Artist’s paralyzing illness inspires Saudi Film Festival VR ode to nature

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Naima Karim’s artworks are inspired by nature. (Instagram/ naimakarim_)
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Updated 08 May 2023
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Artist’s paralyzing illness inspires Saudi Film Festival VR ode to nature

  • Naima Karim’s multi-sensory VR experience ‘The Anticipation of Rain’ has captivated Saudi Film Festival visitors at Ithra

DHAHRAN: A Bangladeshi Dutch artist struck down by a neurological disorder has harnessed her love of nature to wow Saudi Film Festival audiences.

Naima Karim’s “The Anticipation of Rain” is a virtual reality experience that has captivated viewers with its ode to nature’s beauty and strength.

Karim was in the final year of studies when her life took an unexpected turn.




A sequence of stills from ‘the Anticipation of Rain.’ (Supplied)

She said: “I was completely paralyzed because of a neurological disorder in 1999. It took a long time to recover. I spent most of my time in bed. During those days, I observed how beautiful nature was around me and was motivated to get better and to walk again.

“I dreamt every day of running across a grass field, and the beautiful sky above me was limitless. That was the most inspiring thing for me when I started to paint again in 2015, after a long break.”

In 2013, Karim and her family moved to Saudi Arabia where she began showcasing her artworks.




A sequence of stills from ‘the Anticipation of Rain.’ (Supplied)

“I had my first solo exhibition at Dhahran Art Gallery in 2016. Since then, I have tried different mediums like watercolor, acrylic, oil, and more.

“The VR experience came to mind only when I wanted to create something beyond my canvases. I wanted my audience to immerse fully in monsoon rain,” she added.

“The Anticipation of Rain” is Karim’s first multi-sensory VR project, and despite having no prior technical background, after pitching her idea to the Creative Solutions program, she was enrolled onto master classes.

HIGHLIGHT

‘The Anticipation of Rain’ is Naima Karim’s first multi- sensory VR project. It has been nominated for the VR social impact award by AIXR, and the Crystal Owl Awards by Stereopsia Europe. It was also presented at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, the world’s largest of its kind.

She said: “I created the 3-D environment using Open Brush, a VR tool, and painted it in the same style that I paint on canvas. I wanted to keep my same artistic style even in the 3-D world, which is long brushstrokes. These long brushstrokes are also a celebration of a movement that I used to miss because of my paralysis.”

Growing up in Bangladesh, she has childhood memories of monsoons that she described as theatrical and exciting.

“My VR experience is about three things: The monsoon rain that inspires me a lot, my personal story of recovering from paralysis that made me a positive person, and to inspire my viewers to see the beauty around us and take care of our one world,” Karim added.




Mohammad Almadani manages the VR experience at Ithra. (AN photo)

During the film festival VR experience at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), viewers are given two pieces of scented paper to replicate the smell of rain — a special touch to fully immerse the senses.

She said: “I wanted my viewers to experience a storm that was scary but exciting and beautiful to me. It also gets very humid before it starts to rain, and when it rains, the smell changes, mixing the rainwater and the soil.

“That’s why I created the scents of humidity and rain with a perfumer, which will immerse my audience even more in the monsoon rain.”

‘The Anticipation of Rain’ is to inspire my audience to be hopeful. When we really want something that we love, I believe hope is something that takes us forward and makes us stronger.

Naima Karim, Artist

Her “The Anticipation of Rain” experience has been nominated for the VR social impact award by AIXR, and the Crystal Owl Awards by Stereopsia Europe. It was also presented at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, the world’s largest of its kind.

“‘The Anticipation of Rain’ was born at Ithra and was first demoed at the plaza in Ithra. After that, it was showcased at several festivals worldwide.

“It is now part of the Saudi Film Festival as Creative Solutions program submitted it and it was selected to be a part of the VR experiences at the festival,” Karim added.




Naima Karim’s virtual reality art experience is being showcased at the Saudi Film Festival in Dhahran. (Supplied)

She is currently working on her second VR project.

Manager of the VR experience at Ithra, Mohammed Almadani, said: “It feels like I’m on an isolated island, surrounded by nature, enjoying myself and absorbing the beauty. With the scents it feels so real, if there was just actual rain, you would feel like it’s real life.

“I really recommend everyone to try it, because its different than other VRs. It’s interactive and it takes you to a different level.”

Karim said: “‘The Anticipation of Rain’ is to inspire my audience to be hopeful. When we really want something that we love, I believe hope is something that takes us forward and makes us stronger.”

 


Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

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Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

  • Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living

RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.

Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.

The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.


Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

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Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

  • Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.

The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.

In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.


Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
Updated 17 March 2025
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Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

  • Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. 

Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added. 


Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

  • The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission

RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.

The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.

The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.

The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.

By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.


Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

  • Several senior ministry officials attended

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.