NEW YORK: One minute, you are in a fancy gallery on New York’s Park Avenue, the next you are with a Saudi Arabian artist deep in the sands of the Kingdom’s deserts — a 10,000km journey made possible at the press of a button thanks to virtual reality (VR) headsets.
That was the experience of Mariana Souza, a 25-year-old New Yorker, who watched the 15-minute VR documentary at a show in midtown Manhattan on Monday about being an artist in a fast-changing Saudi Arabia.
“It was really interesting to listen to people really from there, rather than watching about them on the news,” Souza told Arab News, after peering into the goggles, tilting her head and spinning around on a rotating chair.
Beside her, everyone from teenagers to pensioners was trying out the VR headsets, swinging their heads around as they listened to Saudi artists describing the relaxing of cultural rules in a conservative society.
“It’s kind of showing people who might not be aware of what’s going on over there that it’s a modern culture as well as an ancient culture — people usually think that’s it’s just one or the other,” Souza said.
“It shows a balance and how people there respect their past and are also moving forward.”
In the documentary, artists describe how reforms are changing life for women, and how a cultural and religious prohibition on depicting people has been loosened, opening doors for painters, sculptors and other artists.
“I’m telling the story of a changing society through the perspective of its artists, using a similar language to what the artists use every day,” Matteo Lonardi, the Italian filmmaker who directed the VR film, told Arab News.
“It’s about a moment where nobody knows what will happen. A moment in the middle, a limbo, where people have lots of expectations, without knowing exactly what to expect. A moment to push their boundaries, but nobody knows how far they can push them.”
The high-tech art show, called “Reframe Saudi,” runs at Phillips auctioneers on Park Avenue from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Thursday. It features Lonardi’s documentary and the works of some two dozen Saudi artists.
Ahmed Mater, director of the Misk Art Institute, which organized the display, said it showed Manhattanites “how art and the creative industries are an integral part of the change that is transforming Saudi Arabia.”
“It is essential at this time that Saudi artists engage with audiences around the world, as they are here in New York, to help to tell the continuing story of change in Saudi Arabia,” said Mater, a Saudi doctor-turned-artist from Tabuk who works in film and photos.
The show dovetails with the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was in New York on Monday meeting Wall Street money men on his first official visit to the US since becoming King Salman’s heir last year.
Ayesha Malik, 28, a Saudi-born Pakistani-American photographer who documents the similarities between the lives of everyday folk in Saudi Arabia and America, described a burgeoning arts scene in the Kingdom.
"It’s a historic time and just exceptionally exciting to be an artist as society opens up as we create more galleries and art collectives. I came across a feminist art exhibition a few years ago and it’s just impressive that we’re seeing more and more of this kind of creativity nowadays,” Malik told Arab News.
“The opening of movie theatres means that Saudi filmmakers can now think about airing their work in their home country. There are fewer restrictions on concerts for musicians. It’s great to think that the country is opening doors for you rather than trying to close them."
The Misk Art Institute is tasked with turning Saudi Arabia into a home for grassroots cultural creativity, diplomacy and global exchanges via art festivals, workshops and competitions for fledgling Saudi artists.
The VR documentary is accompanied by a display of artworks by some two dozen artists from across the country, including bespoke Al-Qatt Al-Asiri mural paintings by women artists from southern Saudi Arabia.
Ali Moghawi, a New York-based Saudi writer involved in the murals, told Arab News that the Asir region’s tradition “deserves to be documented and spread” and is an “amazing catalyst for all those interested in art and museums.”
“For decades, reviving Al-Qatt Al-Asiri traditional art was no more than a dream,” Moghawi said.
“Now, we witness the realization of this dream as we are provided with an international platform where we can share it and provide art lovers and enthusiasts with the opportunity to behold the beauty of this ancient art and delve into its shapes, colors and geometric angles.”
Last year, the UN’s cultural wing, UNESCO, inscribed the Saudi tradition of group mural painting on its prestigious list of “intangible cultural heritage,” alongside the time-tested skills of falconry and throwing good pizza dough.
New Yorkers strap on virtual reality goggles for Saudi culture
New Yorkers strap on virtual reality goggles for Saudi culture
Preservation of heritage and nature top priority for Soudah Peaks project, says head developer
- Project prioritizes sustainable environmental practices and protection of natural landscapes, cultural heritage and region’s unique architecture, says Daniel McBrearty
- The project aims to establish a luxurious mountain tourism destination at an altitude of 3,015m above sea level in the Asir region of southwestern Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Soudah Development company plans to rehabilitate about 200 heritage sites within the Soudah Peaks project area in Saudi Arabia, and the work will be carried out in ways that preserve the authentic nature and natural splendor of the area, said Daniel McBrearty, the organization’s chief development officer.
