LONDON: Central Saint Martins college in London hosted an arts and culture symposium on Tuesday that explored the cultural transformation in º£½ÇÖ±²¥, and its influence across the wider region.
The event, titled “New Directions from the Middle East and Asia,†was organized by Ghadah Alharthi, a cultural adviser and associate professor of culture and innovation at the college, which is part of the University of the Arts London. It aimed to highlight the significant effects Saudi arts, culture and innovation are having in shaping the future of creativity across the Middle East and Asia.
It offered the gathered experts and creative professionals a day of panel discussions showcasing the Kingdom’s cultural movement and its role in connecting the Middle East and Asia to the wider world.
Alharthi told the participants how the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification emphasizes the development of people as a foundation for cultural innovation. The symposium also highlighted the role of cultural institutions in efforts to support and nurture emerging talent, and examined the role innovation and creativity play in enhancing cultural communities and boosting the creative economy.
The participants included Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud, the founder of Isdar in Riyadh, whose works were on display at the event; Sheikha Marwa bint Rashid Al-Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Arts Society; Aryana Khan, head of cultural networking organization Frieze Connect; Suzy Sikorski, director of business development at Bonhams auction house; Mimi Nguyen, a lecturer in digital innovation and founder of Nguyen Wahed Gallery in New York; and Peter Harrigan from Medina Publishing in the UK.
