Ithra’s 8th Tanween Kicks off with over Eight Exhibitions Exploring Design and Innovation
Dhahran – Asdaf News:
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) launches the program for the eighth edition of Tanween, its flagship design event, taking place from November 17 to 22 under the theme “Design the Unspoken.” Now Tanween explores how design can respond to needs that are not yet expressed.
Tanween 2025 presents over eight international and hosted exhibitions, the Tanween Majlis with more than 20 speakers, three “Day with an Expert” sessions, seven hands-on workshops, four walk-in activities, and the Tanween Design Market, as part of a wider program that also includes the Tanween Challenges and interactive experiences. The program brings together leading voices from across the global design community to explore new ideas, spark collaboration, and deliver real-world impact through workshops, talks, and design challenges.
The exhibition lineup includes The Exo-Cortex, an immersive experience by French artist Jérémy Oury; Shared Oasis: Design That Listens, co-curated with Ithra’s creative partner Isola; Terminal G, presented in collaboration with carpet specialists Iwan Maktabi and designed by BrickLab; Mujassam Watan, hosted by the Alfozan Social Foundation; Habitat Unspoken by Rizo Masr, a risograph printing and zine-making exhibition; and Designed in Saudi, presented by the Architecture and Design Commission at the Ministry of Culture. From the Lab, a materials-focused showcase highlighting experimental design research; and Baseqat: The Palm Tree Exhibition, celebrating Saudi palm weaving traditions and contemporary interpretations of Khoos craftsmanship. Ithra Museum’s ongoing exhibitions also form part of the wider design experience.
In addition, the GradShow will present 54 projects from 26 universities across 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the GCC, the wider MENA region, the United States, and South Korea, highlighting outstanding achievements in architecture, product design, interior design, visual communication, and fashion design.
Alongside the exhibition program, Tanween 2025 introduces the Tanween Challenges, themed “Design for the 90%.” The initiative invites designers to create practical, human-centered solutions for underserved communities through four design sprints: Global Impact Challenge, Product Design Challenge, Urban Spaces Challenge, and Visual Communication Challenge.
The Tanween Majlis hosts daily talks on design, culture, and society, featuring global and regional creatives such as Snøhetta, Concéntrico, eL Seed, and Gabriele Cavallaro. These experts also lead the Day with the Expert sessions, including Think the Snøhetta Way, Elevate Your Creative Practice, and Rediscover Playful Design. Complementing these are workshops exploring natural dyes, palm weaving, mixed reality, sustainable materials, and playful design concepts. Across Ithra, interactive installations and the Tanween Design Market further engage visitors, showcasing curated works by Saudi, regional, and international designers.
