Three years ago, "the Savior of the world" Leonardo da Vinci for $450 million went to auction at Christie's and is surrounded by a huge plume theories, guesses and assumptions associated with the painting and buying it, disappeared from public view. And while the world wondered what happened to "the Savior of the world", Saudi Arabia (the alleged media but not officially confirmed, the buyer of the work. — AI.) methodically was the global plan for the reorganization of its cultural landscape, the details of which the public learned thanks to the recent publication The Wall Street Journal.

According to the following edition of the Deputy Minister of culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fiesa in the next decade, the government of Saudi Arabia intends to build more than a dozen major art institutions, and more — are small, in the hope to attract tourists and add to the country's economy up to $27 billion annually. This plan — part of the global campaign for the recovery of the economy and the reputation of the country, full implementation of which to date is estimated at $64 billion.

it is Expected that "the Savior of the world" will be one of the many points of attraction for tourists. And this is why public demonstration is postponed until the opening of the new Museum complex. Representatives of the art-институций Saudi Arabia separately note that the Da Vinci painting should not be seen as the main star of the art world of the country. Some of its cultural leaders say they don't want the attention of "the Savior of the world", overshadowed the other work that they want to demonstrate. According to their idea, the main focus of the future art center should serve the culture of Saudi Arabia and Islamic art.

"It is a matter of perception. What can we say about the Saudi identity, if we do this picture of our showcase?" — said Stefano Carboni, chief Executive officer of the state Commission on new museums. He also noted that now the Commission's plans — the construction of the Museum of Western art, which potentially could put Da Vinci and which must be located next to another Museum focusing on Islamic art.

the Situation around the masterpiece of Da Vinci, points to the tensions around cultural identity of Saudi Arabia. Do not forget that this 500-летней work depicts Christ with arms raised in a blessing gesture — this alone can be seen as a potentially provocative story for a country that is proud to be the birthplace of Islam.

however, the plans recently announced by Saudi Arabia, — is one of the most ambitious and large-scale art-проектов oriented to the widest possible audience.

"We've was a closed country, and now people have a chance to get to know us, — said Deputy Minister of culture of the country Fayez. — Much has been written about one specific picture, but we need to focus on the big the things that we're trying to do." The desire to bring these plans to life is so great that the authorities also noted that they are not afraid of the coronavirus pandemic, oil crisis and the austerity measures, stating that their plans are long-term and will continue, despite the current blow to global tourism. "Culture doesn't stop at COVID-19, — Fayez added. — We do not stop, and go forward."

This desire forward — a big step for a country where a few years ago, public art was banned, as well as cinemas, Opera and rock-концерты, and which today begins to take part in many international events art-мира, increasing its weight and presence in all spheres of art-индустрии.

the Material was prepared by Maria Kuznetsova, AI

Source: wsj.com