Diriyah Biennale Foundation Archives

With Rooted Transience, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation presents its first international exhibition in Venice as part of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia 2025. Hosted at the historic Abbey of San Gregorio, the project extends a journey that began in Saudi Arabia, establishing a space for cultural exchange and dialogue between tradition and innovation within a uniquely Venetian context.Curated by Faysal Tabbarah, Rooted Transience explores the relationship between rootedness and transformation through the architectural typology of the musalla a space for prayer and contemplation characterized by adaptability and temporality. The exhibition brings together full-scale installations, models, and digital content from the AlMusalla Prize 2025, including the winning project On Weaving Al Musalla by EAST Architecture Studio alongside works by the shortlisted finalists, offering a multifaceted reflection on contemporary Islamic architecture.

At the heart of the exhibition stands a faithfully reproduced architectural fragment of On Weaving, fabricated in Jeddah specifically for the Venice presentation. Constructed using reclaimed date palm wood and traditional natural fiber weaving techniques, the fragment translates the material, structural, and symbolic qualities of the musalla into a form suited to the historic setting of the Abbey. Installed in the cloister, it acts as a tangible mediator between Saudi architectural heritage and Venice’s layered architectural memory.

The exhibition journey opens with the AlMusalla Prize Room, introducing the origins of the Prize and the cultural context from which it emerged. Through archival materials, narratives, and contextual references, the room traces the inception of Al Musalla as an architectural initiative rooted in adaptability, spirituality, and contemporary design, originally situated at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah.

The second room presents the four shortlisted projects from the AlMusalla Prize competition. Displayed through scale models, the projects explore diverse interpretations of the musalla typology, addressing themes of light, geometry, materiality, and spatial perception. Together, the models reflect a plurality of architectural approaches, highlighting how a temporary space of prayer can generate varied and culturally resonant forms.

The path then leads to the central model room, where a complete scale reconstruction of Al Musalla reveals the geometry and structure of the winning project. Displayed in its entirety, the model highlights the architectural logic behind On Weaving and serves as the exhibition’s core physical counterpart to the full-scale fragment installed in the Abbey’s cloister.

The exhibition concludes with the VR Room, offering an immersive digital experience that transports visitors inside Al Musalla. Through virtual reality, guests can explore the architecture from within, perceiving scale, light, and spatial continuity, and completing the exhibition journey by bridging physical presence with digital interpretation.

The reproduced fragment of Al Musalla was produced in Saudi Arabia and carefully transported to Venice through a controlled international process. From fabrication to on-site delivery, each phase was managed to ensure quality, safety, and full compatibility with the historic context of San Gregorio Abbey.

Once on site, the fragment was installed through a custom-designed structural solution, ensuring stability and full protection of the historic setting. The installation was completed with a calibrated lighting setup that enhanced the material qualities and spatial presence of the work, guaranteeing visual clarity and safety throughout the Biennale.

The public program

BLΛCK conceived, curated, and delivered every aspect of the Public Program, from the exhibition layouts and technical direction to the development of a dedicated brand identity for each activation. The team also produced a cross-channel communication strategy, managing social media content and a city-wide MUPI campaign across key Venetian touchpoints including Santa Lucia station, vaporetto routes, and the airport ensuring strong on-site visibility and sustained public engagement. Over seven months, the program welcomed more than 85,000 visitors, confirming the Abbey as a vibrant platform for cultural exchange throughout the Biennale.

Saudi short movies

A curated program of Saudi short films presented in collaboration with the Saudi Film Commission. Screenings were accompanied by panels and live Q&A sessions with filmmakers, positioning cinema as a tool for cultural dialogue.

Pop-Up Store KAF BY KAF x adidas

A limited-edition retail activation developed in collaboration with the Fashion Commission, showcasing the partnership between Saudi label KAF BY KAF and adidas. The pop-up highlighted Saudi creativity through contemporary fashion, storytelling, and spatial design.

Threads of Identity: Saudi House of Fashion

The exhibition curated with the Fashion Commission, explored Saudi fashion through heritage and innovation. Garments and jewelry from the Saudi 100 Brands initiative were presented as expressions of identity and contemporary craftsmanship.

Kingdom Photography Award “In A New Light”

A photography exhibition presented in collaboration with the Visual Arts Commission, showcasing contemporary perspectives on Saudi Arabia through selected works from the Kingdom Photography Award. Public engagement activities fostered visual exchange and dialogue by an activation called “photo walk”

Flavors Without Borders

Two day culinary experience developed with Slow Food and the Culinary arts Commission, where chef Taleen Miliani chef and Chiara Pavan co created a shared tasting menu, blending two culinary culture to create a space for dialogue around culture, sustainability, and creativity.

A Fusion of Saudi & Venetian Sound Landscape

A site-specific sound installation developed in collaboration with the Music Commission, weaving traditional Saudi instruments with Venetian soundscapes. The immersive experience invited visitors into a contemplative journey, where sound guided the discovery of shared cultural resonances.

Year of Handicrafts,WRTH,Heritage commission

An installation developed in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, celebrating Saudi craftsmanship through materials, objects, and regional traditions. The project highlighted traditional techniques and artisanal knowledge as living cultural practices.

Lines That Unite: Arabic Calligraphy in Space

An exhibition presented with the Heritage Commission, exploring Arabic calligraphy as a spatial and living art form. Performances and workshops invited visitors to engage directly with calligraphy as cultural expression.