The preservation of the sites and the natural landscapes around them is of paramount importance to the company as it undertakes its transformative tourism project, he added.
McBrearty told the Saudi Press Agency: “The Soudah project’s master plan places sustainable environmental practices at the forefront, ensuring the protection of natural landscapes, cultural heritage and the unique architectural style of the region.”
The Soudah Peaks project aims to establish a luxurious mountain tourism destination at an altitude of 3,015 meters above sea level in the Asir region of southwestern Saudi Arabia. In keeping with the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, only 1 percent of the 627-square-kilometer project area has been allocated for development.
“We will focus on safeguarding the environment and mitigating climate change impacts,” McBrearty said. “Soudah Development is committed to translating climate ambitions into tangible sustainability efforts aimed at restoring and reviving the area’s exceptional biodiversity.”
Several environmental initiatives are already underway, he said, most notably an afforestation project that aims to plant more than a million trees by 2030, in support of the Saudi Green Initiative and to help offset carbon emissions by 4 percent.
Soudah Development has already planted 165,000 indigenous trees, SPA reported, including species such as juniper, wild acacia, Dodonaea and katam (wild olive). This has taken place in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, to help achieve environmental balance and climate resilience.
And in partnership with the National Center for Wildlife, the company has reintroduced 23 mountain ibexes and 10 idmi, or mountain, gazelles in the past three years, supporting efforts to protect the species from extinction.
McBrearty said that working under the auspices of the Public Investment Fund, the company is leading the development of Soudah Peaks to enhance the Kingdom’s increasingly diverse tourism offerings.
“The luxury mountain resort will feature 2,700 hospitality keys, 1,336 residential units and 80,000 square meters of commercial space across six development zones: Tahlal, Sahab, Sabrah, Jareen, Rijal and Red Rock,” he explained.
“By 2033, the project is projected to create thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, contribute over SR29 billion ($7.7 billion) to the non-oil GDP (gross domestic product), and attract 10 million visitors annually by 2030, aligning with the nation’s tourism goals.”
Developers say Soudah Peaks will offer a wide range of attractions and activities, including mountain trails, long-distance hiking paths, paragliding, mountain biking, horseback riding and zipline adventures. Nature lovers will be able to immerse themselves in the natural splendor of its attractions, including national parks, biodiversity and agricultural terraces, and indulge in luxurious wellness experiences at eco-resorts, meditation centers and yoga retreats. There will also be an 18-hole golf course atop Soudah mountain, and mild temperatures of around 15 degrees Celsius will allow visitors and residents to enjoy the outdoor pursuits year-round.
Saudi Arabia, Japan leaders exchange views in video summit meeting
- The crown prince expressed his desire to visit Japan as soon as possible to further strengthen ties with Japan
- Kishida expressed his wishes for King Salman’s early recovery
TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio held a productive video meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the prime minister of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
Kishida offered his best wishes for King Salman’s health, a gesture that was appreciated by the crown prince.
The crown prince expressed his desire to visit Japan as soon as possible to further strengthen ties with Japan. Kishida expressed his wishes for King Salman’s early recovery and said that he was also looking forward to strengthening the strategic partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia, according to the foreign ministry in Tokyo.
As the two countries approach the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the Japanese prime minister expressed his desire to work even more closely with Saudi Arabia. He emphasized the shared goal of realizing peace and stability in the Middle East, a sentiment that was echoed by the crown prince. The leaders agreed to establish a “strategic partnership council” chaired by them to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Kishida expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s stable supply of crude oil to Japan over the years. He also expressed his anticipation for Saudi Arabia to continue playing a leading role in stabilizing the global oil market, including through production increases, a sentiment that was appreciated by the crown prince.
Kishida added that he would like to cooperate in establishing a global supply chain for clean energy, such as hydrogen and ammonia, and promote cooperation in the field of mineral resources while using Japanese technology under the “lighthouse initiative” agreed between the two countries in July last year.
The crown prince said that Saudi Arabia would like to cooperate with Japan in various areas, including clean energy, and the Kingdom remained committed to providing a stable supply of crude oil to Japan.
Kishida expressed interest in creating business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, and making direct investments in Japan in a wide range of fields, including construction, power transmission, hydrogen, digital fields, information and communications technology, space, health, medicine, food and agriculture.
