RIYADH: The “Shapes of Water” exhibition opened on Wednesday at Riyadh’s Prince Sultan University (PSU), organized in partnership with the Italian Embassy.  “The importance of the exhibition is to raise awareness on the issue of water sustainability. It’s important to have it in Riyadh because the city is built on a desert, so this is one of the places in the region where the use of water is more important,” Italian Ambassador Luca Ferrari told Arab News. The exhibition contains artwork from across the Mediterranean, and serves as a cultural bridge among the region’s countries to underline their common heritage, he said. Renowned Saudi artist and designer Noura Bouzo contributed to the exhibition by creating an original piece inspired by traditional Islamic water filters used centuries ago across the Arab world. These beautifully decorated filters were used to filter water, keep it cool, and prevent insects from falling in. “It’s a unique occasion to celebrate the outstanding collaboration between the Italian Embassy and the PSU,” Ferrari said in his opening speech. The university “embraced the idea to host the exhibition and turned it into an opportunity for students, especially those studying interior design, to engage with a renowned institution such as La Triennale di Milano, which is one of the most prestigious Italian cultural institution founded almost a century ago with the aim of promoting art and design applied to everyday life,” he added. In a keynote speech, Marco Sammicheli, chief officer for international relations at La Triennale di Milano, which curated the exhibition, talked about the prestigious institution and the possibility of engaging in exhibition exchanges between the two countries. Italian Ambassador Luca Ferrari, PSU Rector Ahmed Yamani & Marco Sammicheli of La Triennale di Milano listening to an explanation at Shapes of Water" exhibition. (AN Photo by Saad Al-Dosari) Ferrari said: “We’re here to celebrate the special relationship between Italy and Saudi Arabia. Four decades ago, there was a strong artistic and academic dialogue between our two countries. Young Saudi artists traveled to and lived in Italian cities as part of their artistic journey, and Italian architects have worked, and are still working here in great numbers and contributing to development in Saudi Arabia. We’re working to advance a stronger strategic framework between our two countries.” The exhibition concludes a year-long cultural program, initiated by Italy’s Foreign Ministry and promoted by its embassy in Riyadh, aimed at encouraging dialogue and cooperation between Italy, Middle Eastern and southern Mediterranean countries to create opportunities to enhance intercultural dialogue and cherish common heritage, he said. “It’s in this spirit that the exhibition aims to address the issue of water sustainability, which is of particular relevance now, especially in the Gulf,” Ferrari added. In his opening remarks, PSU Rector Dr. Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Yamani welcomed guests and expressed hope that students will benefit from the cooperation between the embassy and the university. The exhibition will continue until Jan. 31. It is open to the public on a daily basis and is free, but prior online registration is required at the following website: https://bit.ly/2D5ooLi.