Misk Art Week returns for artists, enthusiasts in Riyadh

Art enthusiasts in Riyadh rushed to Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall and its neighboring venue to explore new exhibitions, art fairs, markets, and educational programs for Misk Art Week. (AN photos)
Short Url
Updated 06 December 2024
Follow

Misk Art Week returns for artists, enthusiasts in Riyadh

  • ‘Seeing Riyadh’ exhibition features photographs of Saudi Arabia’s capital down the years

RIYADH: The eighth annual Misk Art Week began on Thursday and runs until Dec. 10, featuring a spectacular display of what is all the latest on the local art scene.

Enthusiasts rushed to Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall and its neighboring venue to explore new exhibitions, art fairs, markets, and educational programs, while the soothing sounds of oud music added charm to the evening




The interactive experience invites visitors to explore and create parallel worlds in real-time through generative artificial intelligence. (AN photo)

Ibrahem Al-Suhaibani, executive director for marketing, communication, and user experience at Misk Art Institute, told Arab News: “We do have artists who are now establishing their career in the art and design market.

“So, we see ourselves supporting and bridging between the establishment and the mature galleries, and in between we support the artists through all the value chain.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• At Misk Art Week, Canadian art studio Iregular is presenting ‘As Water Falls,’ a free-flowing digital waterfall that continuously evolves.

• ‘Alternative Realities’ invites visitors to explore and create parallel worlds in real-time through generative artificial intelligence.

• The ‘Obsolete Technologies’ showcase features works from local and international artists.

This year’s event is curated around the theme of art and technology, pushing artists to contemplate the aspects of digital and media through an artistic lens.




The educational program and mentorship sessions are also part of the Institute’s strategy to educate, enable, and encourage new generations of artists. (AN photo)

Al-Suhaibani added: “We tackle the topic from different angles: from a research angle, before internet, post-internet, what’s the impact of the technology and the media, how this is helping artists to boost their creativity or even block them in any way, and how they really reveal their creativity after that blocking.”

At the entrance of the space, inspired by how nature is alive and ever-changing, the Canadian art studio Iregular presents “As Water Falls,” a free-flowing digital waterfall that continuously evolves with alternating patterns and visuals that will never be the same for at least 100 years.




The Art Fair space is bigger this year, which features works from 11 Saudi-based galleries including Hewar Art, Mono, Hafez, WRD Art, ATHR, Dawi, and others. (AN photo)

While the digital installation has been presented in seven countries around the world this year, an addition was created especially for Misk Art Week, Al-Suhaibani said, and is being shown for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

Further into the outdoor space, the studio presents “Alternative Realities,” an interactive experience that invites visitors to explore and create parallel worlds in real-time through generative artificial intelligence.




The Art Fair space is bigger this year, which features works from 11 Saudi-based galleries including Hewar Art, Mono, Hafez, WRD Art, ATHR, Dawi, and others. (AN photo)

By combining word prompts and arranging a variety of props at their disposal, participants can craft infinite combinations of realities that range from slightly different to wildly surreal.

Al-Suhaibani said: “We have four shows in total for Misk Art Week, all of them around media and technology in a different format.”




The interactive experience invites visitors to explore and create parallel worlds in real-time through generative artificial intelligence. (AN photo)

The exhibitions include the Masaha Residency’s “Obsolete Technologies” showcase, which features works from local and international artists; the “Seeing Riyadh” exhibition, which explores the city’s significant transformation over the past decade through photography; the Misk Art Grant’s “Digital Civilizations” outdoor exhibit, which taps into phenomena shaped by modern technology; and “The Silent Age of Singularity” exhibition, which investigates the post-internet era.

Al-Suhaibani said: “Riyadh has been evolving in the past few years, especially now with the announcement of the metro starting to operate.




The educational program and mentorship sessions are also part of the Institute’s strategy to educate, enable, and encourage new generations of artists. (AN photo)

“Riyadh is hosting big events and has become a hub. So, we felt this year that we needed to highlight Riyadh, especially at the beginning of the ’80s and ’90s.”

Additionally, the event includes an art book fair featuring a number of international, regional, and local publishers to celebrate the rich and diverse Arab art culture; and an extended art and design market with 92 artists and entities at which the local community can engage, sell, and commission unique works.

“We designed it in a way that anyone walking by the market can see everything. And there is a diversity between painting, photography, sculpting projects, and even design,” Al-Suhaibani said.

The educational program and mentorship sessions are also part of the institute’s strategy to educate, enable, and encourage new generations of artists.

The art fair space is bigger this year, and features works from 11 Saudi-based galleries including Hewar Art, Mono, Hafez, WRD Art, ATHR, and Dawi.

Al-Suhaibani added: “We believe today the market desires to have galleries more specialized to support artists and to showcase their artwork.”

