Riyadh Art Explained

Riyadh art
Native Name:	الرياض آرت
Location:	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Country:	Saudi Arabia
Founded:	March 2019

Riyadh Art is a public art project in Saudi Arabia. It is one of Riyadh’s four megaprojects launched by King Salman bin Abdulaziz in March 2019, and one of the largest public art projects in the world. It is overseen by the National Megaprojects Committee led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. The project is one of the initiatives that contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.^[1]

Turning the Saudi Capital into an open-air art gallery, Riyadh Art will install more than 1,000 artworks and landmarks created by local and international artists across the city’s public spaces.^[2] Annual art events are bringing additional creative experiences to Riyadh.^[3]

Project vision

Riyadh Art gives people in the city new cultural, artistic, and recreational experiences that will contribute to the city’s quality of life.^{[4] [5]}

Noor Riyadh

Noor Riyadh is an annual celebration of light, art, and life, with light-based artworks across the city.

• The first edition of Noor Riyadh was held from March 18 to April 3, 2021, at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) based on the theme “Under One Sky” with the participation of more than 60 artists from over 20 countries; two of the artworks were of a scale that actually set world records: Beacon and Star in Motion.^[6]
• The second edition of Noor Riyadh had the theme “We Dream of New Horizons” and took place between November 3 to 19, 2022. It featured 190 artworks at 40 locations – ranging from creative light mediums to light sculptures. The festival included an art auction at the JAX District in Diriyah, which took place on 14 and 15 November as one of Riyadh Art’s charitable initiatives.^[7]

This edition of Noor Riyadh featured the world’s largest display of lighting art, including the Pulse of Light by French show designer Martin Arnaud and the light installation The Order of Chaos: Chaos in Order by American artist Marc Brickman.^[8]

• In November 2023, Noor Riyadh’s third edition had the theme “The Bright Side of the Desert Moon.” Taking place at five main locations across Riyadh – King Abdullah Financial District, JAX District, Salam Park, Wadi Hanifa, and Wadi Namar. More than 100 artists from 35 different countries participated, among them 35 Saudi artists. The event showcased 120 artworks, including large-scale installations, immersive projections, drone shows, light reflections on various buildings, and interactive artworks. The event also included an accompanying exhibition titled “Refracted Identities, Shared Futures,” held at the JAX District in Diriyah from November 2023 to March 2024, which attracted 32 artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world.^[9]

Tuwaiq Sculpture

Sculptures are a key expression of art in the public space, and Riyadh Art is supporting the art form through the annual Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium.

First Edition

In March 2019, the first edition of the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium was held with 23 artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world taking part.^[10]

Second Edition

The second edition of the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium was held in January 2020 with the participation of 20 artists from Saudi Arabia and around the world.^[11]

Third Edition

The third edition of the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium was held in November 2021 under the theme “The Poetics of Space” at Diriyah’s JAX District, gathering 20 artists from 16 countries, including Saudi Arabia.^[12]

Fourth Edition

Tuwaiq Sculpture 2023 was launched in January 2023. This fourth edition of the event had the theme “Energy of Harmony” and displayed more than 1,000 artworks across Riyadh; the symposium was joined by 30 artists from Saudi Arabia and 20 countries around the world.^[13]

Fifth Edition

The fifth edition of Tuwaiq Sculpture was held between 12 and 24 February 2024 under the theme “Dimensions of Movement” and saw the participation of 30 artists representing 20 countries.^[14]

See also

• Riyadh Green
• King Salman Park
• Sports Boulevard

References

1. Web site: Riyadh Art . 2024-07-24 . www.vision2030.gov.sa . en-US.
2. Web site: 2019-04-28 . A look at Riyadh Art, which is going to bring public art to the city . 2024-07-24 . Arab News . en.
3. Web site: The Kingdom Launches 4 Projects in Riyadh to Improve Quality of Life for Saudi Citizens The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . 2024-07-23 . www.saudiembassy.net.
4. Web site: Riyadh Art Project .
5. Web site: 2023-11-29 . Noor Riyadh returns to transform city into glowing work of art . 2024-07-24 . Arab News . en.
6. Web site: 2021-07-01 . 'Beacon' and 'Star in Motion' set Guinness World Records at 'Noor Riyadh' festival . 2024-07-24 . Saudigazette . English.
7. Web site: 2022-11-08 . Noor Riyadh, Saudi artists collaborate to raise funds for upcoming charity auction . 2024-07-24 . Arab News . en.
8. Web site: Massive light art festival in Saudi Arabia breaks six world records | Guinness World Records.
9. Web site: Magazine . Selections . 2023-12-04 . Noor Riyadh 2023: The world’s largest annual festival of light and art in Riyadh • SELECTIONS ARTS MAGAZINE . 2024-07-24 . SELECTIONS ARTS MAGAZINE . en-US.
10. Web site: Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium opens in Riyadh for the first time . 2024-07-24 . Arab News . en.
11. Web site: Culture Ministry to Launch Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium in Riyadh . 2024-07-25 . spa.gov.sa . ar.
12. Web site: Gallery Without Walls: Introducing Tuwaiq Sculpture 2023 . 2024-07-25 . artreview.com . en.
13. Web site: Tuwaiq Sculpture 2023 kickstarts 4th edition themed ‘Energy of Harmony’ . 2024-07-25 . Arab News . en.
14. Web site: designboom . ravail khan I. . 2024-02-21 . riyadh's tuwaiq sculpture 2024 carves dimensions of movement in local granite . 2024-07-25 . designboom architecture & design magazine . en.