He also said that he would like to work together to achieve an early realization of the Japan-GCC free trade agreement. This agreement, once implemented, will significantly boost trade and investment between Japan and the GCC countries, creating new business opportunities and fostering economic growth. Negotiations are scheduled to resume soon.
The crown prince said that he welcomed the resumption of negotiations for the Japan-GCC free trade agreement and cooperation with Japan in fields beyond energy.
On peace and security, Kishida explained Japan’s diplomatic efforts and contributions in Gaza, including humanitarian aid and diplomatic initiatives. The crown prince said that he envisioned continued cooperation with Japan on diplomatic efforts to realize peace and stability, appreciating Japan’s active role in the region.
Kishida said that he would be pleased to hand over the symbolic “torch” of the expo to Saudi Arabia following Expo 2025 in Osaka-Kansai. This act symbolizes the continuation of the spirit of international cooperation and cultural exchange. He added that he would like to encourage cultural exchanges in entertainment, tourism, academia and football.
The crown prince said that Japan was an outstanding country in terms of culture and that he sought to strengthen cooperation with Japan in this area.
Read More: Saudi, Japan discuss ties at Vision 2030 business forum in Tokyo
300 tons of Zamzam supplied daily in Madinah
- To ensure that Zamzam water is safe, a specialized technical staff takes more than 80 samples daily and examines them with the latest equipment
RIYADH: The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque exerts all efforts to provide Zamzam water at the Prophet’s Mosque so that worshippers and visitors can enjoy the blessed water.
The authority supplies 300 tons of Zamzam water, brought daily from Makkah to the mosque in Madinah on bowsers equipped for this purpose, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
To ensure that Zamzam water is safe, a specialized technical staff takes more than 80 samples daily and examines them with the latest equipment.
Meanwhile, Zamazemah Co. and the Coordination Council for Institutions and Companies Serving Domestic Pilgrims (Mutahed) signed a memorandum to provide Zamzam water bottles to domestic pilgrims during Hajj.
Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat attended the signing. This agreement aims to ensure high-quality services for pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia a ‘faithful friend’ of Cameroon, says envoy
- Cameroon’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia said that cooperation between his country and the Kingdom has “continued to deepen over the decades”
RIYADH: Cameroon has celebrated its national day at a diplomatic event in Riyadh, with the country’s ambassador hailing Saudi Arabia as a “faithful friend.”
Iya Tidjani, speaking at a reception on Monday in the Saudi capital to mark Cameroon’s 52nd national day, said that cooperation between his country and the Kingdom has “continued to deepen over the decades.”
Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf was the guest at the reception, which was attended by diplomats in Riyadh, Saudi officials and businessmen, the Cameroonian community and embassy staff.
“Since 1966, the year of establishment of relations between the two countries, these ties have continued to deepen and diversify to the mutual benefit of both countries,” Tidjani said.
The ambassador praised Saudi Arabia for sending medical missions every year to support the Cameroonian health sector.
“Our government also expresses sincere thanks to Saudi Arabia for their laudable efforts for the Hajj, both in terms of organization and infrastructure,” he added.
In 2019, the Great Mosque of Maroua in northern Cameroon was inaugurated, built with the support of Saudi Arabia.
The mosque can accommodate up to 5,000 worshipers and is “considered one of the most beautiful achievements in mosque construction in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Tidjani.
The ambassador highlighted Cameroon’s battle against the Boko Haram militant organization, describing Saudi Arabia as a “friend and a major player … as can be seen from its role in the fight against terrorism.”
He added: “Cameroon and Saudi Arabia share similar views on international issues and Cameroon joins the international community to support Saudi Arabia in its effort toward peace in the Middle East and beyond.”
Cameroon’s national day on May 20 saw citizens celebrate the “unity, peace and stability of a country firmly committed to the path of emergence,” the embassy said in a statement.
Saudi center maps 246 areas to fight desertification
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification has completed a significant step in its fight against desertification: the first phase of a project to assess the state of land degradation across the Kingdom, resulting in the creation of 246 detailed maps.
These maps provide valuable insight into desertification trends and the current state of land degradation in different regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The center’s teams conducted extensive studies to better understand the processes of desertification and land degradation and to identify effective strategies to combat them.
The project combined cutting-edge technologies and traditional methods to gather data, including geographic information systems, remote sensing techniques, and field surveys.
Fieldwork included collecting soil samples for analysis, studying plant life at designated sites, and analyzing satellite imagery.
The center has launched the second phase of the project, starting in the Riyadh region. During this phase, it will focus on identifying areas most vulnerable to desertification, classifying the causes and types of land degradation, and conducting further field surveys to gather more detailed data.
