Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj discusses the ‘poet of visuals’ 

Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj discusses the ‘poet of visuals’ 
Mohammed AlFaraj with his work 'From What Bone Will We Grow Back On the First Day of Eternity.' (Supplied)
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Updated 18 October 2024
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Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj discusses the ‘poet of visuals’ 

Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj discusses the ‘poet of visuals’ 
  • The Saudi artist discusses his work that is currently on display at Art Basel Paris 

PARIS: Mohammad Alfaraj was born in the world’s largest desert oasis — Al-Ahsa — in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. He is the son and grandson of date farmers.  

The 31-year-old artist was one of the participating artists in the AlUla Artist Residency in 2021, and is now showing the results of that residency for the first time as part of the “Orbis Tertius” exhibition at the Art Basel Paris international art fair, which opened Oct. 18 in Paris’ newly restored Grand Palais.  

He describes himself as “an artist and a poet — a poet of visuals.” 

“I was talking with one of the other AlUla Residency artists about this, and we agreed that both of us try to encapsulate poems and poetry into objects, poems that you can hold, and touch and feel, and smell,” Alfaraj tells Arab News. 




A still from Alfaraj's 'The Date Fruit of Knowledge.' (Supplied)

His route to becoming an artist wasn’t a straightforward one. He studied Applied Mechanical Engineering at King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran. “When I began my studies in 2011, there wasn’t much focus on filmmaking or photography in Saudi, and they were what interested me. But it was beautiful, because understanding how things work and how to build them is a relevant subject for a curious mind. One of my favorite courses was Mechanics of Materials. I learned that everything is alive, even inanimate objects emit a vibration, an energy. I wanted to complete my degree, but also to pursue my career as an artist,” he explains.  

His agricultural background has also inspired his work. 

“Growing up on a farm, it’s deeply ingrained to reuse everything we find around us,” he says. “We don’t call it ecology, we call it resources; there is no waste, no excess, nothing gets thrown away. A bird builds its nest from the things it finds lying around, bits of straw, bits of plastic. I call that ‘honestly built.’” 




'The Last Words of a Tree 2,' currently on show at Art Basel Paris. (Supplied)

A bird is the central focus of one of Alfaraj’s Art Basel installations, “The Date Fruit of Knowledge.” The stop-motion film, with narration over the top, was drawn in the sand of the palm groves of AlUla.  

“It’s the story of a little nightingale who’s trying to get all the knowledge of the world. He’s impatient; he wants everything immediately. Someone tells him the legend, ‘Each palm tree produces one date that holds all the knowledge of the world.’ So he finds a palm tree and eats every single date that it produces to hit that one date. He becomes obsessed, he wants to stop, but he cannot, he’s driven by that greed for knowledge,” Alfaraj says. 

“Finally — finally — he finds the date! And he knows everything, what is, what was, what will be. The problem is, when he knows everything, he knows everything — the good things he cannot enjoy, and the horrific things he cannot change — so this blessing becomes a curse. So the film is about this idea of getting things slowly, with time, and really experiencing the journey of life rather than instantly reaching your destination. Of course, it’s inspired by stories from the Qur’an, religious parables, folklore and mythologies around the world, so everybody can connect with it in some way,” he adds. “The ‘nightingale’ in the film is made out of dates, and he eats so many dates he almost dies. What I want to say by this is that our destruction could be by our own hands, but our salvation could be by our own hands too.”   




Untitled 4, Mohammed Alfaraj, 2023. (Supplied)

The film is presented at Art Basel against a backdrop of Alfaraj’s illustrations, and palm fronds are placed in front of the screen in the shape of a bird’s wings.  

“The paper (for the illustrations) is made from waste palm, the ink is also made from palm leaves, so the whole work is made from things that are normally discarded,” Alfaraj explains. “I like finding objects, collecting them and turning them into sculpture, or finding photographs and landscapes of places I visit and making them into something new. I think that’s awesome — finding, finding and then transforming.”  

