This past weekend we were able to go to the Edge of Arabia Art Exhibit – featuring artwork from 17 different Saudi artists. The artwork was beautiful, creative, and thought provoking. Event organizers are available at the event to walk you through the exhibit and explain the artists thought, purpose, and process for each piece of art – which was an incredible experience.
One of my favorite pieces was “The Street Pulse Project – Evolution not Revolution” Artist Ahmad Angawi has placed microphones around the city of Jeddah for people to speak anonymously about what is on their minds with the goal of eventually collecting thoughts and opinions from thousands of people. “This is an ongoing interactive piece that will evolve with the contribution of different people, whose voices will be recorded from different locations in the Arab world – each area or city will have its own sound, its own voice. The Microphones on the streets offer an opportunity to speak and express oneself. The project acts as an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine, which instead of measuring the vitals of the body, would measure the pulse of the street, to be silent is to flatline…”. (quoted from website) While we were there we had the privilege to meet Ahmad Angawai and hear is vision and dream for this project.
Another of my favorite exhibits was this baby with the umbilical cord attached to a video controller with words written on it like – drugs, sex, brainwashing, etc… A thought provoking piece challenging one to think about what we are feeding today’s children.
The exhibit will remain open in Jeddah until February 15 – it is a must see for those who are in town.
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