Choreografie statt Kartografie
The third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, titled "In Interludes and Transitions," has opened in the JAX District of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Featuring works by approximately 70 artists across five converted warehouses, the exhibition is curated by Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed with a scenography designed by Formafantasma. Despite regional geopolitical tensions, the event showcases major installations by international artists such as Petrit Halilaj and Thao Nguyen Phan, emphasizing a "choreographic" rather than cartographic approach to global art.
The biennial serves as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s "Vision 2030" program, which utilizes large-scale cultural projects to diversify the economy and reposition the kingdom internationally. By transforming industrial zones into creative hubs like the JAX District, the state is integrating contemporary art into its urban planning and diplomatic strategy. This event highlights the rapid institutional shift in the Gulf region, where culture is increasingly used to narrate a transition toward a post-oil future.