Alfaraj still lives in the place he was born, which remains a constant source of inspiration. Last year, he built himself a home on a farm there.  




An installation shot of 'Hand,' from the 'Fossils of Time' series, Mohammed Alfaraj. (Supplied)

“It’s just a simple rectangle with a bedroom and kitchen and a studio where I work. It has a garden with date palms, mulberry trees, fig and lemon trees. I have a couple of chickens too, now.”  

When he travels abroad, he keeps his carbon footprint as low as possible, even if that means staying away from home for months at a time.  

Since the beginning of this year, he has been preparing his next exhibition in Dubai in parallel to Art Basel. He says he told his curator that he wants to be known as “an anti-SS” artist. 




 Mohammed AlFaraj with his work 'From What Bone Will We Grow Back On the First Day of Eternity.' (Supplied)

“It’s a play on words, which I always like. It means I am anti-style and anti-scale, because style and scale do not the drive the work, they are just the façade. The driver of the work should be the heart and the soul — and modesty too, humility. If the work requires a large scale, I’m happy to do that. But there is no reason to make it an objective to itself.” 

Another of his Art Basel installations — from his “Last Words of a Tree” series — is titled “From What Bone Will We Grow Back On the First Day of Eternity?”  

“I’ve used a certain part of a palm tree to make a sculpture that looks like bones, or a fossil, of a creature emerging from the earth,” he says. “I try to believe that with so much sacrifice going on, something great will happen, and hopefully, human glory will emerge; the evil and prejudices eradicated. So, I hope this work serves as an acknowledgement of everything that’s happening, but also contains a certain hope.” 


From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards

From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards
Updated 24 February 2025
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From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards

From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards

DUBAI: From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dressed a handful of celebrities at Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi dressed US actress Ali Ahn, who stars in Netflix’s “The Diplomat.” Ahn stepped out in a cream, sculptural look from the Paris-based designer who helms haute couture label Ashi Studio.

Ali Ahn stepped out in a cream, sculptural look from the Paris-based designer who helms haute couture label Ashi Studio. (Getty Images)

Ahn’s “The Diplomat” co-star Keri Russell attended the ceremony in an all-black look by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad, hailing from his Fall/Winter 2024 ready-to-wear collection. The fitted gown featured a deep sweetheart neckline and thigh-high slit, as well as detailing on one shoulder.

Keri Russell attended the ceremony in an all-black look by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. (Getty Images)

Lebanon was also represented by designer Elie Saab, who dressed Kaitlyn Dever, Leighton Meester and Sofia Carson.

Singer and actress Carson continued her love affair with powerhouse Lebanese designers with the SAG Awards appearance, months after she showed off looks by Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad during international performances alongside legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

On Sunday, Carson opted for a baby pink gown from Saab’s Spring/ Summer 2025 couture line, complete with an elegant train and elegant draping over one shoulder.

Sofia Carson opted for a baby pink gown from Saab’s Spring/ Summer 2025 couture line. (Getty Images)

Meester also picked her look from one of Saab’s 2025 collections, but the TV star chose a column gown from his Spring/ Summer 2025 ready-to-wear line. The Lebanese designer’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection was inspired by the “sun-soaked savannah,” according to show notes, and this look was no exception.

Crafted from raffia-style fabric, the look harked back to safari wear without falling into tired cliches.

Meanwhile, “Ticket to Paradise” actress Dever showed off a peach-toned column gown with paillettes across the length of the dress.

US actress Marissa Bode shone a spotlight on Lebanese Italian designer Tony Ward. (Getty Images)

US actress Marissa Bode shone a spotlight on Lebanese Italian designer Tony Ward by opting for a ballgown from his Spring/ Summer 2025 collection. The gown featured an exaggerated Cinderella-style skirt with embellishments across the length of the dark tulle.


REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox
Updated 24 February 2025
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REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

LONDON: After years of being a PC favorite, “Starbound” finally launched on Xbox in October 2024, bringing its expansive sandbox adventure to a new audience.

