The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has announced the return of Tanween 2024, Saudi Arabia’s leading design and creativity conference from October 31 to November 6 at the Ithra Theater in Dhahran.

 

Themed “Fail Forward”, the seventh edition of Tanween will push the boundaries of design by celebrating the innovative mindset and perseverance of designers and artists after facing unexpected challenges in their creative process. 

 

With a rich and engaging programme of panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions and immersive experiences, Tanween 2024 is a unique platform for global industry experts and emerging talents to exchange, discuss, and foster innovation through cross-cultural dialogue and knowledge sharing. Some of this year’s programme highlights include: 

• Panel discussions and keynote speeches  by leading figures in the arts and creative industries, such as world-renowned artist Ross Lovegrove, whose works are exhibited at MoMA in New York and The Pompidou Center in Paris, will address and present on some of the most important design considerations of today.

• Masterclasses and Workshops: led by thought leaders and design experts, such as tech designer and public artist Sebastian Errazuriz and Dubai Design Week curator Rana Salam will offer exclusive insights into their creative journeys.

• Preview of flagship design exhibitions: Showcases of new cutting-edge design installations developed during Ithra residency programmes and open call initiatives, including the recent Tanween Challenges and Mega Challenge. 

• International Exhibit 2024: Following the success of the Tanween 2023 international exhibition Routes to Roots, this year’s edition will also reveal the latest exhibition, titled Behind the Curtains: Scenes of Craft, born out of the creative collaboration between Ithra and Italian design platform Isola.

 

This Tanween edition will also offer a space dedicated to exhibitions of cutting-edge design pieces, as well as products developed through Ithra’s Creative Solutions Residency Program and Tanween Challenges. 

 

“Tanween is a catalyst for design innovation in the Kingdom and beyond, engaging the wider design community - from experts, practitioners, students, and passionate visitors - to expand their creative horizons and advance design practices for the enrichment of our society as a whole. Ithra is proud to act as the nexus and meeting point for innovators from all over the world during the Tanween creativity conference to facilitate not only a fruitful exchange of ideas but also the development of constructive, impactful design solutions.” said Shahad Alwazani, Program Lead: Tanween.

 

Over the years Tanween has become Saudi Arabia’s most important design and creativity conference fostering cross-cultural dialogue between emerging creatives and international experts and institutions, acting as a key global platform for innovative design incubation. - TradeArabia News Service