L'OFFICIEL spoke with the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art for a look at the new In the Night exhibition.&nbsp;

In Riyadh's Jax district, known as a center for creative spirits and artists, the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA) opened its doors for the first time in late <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/most-unforgettable-fashion-moments-of-2023-beyonce-taylor-swift-met-gala-mcqueen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023</a>. Positioned as a space where artists can thrive, SAMoCA@Jax operates as part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture's Vision 2030 program, which promotes creativity, <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/chanel-global-culture-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">culture</a>, and intellectual enrichment.
With its latest exhibit, In the Night, SAMoCA@Jax, the first <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/art/frieze-london-looking-back-on-20-years-of-contemporary-art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contemporary art</a> museum in the country, explores nocturnal themes, with a focus on the introspective, observational nature that <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/art/artists-to-follow-instagram-art-influencers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artists</a> often tap into while the rest of society is asleep. Many pieces included in the exhibit lean into gray, black, and white tones&mdash;<a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/bulgari-high-jewelry-collection-fall-2023-gray-matter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">muted</a> hues that both serve as a blank canvas for the external expression of the artistic spirit of imagination and creativity, as well as a visual reminder of the darkness and mystery of the night. The exhibit is comprised of work from both local Saudi artists and international artists, with contributors hailing everywhere from <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/usa-france-fashion-friendship-legacy-lofficiel-archives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">France</a> to <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/fashion/nana-komatsu-chanel-muse-virginie-viard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japan</a> to Morocco&mdash;highlighting SAMoCA's commitment to fostering a transformative artistic community and acting as a hub of cultural heritage.&nbsp;
In anticipation of SAMoCA's newest <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/art/frieze-los-angeles-2024-guide-exhibits-parties-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exhibit</a>,&nbsp;L'OFFICIEL tapped Ibrahim Alsanousi, the acting CEO of the Museums Commission within the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Culture, to get a comprehensive look at In the Night, as well as the impact SAMoCA@Jax aims to have on the surrounding <a href="https://preview.lofficielusa.com/art/joshua-vides-fendi-artist-mca-chicago-converse-sneakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">community</a>. In the Night is currently on display at SAMoCA@Jax, where it will remain open to the public until the end of May 2024.&nbsp;

<div>L'OFFICIEL: What is the In The Night exhibition? Ibrahim Alsanousi: Presented by the Museums Commission, Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia, In the Night exhibition showcases the transformative power of art in interpreting the domain of the night. The exhibition presents creative artworks shedding light on the mystery of the night and its intricate dimensions. The night, often a sanctuary for artists and poets, serves as a canvas for imagination, introspection, and observation. Curated by Geraldine Bloch, In the Night exhibition invites visitors to experience over thirty Saudi and international artists' interpretations of the nocturnal landscape, conveyed through a diverse range of mediums including sensory experiences, large canvases, installations, sculptures, and video works. This exhibition not only underscores the rich tapestry of contemporary art but also marks a significant milestone in the cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia. The exhibition opened its doors to the public at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax (SAMoCA@Jax) in February and will run until the end of May.</div>

<div>L'O: What is the significance of holding the exhibition at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art? IA: SAMoCA@Jax, the first Contemporary Art Museum in the country, recently opened its doors with the objectives to play a vital role in cultivating a vibrant contemporary art ecosystem, as well as empowering local artists. The Museum stands as a testament to the renaissance ushered in by Vision 2030 &ndash; a vision that positions Saudi Arabia as a global hub for transformative creativity.</div>
<div>Vision 2030 has transformed the way Saudi citizens live, work, and play, with sweeping social reforms propelling the Kingdom into a new era of opportunity and prosperity. Fostering an environment of creativity and artistic expression in Saudi Arabia and positioning the Kingdom as a new cultural and artistic destination. </div>
<div>L'O: How has the museum&rsquo;s opening enriched the local art scene? IA: Under the guiding principles of Vision 2030, and based on the Saudi Ministry of Culture&rsquo;s strategy of promoting culture as a way of life, SAMoCA@Jax is positioned as a platform where Saudi and international artists converge, connect, and grow. This is not just a museum; it's the future of Contemporary Art for Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab region.&nbsp;</div>

From left: Levi van Veluw "Sculpting Matter," 2020; "Landscape With a Hose," 2020.

SAMoCA@Jax's Newest Exhibit Traverses the Transformative Mystery and Beauty of the Night

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SAMoCA@Jax's Newest Exhibit Traverses the Transformative Mystery and Beauty of the Night

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