Noor Riyadh ("Riyadh Light" in Arabic) is an annual light and art festival that illuminates Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital city. Considered the largest light art festival of its kind in the world,[1] it falls under the umbrella of Riyadh Art, a project launched by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as an initiative of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to transform the Saudi capital into an open art exhibition.[2]
Noor Riyadh kicked off its inaugural edition in March 2021[3] at the Saudi National Museum and King Abdullah Financial District under the theme "Under One Sky,[4] " examining the human tendency to view light from an artistic and creative point of view. The event saw an ensemble of pioneering artists hailing from 20 countries, 40% of them Saudi artists, present 60 historic, visual, and engineering artworks in the form of sculptures, light shows, immersive experiences, kinetic art, and outdoor installations.[5] The festival was curated by the Saudi curator, Dr Eiman Elgibreen, and Dutch curator, Pam Toonen. [6] The festival also included a retrospective art exhibition by 30 artists titled Light Upon Light, which tracked the progress of light art since the 1960s.[7]
Noor Riyadh's second edition was held in November 2022 under the theme "We Dream of New Horizons," symbolizing optimism and trust in the Saudi Arabia's path-breaking transformation and renewal journey.[8] Based in four key locations across Riyadh, the festival delved into how light has evolved to play a role in shaping our worldly relations. The Saudi capital was lit up across 40 different sites, thanks to 130 artists (34% of them local talent) who brought to life 190 light artworks, including 90 pieces that went on display for the first time.[9]
The event featured a charity auction where works by leading Saudi artists went under the hammer, with proceeds going to various art programs run by nonprofit foundations.[10]
In November 2023 Noor Riyadh held its third edition under the theme "The Bright Side of the Desert Moon." Over 100 artists from 35 different countries participated, including 35 Saudi artists. The event showcased 120 artworks in five main locations across Riyadh, namely King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), JAX District, Salam Park, Wadi Hanifa, and Wadi Namar. The artworks included large-scale installations, immersive projections, drone shows, light reflections on various buildings, and interactive artworks.[11]
The third edition featured an accompanying exhibition titled "Refracted Identities, Shared Futures," held at the JAX District in Diriyah from November 2023 to March 2024. The exhibition had the participation of 32 artists from all over the world and featured workshops, art seminars, panel discussions, and community programs to provide a creative artistic space for all those interested and creative from all segments of society.[12]
One of Noor Riyadh's standout installations, the Belgian artist Koert Vermeulen's creation featured a five-tonne star hanging from a height of 256 metres atop the Kingdom Tower, symbolizing stellar movement, with the light installation moving at the start of each hour for a minute to represent the lifecycle of a star from birth to extinction.[13]
Another work that graced the festival was by American artist Marc Brickman. Inspired by tRiyadh, over 2000 drones were used in this work. It also claimed a Guinness World Record for the highest number of drones that took part in an art show.[14]
Conceptualized by French artist Yann Kersalé, Pulse of Light was a night-time laser show that started from three skyscrapers in Riyadh and intersected in the night sky to create a bridge of gleaming rays connecting the Kingdom Tower, Faisaliah Tower, and Majdoul Tower.[15] The show could be viewed from anywhere in the city and received four Guinness World Records for the longest distance covered for a light laser display, biggest light laser display, highest laser show, and largest display on a building interface.[16]