Local, international artists showcase experimental works in Riyadh

Suhailah Benadim, a Moroccan American artist, highlighted the similarities between Najdi and Moroccan architecture in her research. (AN photo)
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Updated 10 January 2024
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Local, international artists showcase experimental works in Riyadh

  • 15 Intermix Residency artists explored intersections between fashion and art over 10 weeks

RIYADH: Several Saudi and international artists displayed experimental artworks created from various natural materials including palm fiber, wood and rubber in Riyadh recently.

The 15 artists who participated in the second Intermix Residency titled “Art and Fashion Reimagined” showcased their work for two days in the Jax district in Diriyah.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission and Visual Arts Commission, which allowed the 15 artists to develop their projects over 10 weeks, focusing on the intersection between art and fashion. 

“This residency was life changing. It’s what I was always looking for … the support that we received from the directors and the assistants was very helpful and the people we were surrounded by were very diverse,” artist Suhailah Benadim told Arab News. 

Benadim, a Moroccan-American artist, has been a Riyadh resident for the past 17 years. During the residency, she highlighted the similarities between Najdi and Moroccan architecture in her research. 




Moroccan artist Mohammed Amine El-Makouti placed fluorescent colors and ultraviolet lights at the base of his work. (AN photo)

“I did it from a narrative of a third-culture child’s perspective because there’s always a perpetual search for home — so I kind of created my own home elements,” she told Arab News. 

Benadim used madder root, longwood shavings, and cutch extract to handprint and dye the base of the natural textiles. She designed versions of her metaphorical home in the center of each draping using the Indonesian Batik technique of wax-resist dyeing. 

One of the pieces has a structure that emulates the exteriors of Najdi homes, with Moroccan elements in the center. Some of the interiors are inspired by houses in her father’s neighborhood, including metal artwork on doors and triangles that represent airways in old mud houses. 

Saudi artist Maisa Shaldan takes a psychological and philosophical approach to her practice. At Intermix, she showcased an immersive cocoon-like installation, made with repurposed palm fibers that are usually discarded.

“I came into the residency with this question: Is this a material we can actually use as fashion or furniture designers?” she said. 




Saudi graphic designer Reema Hamad’s lab-like, interactive artwork allows people to view and touch it. (AN photo)

She combined her understanding of the fibers’ nature with a notion of people needing shelter for containment and growth. 

Shaldan said: “When someone has lost all their energy, they need to be reborn, or to hide within the womb of something to be born again. And that’s where the idea of the cocoon came from.

“Within the bustle of the city, we need self-withdrawal so we can strengthen and remerge.”

Moroccan artist Mohammed Amine El-Makouti placed fluorescent colors and ultraviolet lights at the base of his work. His project hopes to make sense of the body’s relationship with time and space. 




Saudi fashion designer Bashayer Al-Hatmi created a piece showcasing the sea life of Farasan Island. (AN photo)

His two wall installations are video projections of a self-performance inspired by folk dances. He uses layers of mesh to bring the video performance alive with multiple dimensions. They are framed with fluorescent poles placed in abstract geometric patterns derived from Islamic architecture and his cultural heritage. 

“The work is analyzing the self through the body, giving it another dimension, and exploring its rebirth … I’m always interested to mix between art, science and technology,” El-Makouti told Arab News.

Saudi graphic designer, Reema Hamad, sought to explore the role of skin as both a barrier to the physical world and a canvas, or living textile, for art.

“I made a fabric close to the human skin and human skin contains collagen fibers … and the materials that I use are from rubber trees and that texture that represents our inner self,” Hamad said. 




Hamad’s artwork featured the artist wearing a piece of her own fiber that was meant to resemble human skin, and photographs were hidden beneath the microscope. (AN photo)

Her lab-like, interactive artwork allows people to view and touch it. She has miniature photographs that can be viewed under a microscope, and others of her wearing pieces of her own skin-like fiber.

“I adore visual art because, as a graphic designer, it’s all about expression. Like, I think it’s crucial to express oneself rather than merely convey a clear point.” 

Saudi fashion designer, Bashayer Al-Hatmi, participated with a piece showcasing the sea life of Farasan Island in Jizan.

“I met Umm Ahmed, an 85-year-old Farasani woman who inherited her mother’s bead craft from her and taught it to her children and their offspring. In my artwork, I aimed to highlight regional crafts and document that culture,” Al-Hatmi said. 

Her artwork features a mannequin with a dress fashioned from beaded textiles that represent the sea’s ecosystem, and is filled with seawater from Farasan Island.

The Intermix Residency also showcased the work of artists Ismail Odetola, Albandari Aljuaid, Oceane Sailly, Ella Strattmiller, Johanna Stella Rogalla, Somaya Alsayed, Tahra Al-Alshaikh, Nada Qari, Nehal Alaqeel and Andrea Alkalay.


Saudi program to train rural women in leathercraft

Updated 6 sec ago
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Saudi program to train rural women in leathercraft

RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, has launched its first vocational empowerment training in leather industries for rural women in Al-Kharj governorate.

The program aims to promote entrepreneurship and support the national economy in line with Vision 2030 goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It provides rural women with practical skills in leather manufacturing to help develop their small businesses and improve the marketing of their products.

Majed Al-Buraikan, Saudi Reef assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said 15 rural women are participating in the training, which covers value-added leather production, design, product diversification, quality control, and business management.

The program includes training in business planning, cost management, marketing, and branding to help participants establish viable ventures, according to SPA.

Recently, the UN World Tourism Organization recognized Saudi Reef’s role in supporting sustainable development through its link with rural tourism.