With a follow-up quality-of-life update in December and a further boost by joining Xbox Game Pass in January, “Starbound” has the potential to reach more players than ever before. So, does this indie classic translate well to console gaming, or is it still best experienced on PC?

At its core, “Starbound” is a sandbox exploration game that lets players carve out their own journey among the stars. You begin by selecting a species (purely cosmetic in nature), escape from a doomed planet, and set off on an intergalactic adventure where you build, craft, explore and fight for survival. Unlike many crafting-based games, “Starbound” is not a grind-heavy experience; instead, it encourages creativity and discovery, providing an incredibly deep crafting system without forcing players into repetitive mechanics.

The game’s world is procedurally generated, meaning you will never run out of planets to visit. Each world has its own biomes, wildlife, and secrets to uncover. Some planets feel hospitable and lush, while others are barren and harsh, requiring players to adapt and prepare before diving into the unknown.

While “Starbound” features a central story involving the mysterious gate unlocked with Core Fragments, it does not force a linear progression — players are free to explore, build, and conquer at their own pace.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. Its crafting system is one of the deepest in the genre, allowing players to build everything from cozy homes to high-tech colonies. However, new players might find the initial learning curve steep. Navigation, especially on a controller, takes some getting used to, and the depth of options can feel overwhelming at first. That said, starting on Casual mode is highly recommended for beginners, because it removes some of the harsher survival elements and allows players to focus on exploration.

Combat in “Starbound” is an interesting mix of melee and ranged attacks, combined with energy management. Different weapons and abilities change the flow of combat, making it varied and engaging, although the game is not primarily focused on combat mechanics. Instead, survival and creativity take center stage.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. (Supplied)

While “Starbound” has made a mostly smooth transition to Xbox, it is clear that the game still feels as if it was designed primarily for PC. The user interface and navigation are not as intuitive with a controller as they are with a mouse and keyboard, making some menu-heavy interactions feel cumbersome. However, once you get used to the controls, the experience is still rewarding.

“Starbound” on Xbox is a welcome addition to the console’s indie lineup, offering a massive sandbox experience with nearly endless replayability. While the game’s PC origins are evident, patient players will find a rewarding and immersive world to explore.

If you enjoy sandbox crafting games and do not mind a bit of a learning curve, “Starbound” is well worth a try — especially now that it is on Game Pass.


Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week

Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week
Updated 23 February 2025
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Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week

Noon By Noor showcases latest line at London Fashion Week

DUBAI: Designers Shaikha Noor Al-Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al-Khalifa of Bahraini label Noon By Noor unveiled their Fall Winter 2025 collection during London Fashion Week.

The brand held a salon-style showcase at London’s Somerset House.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Noon By Noor (@noonbynoor)

Noon By Noor’s latest collection was inspired by Bahrain’s architectural landscape —specifically the work of Swiss architect Christian Kerez, whose multi-storey car parks in the city of Muharraq have become a cultural hub.

The four car parks were commissioned by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities as part of a wider preservation and development project in Murharraq, which served as the Bahraini capital until 1932.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Noon By Noor (@noonbynoor)

“We are fortunate to have been nurtured in art and architecture, both in our home and in our surroundings in Bahrain – a place rich in both, from which we can draw constant inspiration,” Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa said in a released statement.

Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa added: “While working on this collection, we focused on finding a sense of balance between structure and curves, elegance and ease, function and frivolity, a balance between generations — a collage of the past, the present and the future.”

The line features sculptural jackets, draped bodices, and sliced silhouettes that subtly reveal the skin. As per the brand’s design ethos, embellishments are minimal and textures and fabrics play a larger role.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Noon By Noor (@noonbynoor)

The designers employed a technique of stripping and fraying wool tweeds and reapplying them onto tulle to create their own lightweight fabric that is used across the collection.

Meanwhile, the color palette stays true to the fashion house’s previous collections, with heavy use of neutral shades. A dark shade of chartreuse acts as a counterweight to the black, beige and dark grey ensembles featured in the latest line, while a slick and shiny trench coat in creamy beige stood out on the runway.

