Image: Digital Spirituality by Amr Alnagmah
July 8 – Oct. 1, 2017
Main Floor Gallery, Courtyard, Second Floor Atrium, The Annex
Epicenter X: Saudi Contemporary Art in Dearborn, MI represents the first exhibition of its kind from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to appear in Michigan.
Epicenter X explores contemporary Saudi culture by promoting meaningful dialogue between Saudi artists and U.S. audiences. Furthermore, the exhibition sheds light on the vast diversity of contemporary artistic practice in Saudi Arabia. Cutting through the political discourse of media outlets and government officials, the artworks featured in this exhibition open doors to the lives of the Saudi people. In doing so, this presentation will challenge common views and stereotypes of Arab culture by lending voice to artists exploring poignant ideas centered on urbanization, globalization, religion and the impact of American popular culture in Saudi society.
A variety of works in diverse mediums by both established and emerging artists are featured in the exhibition. Highlights include photographs by AANM artist-in-residence, Ayman Yossri Daydban; Abdulnasser Gharem’s Men at Work series; Qamar Abdulmalik’s Asylum of Dreams installation; Marwah Al Mugait’s latest video installation We Were; Abdullah Al Othman’s multi-channel video installation The Experiment from the No-touch Torture Series. Also featured in Epicenter X are three contemporary Qut murals (on display in The Annex) created in the age-old traditional style of house-painting by skilled female artisans from Southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Epicenter X: Saudi Contemporary Art in Dearborn, MI is organized by the Arab American National Museum in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, simply known as Ithra, and is produced with support from CULTURUNNERS.