The Saudi Museums Commission has inaugurated the fourth Saudi edition of BIENALSUR at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) in Diriyah’s JAX District, marking a milestone in the Kingdom’s engagement with global contemporary art. Running from 15 October to 31 December 2025, the exhibition Let’s Play: A Labyrinth of Options features 26 international and Saudi artists, exploring themes of choice, chance, and imagination under the curatorship of BIENALSUR Artistic Director Diana Wechsler.
Part of BIENALSUR’s tenth anniversary edition, the biennial originated at the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF) in Buenos Aires and now spans over 70 cities and 140 institutions worldwide. SAMoCA’s Riyadh chapter continues its mission to foster cultural exchange, empower local talent, and expand public access to contemporary art.
The museum has been transformed into an interactive environment, with light, sound, and movement complementing audience-activated works, immersive installations, and walkable sculptures. Visitors are invited to engage directly with the art, creating a dynamic experience for families, students, and enthusiasts alike.
Complementing the exhibition, SAMoCA presents two additional programmes: SAFAR and MUNTADA SAMoCA. SAFAR, an outdoor concert series, opens the museum to music lovers and younger audiences, featuring performances by Bon Entendeur on 28 October, Keziah Jones on 12 November, and Love and Revenge on 8 December, alongside a masterclass with Wael Kodeih on 7 December. MUNTADA SAMoCA, from 2 to 8 November, offers a week of masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, and film screenings under the theme Focus on Image: Tools, Language and its Power, inviting participants to explore the creation, interpretation, and influence of images in contemporary culture.
This edition of BIENALSUR in Saudi Arabia exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to international cultural dialogue, creative experimentation, and expanding public engagement with contemporary art.
Location: Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), JAX District, Diriyah, KSA
Date: 15 October until 31 December 2025
About BIENALSUR
Founded a decade ago at Argentina’s Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF), BIENALSUR was conceived as a platform for integration and cultural exchange. Organized in partnership with Fundación Foro del Sur, it operates through collaborative networks, connecting local and international communities while occupying public spaces. The biennial unites emerging and established artists worldwide, with works selected through open international calls. Guided by the voices of artists rather than curators or preset themes, BIENALSUR fosters critical engagement and dialogue. Its global reach spans France, Japan, Uruguay, Chile, Senegal, Timor Leste, and Spain, earning recognition from UNESCO as an essential gathering of contemporary creation.