The womenswear brand was established in 2008 and was previously shown at New York Fashion Week before the designers made the switch to London.


Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs

Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs
Updated 23 February 2025
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Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs

Maharat offers MasterClass-style lessons by Arabs for Arabs

DUBAI: Maharat, a new online Arabic edutainment platform, has announced a new business masterclass led by Toufic Kreidieh, Executive Chairman of Brands for Less Group. The course aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with practical insights into building and scaling businesses in a competitive market.

Designed to blend education and entertainment, Maharat has positioned itself as a player in the region’s digital learning space, similar to the well-known US subscription platform MasterClass. Maharat features classes from well-known figures in various fields, including music, acting, makeup artistry, home cooking, and professional development. High-profile instructors such as Ragheb Alama, Kosai Khauli, Rahma Riad, Bassam Fattouh, and Salam Dakkak have already contributed courses to the platform.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Maharat | (@maharatarabia)

“Having lived in the US for a while, I experienced firsthand the extremely ambitious mentality people have there and the genuine belief that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. This mentality is primarily fueled by access to elite education and roadmaps for achieving success provided through online education. At Maharat, we want to bridge this gap in our region and inspire everyone in the Arab World to pursue their dreams and become the best version of themselves by democratizing access to the highest caliber of education and success secrets,” said Maharat CEO Arman Khederlarian to Arab News.

Kreidieh’s “Building and Growing Your Business” masterclass is aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills such as understanding market trends, setting strategic goals, and identifying customer needs.

“Business success is about strategy, adaptability, and informed decision-making,” Kreidieh said. “Through this masterclass, I hope to share the lessons I've learned so others can build businesses that are both sustainable and successful.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Maharat | (@maharatarabia)

Maharat CEO Khederlarian added, “As Maharat continues to expand, we are focused on providing users with insights from some of the region’s most accomplished figures. This masterclass offers practical knowledge for those looking to thrive in the business world.”


Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards

Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards
Updated 23 February 2025
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Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards

Oscar-nominated Palestinian film ‘No Other Land’ wins at Independent Spirit Awards
  • The Spirit Awards, held in a beachside tent in Santa Monica, California, is the more irreverent sister to the Academy Awards, celebrating the best in independent film and television
  • The awards limit eligibility to productions with budgets of $30 million or less, meaning more expensive Oscar nominees like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” were not in the running

Los Angeles: “No Other Land,” the Oscar-nominated film by a Palestinian-Israeli collective about the destruction of a village in the West Bank, has won the documentary prize at the Independent Spirit Awards.

The Spirit Awards, held in a beachside tent in Santa Monica, California, is the shaggier, more irreverent sister to the Academy Awards, celebrating the best in independent film and television.

“No Other Land” was directed by a collective of four Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers — activists Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor — and marks their directorial debut.

The film follows the story of Adra, a young Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, as he fights against the mass expulsion of his community by Israeli forces. Since childhood, Adra has documented the demolition of homes and displacement of residents in his region under military occupation.

Meanwhile, Sean Baker’s “Anora” won best film, best director and best actor for Mikey Madison at the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday in what could be a preview of next Sunday’s Oscars: The film about a Brooklyn sex worker and her whirlwind affair with a Russian oligarch’s son has emerged in recent weeks as an awards season front-runner.

In accepting the directing prize, Baker spoke passionately about the difficulty of making independent films in an industry that is no longer able to fund riskier films. He said indies are in danger of becoming calling card films — movies made only as a means to get hired for bigger projects.

“The system has to change because this is simply unsustainable,” Baker said to enthusiastic applause. “We shouldn’t be barely getting by.”

“Anora’s” best film competition included Jane Schoenbrun’s psychological horror “I Saw the TV Glow,” RaMell Ross’ adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s “Nickel Boys,” Greg Kwedar’s incarceration drama “Sing Sing” and Coralie Fargeat’s body horror “The Substance.”

