey Zouari; Ben Cauchi; Hans Op De Beeck; Abeer Sultan; Félix Blume; Irem Sözen; Arwa Alneami; Zahra Bundakji.
Exhibition 15 February -
© ArtCatalyse International / Marika Prévosto 2024. All Rights Reserved
Muhannad Shono, A Song of Silence, 2024. Burnt palm. Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia.
