Villa Hegra unveils inaugural curatorial program featuring prominent French and Saudi artists – Saudi Gazette

Villa Hegra unveils inaugural curatorial program featuring prominent French and Saudi artists – Saudi Gazette

ALULA — Villa Hegra, the French-Saudi cultural institution, is set to launch its first curatorial program, heralding a new era of artistic exchange between France and Saudi Arabia.This initiative, a cornerstone of Villa Hegra’s 2023-2024 preopening season, will showcase the collaborative efforts of four distinguished artists from both countries.The collaboration emphasizes the institution's role in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and setting the stage for future artist residencies.Curated by Wejdan Reda and Arnaud Morand, the program is designed to immerse artists in the rich heritage and landscape of AlUla, encouraging them to explore and interact with the local community through innovative formats.This initiative not only promises to enhance the creative exchange between the participating nations but also to enrich Villa Hegra’s cultural offerings in anticipation of its grand opening.The program features two unique artistic ventures. The first, a groundbreaking artwork commission, pairs Saudi-American visual and performance artist Sarah Brahim with French artist Ugo Schiavi.Together, they embark on a collaborative journey, integrating extensive research and interdisciplinary support to craft a site-responsive installation in AlUla.The second venture, the “Art Retreat,” offers a platform for Saudi artist Abdulrahman Alsoliman and French visual artist and stage director Théo Mercier to draw inspiration from AlUla’s historical and