Gift Shop

The exhibition gift shop was designed as a curated extension of the show, blending contemporary design with Saudi cultural identity. Custom displays and furnishings enhance the products and echo the exhibition’s visual language. Saudi handcrafted items are presented with concise storytelling and refined packaging, highlighting their origin, technique, and meaning. The space functions as both retail and cultural experience, making Saudi heritage accessible, memorable, and high-quality.

Together, the ground-floor exhibition and the first-floor activations shaped a single, continuous experience within San Gregorio Abbey. Architectural research, material heritage, and contemporary creative practices converged into a shared narrative — one that invited visitors to move between physical fragments, digital immersion, and live cultural exchange, expanding the meaning of the musalla beyond its original context.

Through the realization of Rooted Transience and the production of the Public Program, BLΛCK helped transform the Abbey into a landmark platform for international dialogue during the Biennale. The project stands as a lasting example of how historic venues can be reactivated through design and cultural programming, creating new bridges between Saudi Arabia and Venice while leaving a legacy of collaboration, visibility, and shared knowledge.

BLΛCK oversees the technical and operational development of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026. From general coordination to the production of exhibition scenography, the firm manages the complex infrastructure required for the creation and installation of over twenty-five new commissioned artworks.

Biennale represents more than just a major international exhibition. It is a project of urban and cultural activation that contributes to the metamorphosis of the JAX District, converting industrial spaces into one of the emerging hubs of Riyadh’s artistic scene. This intervention reinforces the city’s growing role within the global contemporary art ecosystem.

Drawing on years of experience at global Art Biennials, BLΛCK oversees every technical and logistical detail handling everything from exhibition layout to the complex operational support needed to bring new artworks to life.

Scenography and artworks production. With a total exhibition space of 28,500 sqm and a collection of 130 artworks, the BLΛCK team took charge of developing and delivering the scenography for the entire site, as well as overseeing the production of commissioned artworks. We ensured that the architecture, lighting, and art complemented each other perfectly. By carefully curating the delivery, BLΛCK enhanced the immersive quality of the exhibition, allowing visitors to fully engage with the diverse artistic formats on display.

BLΛCK’s role in venue enhancement included the development of four new buildings: a reception area, bookstore, bar, and restaurant. These additions not only provided essential services for visitors but also enriched the overall experience of the Biennale. Designed in collaboration with Giò Forma studio, the spaces were carefully integrated into the exhibition’s theme, ensuring they complemented the artistic and cultural elements on display. The Biennale Store was crafted to evoke a sense of tranquillity through soft-toned materials, fostering an environment for introspection. In contrast, the bar and restaurant offered a lively, dynamic atmosphere, reflecting the local heritage and providing a space for visitors to socialize and connect.

As the Global Management and Execution Partner of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, Black oversaw a comprehensive scope of operations designed to ensure a seamless and deeply engaging experience for all visitors. From the initial guest experience study and development, every aspect of the visitor journey was meticulously curated including the management of tour guides and hosts, and the coordination of special events throughout the Biennale. Operational excellence was ensured through full venue management, cleaning and waste coordination, and strict adherence to health and safety protocols. Security and accreditation systems were implemented to manage both public access and VIP programs, complemented by efficient traffic and valet services to support the high volume of attendees.

The guest experience was further enriched through the supervision of food and beverage services, artwork handling and preservation, and the organization of curated visits for both pilgrims and school groups aligning with the Biennale’s mission to foster wide-reaching cultural engagement.
Black’s holistic operational model not only guaranteed logistical success but also enhanced the emotional and intellectual impact of the Biennale, making it a transformative celebration of Islamic arts and heritage.

With a dedicated team of 1,195 employees, the operational scale matched the ambition of the project. Audience engagement was a priority, with 7,900 on-site surveys conducted to gather valuable feedback and insights, further refining the visitor experience.
The event demonstrated strong national reach, with 80% of visitors being Saudi nationals, while maintaining a global perspective thanks to 20% international attendance. These results reflect the Biennale’s success in fostering both cultural pride and global dialogue.

The first of its kind in the world, the new Home for The Islamic Arts Biennale building complex was designed by award-winning duo BLΛCK and Giò Forma architects, partnering with F&M Middle East Engineering Consultancy for engineering consultancy. It is located at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, designed by SOM in 1981 and recipient of the 1983 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

The Biennale’s architectural design concept is based on volumetric compositions inspired by the modularity of the existing tent canopy structures. The beauty of the Hajj Terminal lies in the dialogue between voids, volumes and their magical sense of depth and perspective; the Biennale celebrates these elements by framing views and breaking down volumes for a dynamic dialogue with geometry.

The winning design of the international competition consists of clusters of volumes in various sizes and proportions, stacked and arranged around a central water plaza to separate functions and to celebrate architectural rhythm and geometry. These volumes provide a variety of galleries which inspire artists to reimagine the space themselves. This complex’s role is to host and emphasize art, not to limit or overshadow it.

Through a dedicated and skilled team, BLΛCK executed the artworks production for the first Islamic Biennale. Starting from the artists’ vision and concepts, we developed the design for more than 40 artworks. From engineering to finishes and details, we managed the build-up process in a fully integrated way with the new building, the existing environment and the scenography design.

Since the very beginning of the Biennale Project, BLΛCK worked closely with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation to develop the exhibition’s operational plan. Enhancing the visitor experience was the main goal of the scope. BLΛCK was responsible for planning and executing all aspects of the exhibition: from ticketing to reports, from ushers and guides to security, from F&B design and management to venue management. VIP and special guest logistics were also managed by a dedicated team.