This initiative is part of a broader cultural movement, one that seeks to weave art into the very fabric of Riyadh’s urban landscape, making it synonymous with an imme.
In the heart of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is undergoing a transformation unlike any before. The city is redefining its contours and colors under the aegis of Riyadh Art, a national public art initiative that is turning the capital into a canvas for creative expression. This initiative is part of a broader cultural movement, one that seeks to weave art into the very fabric of Riyadh’s urban landscape, making it synonymous with an immersive artistic experience. At the forefront of this cultural renaissance is Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival, which returned for its third edition, transforming Saudi Arabia’s capital into a luminous playground for artists and art enthusiasts alike. The festival, which once again cast its glow on November 30, 2023, and will continue to shine until December 16, distinguishes itself by inviting artists from all corners of the globe to participate in the city’s metamorphosis into a realm of light and art. It’s a celebration that extends beyond mere visual spectacle, transforming Ryadh into an open-air gallery that marries the beauty of the desert with the boundless possibilities of light and art.
This year’s theme, ‘The Bright Side of the Desert Moon,’ beckons visitors to explore the connective power of light—a force that sustains, comforts, and binds people together. Curated by the illustrious team of Jérôme Sans, Pedro Alonzo, Fahad Bin Naif, and Alaa Tarabzouni, Noor Riyadh spreads across five main hubs—each a constellation of creativity that challenges the starkness of the desert with the vibrancy of illuminated artistry. The art installations are strategically located throughout the city, from the bustling heart of the JAX District, a newly developed cultural and commercial epicenter designed to be a hub for creativity and innovation, to the serene King Abdullah Financial District, and beyond. Each neighborhood becomes a gallery, each street an aisle, and each public square a theater of light and shadow. The festival not only adorns the city with light; it also weaves a narrative that reflects Riyadh’s historical journey and its aspirations for the future.
Under the ethereal glow of the night sky, Janet Echelman’s « Earthtime 1.26 Wadi Namar » stands as a testament to the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. As the artist herself explains, « It’s a manifestation of interconnectedness – when any one element in the sculpture moves, every other element is affected.
