ITHRA MUSEUM

Ithra is one of the best in the Saudi Arabian museum scene. It was erected on the site of the discovery of the first oil field in the country in March 1938. Fifteen kilometers south of Dammam, the building inspired by the internal structure of the bedrock where the oil is formed stands in the middle of a desolate desert. The work of Norwegian architect Snohetta, the tower and its two oversized pebbles alone are worth a look. The Ithra Museum joins the Guggenheim Museums in New York and Bilbao, the Musée des Confluences in Lyon and the Ordos Museum in China as architectural masterpieces. It has been designed in compliance with LEED environmental standards and all the species planted in its gardens have been chosen for their resilience to the harsh Saudi climate. In Arabic, ithra means "enrichment" and the name was obviously chosen to signify cultural enrichment. The museum is part of a larger project, the King Abdulaziz Cultural Center for World Culture, which includes a children's museum, a library, and a 900-seat performance hall. The Cultural Center was inaugurated in December 2016 by King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the museum opened in 2018. The site was fully funded by Aramco, the Saudi oil company.

In addition to the collections, the museum can be visited as a work in itself. The volumes, materials, play of light, and layout of the space are commented on during one-hour scheduled tours in English. The Ithra Museum is divided into five thematic galleries.

Funoon Gallery (Gallery 1). It presents an exploration of contemporary art in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia through temporary exhibitions that showcase today's artists.

Ajyaal Gallery (Gallery 2). The second gallery bridges the gap between the Saudi Arabia of yesterday and today. It revisits the national feeling through the different regions and cultures of the country. The exhibition "Being Saudi" was on display at the time of our visit.

Kunooz Gallery (Gallery 3). This gallery pays tribute to the country's Islamic heritage through a selection of ancient religious objects, models and interactive displays.

Rehlaat Gallery (Gallery 4). The interactive exhibition presents the country's geological formation, fauna and flora.

Aramcorama Gallery (Gallery 5). Photos and texts present the modern history of Saudi Arabia, the one that profoundly changed the country with the discovery of oil.