This year had several other possible Oscar winners celebrating. Kieran Culkin, considered an Oscar favorite, won the supporting performance award for “A Real Pain.” His director, co-star and writer Jesse Eisenberg won best screenplay for the film about two cousins embarking on a Holocaust tour in Poland.

Culkin was not there to accept — he also missed his BAFTA win last weekend to tend to a family member — but other Oscar nominees like Madison and Demi Moore were.
Madison won the top acting prize over Moore at the BAFTAs last weekend, as well, and stopped Saturday to pet Moore’s dog Pilaf on the way to the stage. Acting categories for the Spirit Awards are gender neutral and include 10 spots each, meaning Madison and Moore were up against Oscar nominees like Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”) and Sebastian Stan (“The Apprentice”).

“Flow,” the wordless animated Latvian cat film, won best international film. At the Oscars, it’s competing in the international film category and animation.

While the Spirit Award winners don’t always sync up with the academy, they can often reflect a growing consensus as in the “Everything Everywhere All At Once” year. The awards limit eligibility to productions with budgets of $30 million or less, meaning more expensive Oscar nominees like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” were not in the running.

Sean Wang, left, accepts the award for best first screenplay for "Didi" from presenter Ruth Negga during the Film Independent Spirit Awards on  Feb. 22, 2025, in Santa Monica, California. (AP)


Sean Wang accepted best first feature and best first screenplay prizes for “Dìdi.” He said it was special to be sharing the stage with one of his stars, Joan Chen, who was also nominated for the same award 25 years ago for “Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.”

The Netflix phenomenon “Baby Reindeer” also picked up several prizes, for actors Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning and Nava Mau.

Mau, who is trans, spoke about the importance of actors sticking together “as we move into this next chapter.”

“We don’t know what is going to happen, but we do know our power,” Mau said. “We are the people and our labor is everything.”

Other television winners included “Shōgun,” for best new scripted series, and “How to Die Alone,” for best ensemble.

“How to Die Alone” creator and star Natasha Rothwell was emotional while accepting the ensemble prize. The show was recently canceled after its first season.
Rothwell said it was “a show about the need to feel seen, to be valued just as you are.”

“For Black stories, visibility isn’t a privilege: It is a necessity,” Rothwell said. “We deserve to take up space, to be complex, to be hilarious and to be fully human.”

KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Chris Powell, Michelle McLeod, Natasha Rothwell, Jaylee Hamidi, Elle Lorraine and Arkie Kandola, after receiving the Best Ensemble Cast award for "How to Die Alone" in the 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards. (REUTERS)

The generally lighthearted show took a moment to acknowledge the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles. Bryant made a plea to anyone watching the show, in the audience or on the YouTube livestream, to help rebuild L.A. She pointed to a QR code that appeared on the livestream to make donations to the Film Independent Emergency Filmmaker Relief Fund, providing grants to alumni impacted by the wildfires.

The show also paid tribute to longtime Film Independent president Josh Welsh, who died earlier this year at age 62. Welsh had colon cancer.

Bryant said in her opening that it had been a “great year for film and a bad year for human life.” The “Saturday Night Live” alum kicked off the event ribbing some of the nominees, like Emma Stone.

“Emma was a producer on four nominated projects tonight,” Bryant said. “But even more importantly, her hair is short now.”

Stone also featured prominently in Eisenberg’s speech, when he picked up the best screenplay prize for “A Real Pain.” Since they met on the set of “Zombieland” in 2009, he said, she’s been supportive of his writing despite being “the most famous person I know” and produced both of his films.

“I think of her not as my producer, but as a fairy godmother, like I’m riding the coattails for her goodwill,” Eisenberg said.

The camera cut to Stone, teary and moved, in the audience. She and her husband Dave McCary’s production company Fruit Tree also produced Julio Torres’ “Problemista” and “Fantasmas” and Schoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow.”

“I Saw the TV Glow” went into the show tied with “Anora” with six nominations. It left with only one, for producer Sarah Winshall.