Day: November 23, 2023

SAUDI ARABIA: Obaid Alsafi Wins MENA Region’s Biggest Art Grant Ithra Art Prize

The artist’s award-winning installation will be revealed during the third instalment of the Arts AlUla Festival.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has announced Saudi artist Obaid Alsafi as the winner of the 6th edition of the Ithra Art Prize, the largest art grant in the MENA region. Alsafi’s winning submission, ‘Palms in Eternal Embrace’, is a large-scale sculptural installation that explores approaches to safeguarding the natural world, focusing on endangered palm trees—a powerful symbol of Arabian landscapes and heritage.

Alsafi, a multidisciplinary artist with a background in computer science, brings a scientific perspective to his creative process, investigating the impacts of the unseen on the visible environment and physical realities.

“I am honoured to receive this year’s Ithra Art Prize and to shed light on the importance of preserving the natural world in the breathtaking setting of AlUla’s natural heritage and oasis landscape,” Alsafi tells SceneNowSaudi. “Challenging the boundaries between the organic and the synthetic, the natural and the cultural, and the human and the non-human. I hope that ‘Palms in Eternal Embrace’ will inspire audiences to reflect on the extinction of a plant group that is so characteristic of our region and foundational to our identity.”

Established in 2017, the Ithra Art Prize provides MENA artists with the opportunity to receive a USD 100,000 award, along with up to $400,000 in funding to bring their ideas to life. This year’s edition, titled “Art in the Landscape,” is a collaboration with Arts AlUla, part of a broader strategic partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

Alsafi’s ‘Palms in Eternal Embrace’ is set to be revealed during the third instalment of the Arts AlUla Festival on February 8th. The unveiling will include a live performance art piece focusing on the conservation of the biological essence of the palm tree.

source/content: cairoscene.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI, U.A.E: Dubai Holding’s iconic 19.28-metre Hatta Sign breaks Guinness World Records title for ‘The Tallest Landmark Sign’

Dubai Holding’s iconic Hatta Sign has garnered international acclaim by breaking the Guinness World Records title for ‘The Tallest Landmark Sign’. Situated atop the Hajar Mountains, the commanding 19.28-metre-tall structure stands as a striking symbol of Hatta’s identity and its status as one of the UAE’s most scenic regions.


The Guinness World Records title will shine a global spotlight on the Hatta region. What was once a local gem is now set to attract international interest, enticing travellers from around the world to experience the enchantment of Hatta firsthand. The heightened attention will help stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and foster local business development, contributing to Hatta’s sustainable growth.


As Dubai Holding’s Hatta Resorts readies itself for opening its upcoming sixth season, the record-breaking Hatta Sign will be a globally recognised attraction that provides visitors a unique backdrop for capturing memorable pictures. Hikers are encouraged to make the ascent to the sign and take in the area’s breathtaking panoramic scenery from a higher altitude.


Hatta’s visitors are welcome to indulge in further adventures at the Hatta Resorts Wadi Hub, the main centre for outdoor activities in the region, including ziplining, mountain biking, rock climbing, zorbing, archery and axe-throwing, with new thrilling activities soon to be introduced in Season 6.


Visitors may also extend their journey with a stay at Hatta Resorts by Dubai Holding and enjoy an array of unique glamping experiences that seamlessly blend nature and culture with its array of outstanding trailers, lodges, domes and caravans.
Already impressing visitors with its physical presence, the Hatta Sign now acquires global cultural significance. The landmark serves as a reminder of Hatta’s rich history as well as its newly attained international recognition.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)