OMA, the renowned architecture studio, has designed the scenography for the first-ever Islamic Arts Biennale.
The inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale brings together a diverse collection of ancient artifacts and contemporary artworks, showcasing them across 120,000 square meters of exhibition space within the SOM-designed Western Hajj Terminal.
The OMA-designed scenography separates the exhibition into two complementary parts, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience.
The first part is a choreographed journey through a series of newly built galleries. This progression allows visitors to gain a sense of orientation as they move from one room to another, and is inspired by the concept of the Qiblah – the direction Muslims face when they pray. The exhibits are presented in a journey from darkness to light, starting with a dimly lit room featuring 17th-century astrolabes – used to calculate the Qiblah – and culminating in a bright space hosting an installation that incorporates the First Saudi Door of the Ka’bah in Makkah, which was installed during the reign of King Abdul Aziz.
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The OMA-designed scenography separates the exhibition into two complementary parts, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience.
The first part is a choreographed journey through a series of newly built galleries. This progression allows visitors to gain a sense of orientation as they move from one room to another, and is inspired by the concept of the Qiblah – the direction Muslims face when they pray. The exhibits are presented in a journey from darkness to light, starting with a dimly lit room featuring 17th-century astrolabes – used to calculate the Qiblah – and culminating in a bright space hosting an installation that incorporates the First Saudi Door of the Ka’bah in Makkah, which was installed during the reign of King Abdul Aziz.
The second part of the exhibition is located under the terminal’s canopy, where a desert-like landscape alludes to the journey of Hijrah – Prophet Mohamed’s journey from Makkah to Madinah. Slopes and slanted walls of varying heights, arranged in relation to the geometry of the existing structure, have been built to showcase the artworks, creating a sense of exploration throughout the visit. Two freestanding pavilions act as reference points in the open landscape, displaying artifacts from Makkah and Madinah. In contrast to the rough atmosphere outside, the exhibits in the two pavilions are embedded in a bright, diaphanous screen wrapping the perimeter of the walls.
In addition to the Biennale’s theme, a separate gallery named AlMadar, or The Orbit, features items from twelve local and international institutions, including the Al Sabah Collection of Islamic Art in Kuwait, together with an exhibition that pays homage to the Hajj Terminal – both celebrating their 40th anniversary.
The photography is by Marco Cappelletti
OMA website: https://www.oma.com/