Basmah Al-Mayman, UNWTO Middle East director, in a letter to Saudi Reef Secretary-General Ghassan Bakri commended the program for organizing rural tourism events in various regions of the Kingdom.

UNWTO expressed interest in collaborating with Saudi Reef on initiatives focused on sustainable community development and rural tourism.


Saudi Arabia to establish 7 new bee breeding stations

Updated 3 min 23 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia to establish 7 new bee breeding stations

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced the establishment of seven queen bee breeding and nucleus colony production stations in regions selected for their suitability: Jazan, Asir, Madinah, Makkah, Hail, Tabuk, and Najran.

Construction is expected to be completed this year, with operations beginning in 2026. The facilities will add to the four existing stations in Abha, Baha, Qassim, and Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The ministry said the projects will aim to preserve and strengthen the local bee strain and reduce reliance on imported colonies, as the Kingdom currently imports about 1.3 million nucleus colonies annually.

The stations will implement programs, including training in queen rearing and artificial insemination, along with promoting practical breeding techniques.

The initiative also includes guidance on advanced beekeeping methods and measures to limit the spread of diseases and pests associated with imported bees. Research will be conducted to support the maintenance and development of local strains.

The ministry said that the projects involve selective breeding based on research and may be offered for investment through beekeepers’ cooperatives or the private sector. Efforts will also be made to support and market the stations’ output.

In line with World Bee Day on May 20, the ministry has called for improving the knowledge and practices of beekeepers to help protect bee populations from disease, pests, pesticides, and environmental stressors.

It also referred to the launch of initiatives to encourage modern beekeeping, increase production efficiency, and support those working in the sector.

There are 25,644 licensed beekeepers in Saudi Arabia, producing 5,832 tonnes of honey from 1 million beehives. The Kingdom’s varied vegetation supports the production of about 20 types of honey, including sidr, talh, and samar.


Saudi authorities launch campaign on safe use of home medical devices

Updated 7 min 1 sec ago
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Saudi authorities launch campaign on safe use of home medical devices

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has launched a digital awareness campaign to educate the public on the safe and proper use of medical devices and supplies intended for home use.

The authority aims to reach diverse community segments, providing essential awareness messages and practical guidance to enhance health safety in the home, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It highlighted the importance of purchasing home medical devices from licensed suppliers that offer warranties and after-sales services, including necessary maintenance.

The authority also urged the need to verify that the device has the required licenses and a valid marketing authorization certificate.

Given the wide range of available options and specifications, the authority advised consulting a qualified healthcare professional to select the most appropriate device for an individual’s condition.

It also highlighted the importance of reviewing usage and care instructions, and obtaining any necessary training before purchase.

General safety guidelines include ensuring instructions are available in both Arabic and English, retaining the purchase receipt, keeping devices out of reach of children and pets to prevent tampering, and following recommended calibration and maintenance schedules.

The authority called on the public to report any issues or incidents related to home medical devices or supplies through the National Center for Medical Devices Reporting at ade.sfda.gov.sa/Home/NcmdrReport or by calling the unified number 19999.


Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives publishes book on adhan history, muezzins

Updated 21 min 54 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives publishes book on adhan history, muezzins

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, known as Darah, has released a new book on the history of the adhan (call to prayer) and biographies of the muezzins of the Two Holy Mosques throughout the centuries.

The book was authored by Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, member of the Council of Senior Scholars and imam and preacher at the Grand Mosque.

It meticulously examines the adhan ritual in the Two Holy Mosques, covering its origins, virtues, and significance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The book is divided into three sections: the adhan’s history, biographies of 95 Grand Mosque muezzins, and 147 Prophet’s Mosque muezzins.

It presents biographies of muezzins who have issued the call to prayer from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present, the SPA reported.

Drawing on credible historical sources and interviews, the author used a scientific approach to document the evolution of adhan tools and the relationship between the muezzin and the mosque.

The book also highlights the Saudi government’s support in selecting skilled muezzins and using advanced audio technology for local and global broadcasts.

This publication enriches the foundation’s collection, serving as a vital resource for researchers and those interested in the history of the Two Holy Mosques and Islamic rituals.


National Water Co. completes $106m in upgrades ahead of Hajj

Updated 20 May 2025
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National Water Co. completes $106m in upgrades ahead of Hajj

  • Upgrades will boost operational efficiency, expand network coverage and enhance real-time monitoring capabilities

JEDDAH: The National Water Co., through its Western Cluster, has completed 18 infrastructure and operational projects ahead of the Hajj season in Makkah and the holy sites, valued at SR400 million ($106 million).

The projects are part of efforts to refine water and environmental services for residents, visitors and the millions of pilgrims expected during Hajj.

Upgrades will boost operational efficiency, expand network coverage and enhance real-time monitoring capabilities.

Capital works include the construction of a 190,000-cubic meter steel water tank along with the development and rehabilitation of water storage facilities, main pipelines, valve rooms and distribution networks.

These efforts are designed to support supply sustainability and reliability, particularly during peak pilgrimage hours.

Operational upgrades include the installation of advanced monitoring systems such as pressure gauges, meters and network sensors. Pumps and isolation valves across water, wastewater, fire and cooling systems have also been modernized to boost performance.

More than 1,200 technical, engineering and administrative staff have been assigned to oversee operations and maintain uninterrupted service during the Hajj season. The company said it will provide round-the-clock water supply to the Prophet’s Mosque and key religious and historical sites in Madinah.

To safeguard water quality, all storage units and connections to pilgrim accommodation are subject to testing. Monitoring is conducted through teams at central and mobile laboratories, which can analyze more than 1,000 water samples per day.

Water flow in Madinah’s central area will be managed using a smart operation system connected to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition monitoring and control room, allowing real-time oversight throughout the Hajj season.