Issue 003 | Cultural Currents

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones safe. Given the current political climate, I hesitated on whether to move forward with this issue. It’s hard to focus on anything beyond the turmoil we see daily, but I remind myself not to rush into reactions, instead taking the time to add thoughtful contributions to the conversation. We hope our upcoming issues will offer something meaningful in response to these times. For this week, our focus is on cross-cultural exchanges and the role of educational spaces in fostering local arts and culture. In the midst of it all, I hope this issue brings a small bit of enrichment to your day.

Until next time,

Rand Al Hadethi

*For the best reading experience, read online on desktop.

Mashael Al Saei is a 29-year-old Bahraini artist currently based in Riyadh and is the Senior Researcher for the Diriyah Contemporary Arts Biennale. Her practice explores mythologies through text, image, glass, and a range of materials, offering commentary on cultural and environmental concerns.

She’s currently preparing for her debut solo exhibition, Gentle Porosities, set for the end of October 2024 at Hunna Art Gallery’s new permanent space in Kuwait. The exhibition will interrogate the longstanding association between the female body and the landscape, blending past works with new experimentations to address the exploitation of both.

This is a glimpse of Al Saei’s taste of Riyadh:

• Top 3 spots for local shopping:

The warehouse in JAX District has a Record shop, and is where I finally got to check out Seera live! They are a Saudi all-female psychedelic rock band.

By Two Studio in JAX!! For their stunning collection of Print Material. 

Terracotta Pottery Studio. You can make your own, and shop handmade pieces!

• Top spots for food:

I’m a sucker for the mulookheya (salad) at Takya (some would say, blasphemous). 

Joy Chocolates is perfect for when you want to bring something over to a friend or to take home for yourself.

My mom and I went to Fi Glbak for breakfast and she still can’t stop talking about how good it was.

Kuuru is just too good not to add to this list.

• An experience you’d recommend:

The entirety of Riyadh Season! I’ve never seen a city explode with activity an excitement as much as Riyadh does in the winter: From Noor Riyadh, to Misk, to Fenaa alAwal, the city is thrumming, especially with the arts scene.

• Riyadh-based creatives that people should know about:

The people is what make Riyadh so special to me: Tamara Kalo, Bilal Alef, Artur Weber, Federico Acciardi, Sara Mutlaq, and Madhawi Algwaiz.

• Top architectural spots:

Ministry of Interior - for obvious reasons.

Fenaa Alawwal is a bank turned cultural centre with exhibitions, workshops, and a cute cafe.

Alturaif is so gorgeous and well preserved. It’s the perfect place to take people visiting. 

• Niche spots that you love?

I ran a few workshops at a farm in Diriyah and it was one of my favorite days. They host farmers markets on Fridays!

Yadawi glass-blowing classes at Mashtal in DQ! I gifted some friends glassblown bead necklaces from this experience. 

*Click on images to shop.

By Rand Al-Hadethi

Since its launch in 2009, the Venice Internship programme by the National Pavilion UAE has become a key platform for promoting artistic and cultural exchange. It offers interns valuable experience while contributing to one of the world’s leading art and architecture exhibitions. Selected applicants will spend one month in Venice, working at the National Pavilion UAE during the Biennale.

“Living in Venice for a whole month felt intimate,” says former intern Maha Alnahal. “Sitting on a canal bridge, I observed the intricacies of the buildings and how light bounces off them at different times of day.” AlNahal is one of the latest interns at the National Pavilion UAE. She participated in this year’s Venice Art Biennale, Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia, featuring Abdullah Al Saadi’s work. In April, she traveled to Venice to help with pre-opening preparations and manage the exhibition during its first month. AlNahal graduated in International and Global Studies from the American University of Sharjah and recently worked as a Gallery Assistant at Art Dubai. This experience, she says, gave her a unique perspective on the UAE’s contemporary architecture, drawing parallels to smaller Emirati communities. “Oases or smaller towns also present community spaces, such as Mosques, and intricacies that reflect back its history. Abdullah al Saadi’s work brilliantly presents an imaginative space that takes elements from his town and his various journeys.”

AlZaina Lootah, a 2023 intern, adds, “Venice’s architectural landscape, characterized by its canals, historic buildings, and intricate facades, offers insights into how cities can integrate and preserve historical elements within modern contexts. This helped me understand how contemporary UAE architecture is balancing tradition with innovation, especially in rapidly developing urban environments. By engaging with its art scene, I gained insights into how these historical styles have shaped global art movements.”

Lootah is an Emirati graduate from the American University of Sharjah with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Raised in Dubai, she has a deep interest in studying and researching her city’s development and enjoys sharing stories about her culture. Prior to the internship, she was awarded the Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion Prize in 2022.

Interning at the Venice Biennale goes beyond admiring the city’s beauty—it’s a hands-on experience where interns manage daily operations, guide visitors, and engage with the exhibited works. This practical involvement, alongside peers from various creative fields, helps broaden their perspectives. For Lootah, the programme’s interdisciplinary environment had an impact on her approach to design. “Through interdisciplinary collaborations and being exposed to diverse viewpoints and problem-solving techniques, I developed ideas and formed cultural and contextual awareness in addition to networking and professional growth.”

Alnahal, too, was influenced by the range of creative voices she encountered. “I enjoyed hearing about their projects, which varied from documentaries to creative writing. The range and quality of creative expression prompted me to explore my photography and writing more. I began to experiment with different mediums to strengthen my visual identity and storytelling.”

The programme also gives interns the chance to network with professionals from around the world, helping to pave the way for future careers in the arts. Many alumni go on to hold successful roles in the UAE’s growing cultural sector, applying the lessons learned in Venice to their work back home. A key feature of the Venice Internship is the freedom it offers participants to engage with the local art scene. This autonomy allows them to explore Venice beyond the Biennale, deepening their understanding of global art in an organic, personal way.

“These internships are vital for nurturing talent and personal growth. The freedom of the internship helped me explore my artistic identity and learn from more seasoned artists,” shares Alnahal, while Lootah adds, “The internship builds confidence and fosters adaptability. Maintaining programmes such as the Venice Internship that create access to local art scenes is crucial for several reasons, and this freedom can profoundly shape the intern's overall experience through self-directed learning, creative exploration, and building a creative character.”

The programme is open to Emiratis and long-term UAE residents aged 21 and above who have an interest or background in the arts, architecture, or international relations. To date, the National Pavilion UAE has engaged with over 240 interns. The next Venice Internship will take place from 10 May to 23 November 2025 for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia. Each month, three interns will go, with 21 creatives taking part overall.

The deadline for applications is November 1, and more information can be found on the National Pavilion UAE’s official website.

*Click the image to go to the booking’s link

Newsletter Design: Desirée Barreto

Editorial Coordinator: Hajir Zaidan