Cities Under Quarantine Exhibition At SAMoCA Showcases Arab Artists' Reflections On COVID-19

The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) in Diriyah's Jax district launched the "Cities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project" exhibition. Organised by the Museums Commission, it runs from August 28 to September 28. This exhibition features artists' books by Arab creators, reflecting on the global isolation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020.

The project began with Abed Al Kadiri distributing 57 handmade books to Arab artists worldwide. These artists were invited to creatively respond to lockdown realities. Their responses became personal works that reimagined places and desires, turning solitude into a reflective space. This initiative first appeared at Villa Romana in Florence, then at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, before reaching Riyadh.

The exhibition delves into life’s suspension during the pandemic, where confinement reshaped human connections and encouraged self-discovery. Visitors encounter intimate testimonies blending art, writing, and personal reflections. These works serve as mirrors to an extraordinary period that unsettled the world and redefined human connection.

On September 6, a live performance titled "Today, I Would Like to Be" will occur in the museum's atrium. The public can participate in creating an evolving artist book, culminating in unveiling the exhibited works. This event is part of SAMoCA's program to foster cultural dialogue and broaden artistic expression.

As part of its program, two discussions will be held on the exhibition's second day. The first is "The Visual Traces of the Self: Between the Hands and the Eyes," followed by "Printmaking and the Artist's Book." These discussions aim to deepen understanding of visual art forms and their impact on personal expression.

SAMoCA at Jax opened in 2023 as a permanent contemporary art platform. It supports emerging voices through exhibitions, educational initiatives, and cultural programs. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasises culture as central to national development.

This exhibition underscores SAMoCA's commitment to supporting local art while engaging with international creative practices. By hosting such events, SAMoCA plays a crucial role in enriching Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape and promoting artistic dialogue globally.

With inputs from SPA