RIYADH: Visitors to the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Riyadh can ponder the concept of “Saudi Futurism” when walking through the new, semi-interactive, maze-like installation by physician-turned-artist Ahmed Mater in collaboration with Berlin-based photographer Armin Linke. The two men travelled across Saudi Arabia to document historical, industrial and scientific sites and presented their findings — mostly in photo form — to the audience in a visual statement on issues relating to infrastructure, agriculture, local resources, urbanism and landscape management.
“I was interested, some 12 years ago, to photograph the changes that were happening in Jeddah and around Makkah and understood that, for me, it would be too complicated, so I thought maybe it's much more interesting to turn it into a collaboration, as an artistic practice,” Linke told Arab News.
The artists depicted areas such as Riyadh, NEOM, Dhahran and Thuwal, among other locations. (Supplied)
Mater, well-known in the Kingdom and abroad, has been documenting the ever-changing landscape of Saudi Arabia and its people for years. This was a chance for Mater to capture the morphing spaces in the rapidly evolving country with a fellow photographer who was just as passionate about the craft, through a new set of eyes. The dynamic duo approached the project with a fresh perspective, transfixed on the future while keeping in mind that the series would be displayed in historic Diriyah, the birthplace of modern Saudi Arabia.
“We decided to do the installation together and to visit specific places together. We did some pictures together; I went alone to some places, also Ahmed (Mater). Then we put the pictures together, like two jazz musicians, we improvised. And it comes to the point that sometimes we don't even know which is my picture or his picture. We were in sync,” Linke said with a laugh.
Armin Linke is a Berlin-based photographer. (Supplied)
Like jazz musicians, they used each other’s energy to build upon the visual worlds they decided to capture. Also, like fans of the musical genre, they trusted their audience to engage.
Some of the images were partially screen-printed on what appears to be reflective sheets, to playfully allow the viewer to be part of the art.
Ahmed Mater is a physician-turned-artist. (Supplied)
“We liked to play with this idea that when you look at the future, you also look at yourself — using silkscreen technology,” Linke added.
The artists depicted areas such as Riyadh, NEOM, Dhahran and Thuwal, among other locations.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is being held in the city’s JAX district and runs until May 24.