The Misk Art Week mural is also a feature and an interactive space crafted to showcase the creativity of young talents. As children contribute unique visions that are then displayed on a wall, they collectively shape a masterpiece that evolves with each individual contribution. With the help of augmented reality tech, the artwork comes to life in an entirely new dimension.

Misk Art Institute’s goal is to create a cohesive environment in which all artists, regardless of their background, can thrive.

 


Kingdom’s 75-year green plan ‘a battle for cleaner air, healthier soil’

Updated 9 sec ago
Follow

Kingdom’s 75-year green plan ‘a battle for cleaner air, healthier soil’

  • National Greening Program official outlines afforestation program
  • Scheme aims to combat land degradation, boost biodiversity

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s 75-year afforestation program is a battle for cleaner air and healthier soil, according to the general manager of the National Greening Program.

Ahmed Al-Anzi made the statement on Tuesday during a presentation titled “Shaping a Sustainable Future for Saudi Landscapes” at the World Environment Social and Governance Summit in Riyadh.

The National Center for Vegetation Cover official spoke about the road map to combat land degradation, boost biodiversity and improve air quality by 2100.

“Trees grow slowly, ecosystems rebuild incrementally. Our vision extends to 2100 to ensure real impact,” Al-Anzi said.

The phased plan allowed for adaptive responses to climate shifts, with milestones aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals, he said.

Respiratory diseases caused by pollution and sand particles are a significant cause of death in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Anzi said the program represented a battle for cleaner air and healthier soil.

“Our satellite-based NDVI mapping reveals both vegetation decline and recovery pathways,” he said, referring to the surveying method that assesses the density of vegetation.

He highlighted efforts to target zones ravaged by overgrazing and urban sprawl and said that NGP strategies included enforcing protections for the remaining green corridors.

The program’s goal was “to plant 10 million native trees annually by 2030, prioritizing drought-resistant species,” he said.

Deploying AI systems to optimize renewable water use, including treated wastewater, was crucial, and the NGP aimed to train 20,000 citizens in land stewardship through community partnerships, he said.

Al-Anzi also highlighted the program’s efforts to create new forests.

Tree planting initiatives, including mangroves, had achieved “impressive results with over 128 million trees planted to date” and in terms of land rehabilitation, “we have prioritized soil conservation and afforestation, successfully rehabilitating over 288,000 hectares of land,” he said.

The program’s land protection efforts have also focused on measures such as establishing national parks.

“To date, the program has protected more than 4.4 million hectares of land through these efforts,” Al-Anzi said.


Saudi FM heads Kingdom’s delegation at Paris AI Summit

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends the AI Action Summit being held in Paris. (SPA)
Updated 22 min 11 sec ago
Follow

Saudi FM heads Kingdom’s delegation at Paris AI Summit

  • Prince Faisal is attending the global summit on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SPA said

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is heading the Kingdom’s delegation to the AI Action Summit being held in Paris, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Prince Faisal is attending the global summit on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SPA added.

The summit is bringing together almost a hundred countries and more than one thousand private sector and civil society representatives from across the world, invited on an inclusive basis in recognition of their commitment to the action promoted by the summit and their desire to contribute actively to debate.

India will host the next international summit on artificial intelligence after co-hosting with France in Paris on Monday and Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron’s office said.


Pepsico set to expand in the Kingdom, with new HQ opening in Riyadh

Updated 41 min 43 sec ago
Follow

Pepsico set to expand in the Kingdom, with new HQ opening in Riyadh

  • President said PepsiCo had made investments of up to $2.5 billion in the last 10 years

DUBAI: The soft drinks manufacturer Pepsico is set to open its new regional headquarters in Riyadh this month as part of its expansion, President and General Manager of PepsiCo MENA Ahmed ElSheikh told Arab News on Monday.

“We are opening a new office at King Abdullah Financial District, which is going to be the key head office,” ElSheikh said

PepsiCo is also investing in a research and development facility in KAFD, he added, describing Riyadh as “the hub of the Middle East” with an ever-growing market.

The president said PepsiCo had made investments of up to $2.5 billion in the last 10 years. Recently, $55 million was invested to expand their capabilities.

“So, this is about investment: investment in offices, investment in R&D, and investment in capacity,” he said.

“We’re bullish about the growth in the Middle East.”

Pepsico currently has two manufacturing plants in the Kingdom: one in Damam and one in Riyadh, which exports to the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

When asked how rapid market changes are affecting the brand, ElSheikh said Pepsico adapts to trends quickly.

“Health and wellness and fitness is a new trend, especially for Gen Z,” he said, referencing products such as Forno (baked potato) chips and Gatorade, which are growing in popularity among the demographic.

“The reason behind this is sports. People are very active,” he explained.

Each demographic has different needs, with Generation Z seeking healthier and more convenient products, said ElSheikh.

“Gen Z are looking for not just healthier products but also looking for on-the-go consumption versus at-home consumption,” he added.


Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says

Updated 11 February 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia developing unified ESG guidelines to raise reporting standards, official says

  • Robust ecosystem will help prepare for sustainable future
  • Saudi companies need to improve accuracy of reports, says Sindi

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is developing unified national environmental, social, and governance guidelines that aim to bring reporting up to international standards, an official said.

“By developing a robust ESG ecosystem, we can address current challenges while preparing for a more sustainable future,” Yara Sindi, general manager of monitoring, reporting, and policies for sustainability, and director of corporate sustainability at the Ministry of Economy and Planning said during a conference in Riyadh.

“With 30 percent of our top companies already reporting on sustainability and growing awareness globally, we have an incredible opportunity to capitalize on this momentum,” Sindi said.

Despite this progress, Sindi noted that the quality of these reports remains a challenge. Many are not aligned with international standards, resulting in weak ratings and limited investor engagement, she said.

While there are multiple existing national guidelines that have been developed by different jurisdictions, Sindi pointed out that there is still no unified approach.

She emphasized the need for Saudi companies to improve the accuracy and transparency of their sustainability reports.

“It’s essential to equip our corporates with the tools and frameworks they need to produce high-quality reports,” she said.

Sindi added that this will allow them to better translate their efforts into measurable outcomes that investors can trust.

To tackle these challenges, Saudi Arabia is developing its own national sustainability reporting standards.

“These guidelines, informed by international best practices, aim to provide a unified approach that simplifies reporting for companies while ensuring alignment with global expectations,” she added.

Sindi made the comments during a panel discussion titled “The Evolving Landscape of ESG: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities” at the fifth World Environmental Social and Governance Summit in Riyadh this week.

She said that investors’ awareness of national ESG initiatives is not where it should be, due to the disconnect between companies and investors regarding sustainability efforts.

“We are working to bridge this gap by fostering conversations and knowledge-sharing between corporates and investors.”

Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi, director of sustainability at Ardara, also participated in the discussion, emphasizing a critical aspect of proper ESG implementation.

“A lot is going on — the landscape on the policy and the implementation of the strategy — and there’s lots of effort and work to be thanked for.”

Al-Ghamdi added that where most companies fail to address proper ESG implementation strategy, and the way that it can aid decision-making, is in identifying, primarily, many different materiality topics and the sustainability mandate.

“That being said, ESG is a metric for those who have not been involved in it — to calculate, to measure, to track, and to assess the performance of a company towards this broader stakeholder engagement,” he explained.

Al-Ghamdi said that there is a lot of work that has been completed to do that, but there are significant challenges in implementing these kinds of ESG strategies.

Neil Atkinson, senior vice president and head of ESG and sustainability at Riyadh Bank, added further insights into how ESG opens new opportunities for Saudi Arabia’s rapidly transforming sectors such as construction, energy, and real estate.

“I’d say, with the mass transformation we have here in Saudi Arabia for all sectors, how ESG in collaboration with this transformation can provide new opportunities for us here in the Kingdom,” Atkinson said.

He identified four key trends shaping the ESG landscape from a banking perspective.

“The first one is the increasing growth of green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked instruments,” Atkinson said.

He noted that in the US, self-identified assets under management in ESG reached $6.5 trillion in 2024, reflecting a significant year-on-year rise.

Atkinson pointed to the scaling of clean energy technologies, particularly solar, hydrogen, and wind, as a second major trend.

The third trend Atkinson highlighted was the increasing demand from investors for measurable ESG metrics.

“There are innumerable macro studies that demonstrate the strong positive correlation between sustainability performance and financial performance,” he said.

This drives investor interest in companies’ ESG integration into corporate planning and strategy. Atkinson linked this trend to regulatory developments.

He added: “Sustainability performance equals financial performance, which equals financial stability. And that’s a trend we see continuing.”

Atkinson said that there are 3,000 Saudi companies impacted by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements.

“This will influence how businesses set up their exports and how we in the financial sector help companies transition to meet these requirements.”


Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

Updated 11 February 2025
Follow

Islamic coalition partners with UN to strengthen global efforts against terrorism

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism signed a memorandum of understanding in New York to bolster international efforts against terrorism and promote global security and stability.

The MoU aims to unify efforts in addressing terrorist threats in line with the regulations of both parties, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The coalition was represented by secretary-general, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghedi, and the UN office by under-secretary-general Vladimir Voronkov.

The MoU will support joint counter-terrorism projects focusing on capacity-building, training, awareness initiatives, and tackling emerging challenges.

It also outlines strategic cooperation in areas such as specialized law enforcement training and tailored technical assistance to member states.

Al-Moghedi emphasized that the MoU highlights the coalition’s commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing international cooperation for global security.

He added that working with the UN will facilitate the exchange of expertise and strengthen member states’ abilities to address security challenges effectively.