Ithra And Al Fozan Award Partner For Three Major Mosque Culture Projects
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture have signed a memorandum of understanding to partner on three projects related to promoting the architectural, academic and cultural significance of Islamic architecture
The partnership will focus on three projects: the 2021 conference, a travelling exhibition, and a major publication related to the conference and exhibit.
The first project is the launch of a 2021 conference titled ‘Mosque: Innovation in Object, Form and Function.’ Aiming to support the study of the history, art and architecture of the mosque both within the Kingdom and abroad. In addition, it hopes to connect participants with programs and initiatives within the field. There has been an open call for research submissions for the three-day November 2021 conference with a deadline of December 28, 2020 for participation.
The open call welcomes submissions of research proposals, scientific papers and academic research that focus on mosques and they’re architecture; everyone from architects and designers, to researchers and curators, authors, poets, historians and more are welcome to apply.
The second project features the launch of a new international travelling exhibition examining the culture of mosques. Finally, the third project will detail the research and publication of content related to the conference proceedings and exhibition.
When discussing the partnership and it’s significance Mr. Abdullah Al Fozan, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture, says “This joint initiative comprised of three projects, presents a unique and important opportunity to prominently highlight the timelessness of Islamic architecture, from its inception to its prevalence and application in present day as a crucial cultural art form. Our partnership with Saudi Aramco and Ithra, will deliver an initiative wherein Islamic architecture will be explored further through an academic lens, published and documented to shift perceptions on a global scale, diversifying past common associations and providing enriching new definitions for mosques and Islamic architecture as a whole.”
“This partnership represents an important collective of expertise, unlocking new possibilities via a groundbreaking new conference set to broaden global understanding in Islamic architecture,” he adds.
Ithra, Saudi Aramco’s flagship CSR initiative, is a creative and cultural destination aiming to ignite cultural curiosity, championing Saudi culture on the world stage and delivering contemporary, historical and traditional global culture experiences to local audiences.
Whereas the Abdullatif Al Fozan Award for Mosque Architecture addresses new ideas for mosque design around the world and encourages innovations in planning, design and technology.
For more information on the partnership please visit ithra.com
Lead Image Courtsey of Unsplash / Dan Freeman
