RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Architecture and Design Commission on Wednesday announced it will take part in the 18th edition of the Venice Biennale next year. 

The 2023 Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition will be held from May 20 to Nov. 26 under the theme “The Laboratory of The Future.”

Commission CEO Sumaya Suleiman told a press conference that the Saudi pavilion will showcase local talents and skills in architecture and design.

“This version of the biennale seeks architectural solutions to contemporary social and human issues, especially since the architect’s nature urges him to continue searching for solutions and innovations,” she said.

Suleiman said that the commission wants to open participation to all architects, researchers and specialists in an bid to discover and support talent, as well as promote equal and optimum opportunities.

Previously, the Kingdom has taken part in two editions of the biennale.

The first was in 2018 under the theme “Freespace,” which related to urban planning and its impact on social life.

Interactions between people, societies and places were an essential part of the Kingdom’s first national pavilion, Suleiman said.

The second participation in 2021 — under the theme “How Will We Live Together?” — explored life in a post-pandemic world.

Feedback from critics for both was positive, Suleiman said.

The Kingdom’s participation in the biennale is important because “we are talking about a dialogue on a global scale and on a global platform,” she added.

Suleiman described participation in the biennale as a “positive outcome consistent with the strategic direction of the commission.”

She added: “We wish to put the Kingdom at the forefront of the global creative scene by giving opportunities to talents, and access to international platforms and the biennale is one of the largest.” 

Architects, specialists and researchers in the Kingdom can apply through https://engage.moc.gov.sa/venicebiennale/ 

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