designing exhibitions wherehistorical artifacts meet contemporary art
islamic Art Biennale 2025
the second edition of the Islamic Art Biennale has opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. returning to design the space after 2023, OMA built on its previous experience to create a more sophisticated exhibition environment.
on January 25, the second Islamic Art Biennale kicked off at the West Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. themed “And Everything in Between,” the biennial focused on human wonder at the world created by God and the ways we express it.
the venue for the event is the airport’s Hajj Terminal, built in 1981 and known for its structure modeled after Bedouin tents and innovative use of materials. the space was chosen for the biennial because of its symbolism, as it is the place where millions of pilgrims pass through each year on their way to Mecca and Medina.
expanded exhibition scale and spatial organization
for the second time in 2023, OMA was entrusted with the design of the space, and for this exhibition, the organization of the 100,000-square-meter spacewas more elaborate,with seven main sections.
each section was organized as follows
albidaya: Meaning Beginnings, showcasing Kiswah for the first time on public display outside of Mecca
al-Madar: utilizing a 13-meter-high display space to house 37 artifacts, with a columnar display case that resembles light reaching up to the sky
al-Muqtani: Balancing the collections of two institutions to emphasize the harmony between the pieces
al-Midallah: reinterprets the meaning of the garden in Islamic culture with low walls that symbolize the pilgrim’s journey
almukarama & Almunawara: a tribute to Mecca and Medina, creating an intimate experience of the historical heritage of both cities
almusallah: dedicated to prayer
the exhibition will feature 500 historical artifacts and 29 contemporary artworks from more than 20 countries, more than double the size of the inaugural biennial. in particular, it focuses on exploringthe differentways ofexpressing faithby juxtaposing traditional Islamic artifacts with contemporary artworks .
spatial Design – Connecting Tradition and Modernity
OMA created an abstracted exhibition environment with contemporary interpretations of Islamic architectural elements.
minimizing the use of materials and utilizing a variety of white fabrics creates an overall harmonious atmosphere
organic forms are achieved through the use of fabric structures inspired by the Ihram, the traditional garment of pilgrims
utilizing linear translucent walls to create a sacred atmosphere, creating a strong yet soft flow of space
in the Albidaya section, we emphasized the sacred space with the placement of the Kiswah, the first public viewing outside of Mecca, while in Al-Madar, we utilized the 13-meter-high space to create light towards the sky through a columnar exhibition structure. the concept of a garden was replaced with low walls in Almidallah to symbolize the pilgrim’s journey.
the message of theexhibition design
the Biennale is more than just an art exhibition, it is a spatial experience that connects history and modernity. by blurring the boundaries between past and present, it creates an immersive viewing experience, and the exhibition space and artworks are designed to flow together in harmony.
more than just a celebration of Islamic art, the event willalso serve as an important demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s growth as an international cultural hub.it is expected to create a new discourse on Islamic art and expand the space for global cultural exchange.
a Designer’s Perspective
“The key challenge was to bring unity and coherence to the exhibition space so that historical artifacts and contemporary art could be harmonized in a vast space. breaking away from traditional museum-style exhibition methods, we designed the space using an abstract architectural language, lightness, and transparency.”
kabe Daviri, OMA Associate
event information
dates: January 25 – May 25
where: king Abdulaziz International Airport West Haji Terminal
organized by: Dariya Biennale Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia
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