Noor Riyadh light and art festival launches with installations by 60+ global artists

Noor Riyadh is now lighting up the night sky of the Saudi Arabian capital.

The festival of light and art, combining light artworks across the city, has ignited for the first time, and is in the midst of 17 days of spectacular installations.

The citywide installation program that began on March 18 runs until April 3. The Noor Riyadh festival overall runs until June 12. In addition, the Light Upon Light: Light Art since the 1960s exhibition, as well as citywide activities, run until June 12 as well.

Over 60 celebrated global artists from as far and wide as Argentina, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States, including 23 leading Saudi artists, have been selected to display significant works of light art under the theme of ‘Under One Sky.’

The names include Daniel Buren, Carsten Höller, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, Yayoi Kusama, Dan Flavin and Robert Wilson, alongside Saudi artists Ahmed Mater, Lulwah Al Homoud, Ayman Zedani, Rashed AlShashai and Maha Malluh.

Noor Riyadh is part of the larger Riyadh Art program that is investing in more than 1,000 pieces of public art to turn the city into a gallery without walls. It was inaugurated as one of the four mega-projects of Riyadh City by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and initiated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“This magnificent festival is a metaphor for the transformation of Riyadh. It illuminates our ambition to become one of the world’s most competitive and liveable cities by 2030,” said Advisor of brand and marketing to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Hosam Al-Qurashi.

“We believe this initiative will have a profound and positive effect on enriching the lives of citizens, residents and visitors alike, bringing together a global community which sparks creative expression and creates an inclusive culture. Riyadh Art will also positively contribute to the economic development of the city as a place for investment and where the new creative economy flourishes, while having a positive impact on developing Riyadh as a beautiful, vibrant and cosmopolitan city for everyone to enjoy.”

Overall, Noor Riyadh festival features 33 citywide installations encompassing all forms of light art, including sculptures, projections, interactive shows, kinetic and immersive pieces placed in numerous locations across the city to excite and entertain residents and visitors.

Alongside the citywide installations is the aforementioned Light Upon Light: Light Art since the 1960s, the largest retrospective exhibition of lightworks featuring the work of 30 artists, is being held at King Abdullah Financial District Conference Center (KAFD).

The festival also includes a program of over 270 special activities of tours, talks, workshops, family activities, film screenings and music, many of which are available online allowing the festival to be enjoyed by a wider audience outside of Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.

“Noor Riyadh is a celebration of light and art on an unparalleled scale. Art is a universal language and light is a symbol of hope and, in these challenging times, it is my hope that this festival shines like a beacon to the world and illuminates our path to a brighter future reflecting our theme of ‘Under One Sky’,” Director of Riyadh Art Khaled Al-Hazani said.

“Noor Riyadh has been designed as an immersive, interactive festival of light and art and, whether you are here in-person or engaging with us online around the world, this is an opportunity to connect with people from across the globe, sharing experiences based on the warmth of personality, generosity of spirit and creative thought.”

The installations will be visible to all in public spaces across the city and a complete list of the exhibitions and special events can be found online at http://noorriyadh.sa. Some events, such as workshops, film screenings and talks are ticketed with a nominal charge to manage capacity and ensure public safety and compliance with social distancing regulations.

Light Upon Light: Light Art since the 1960s exhibition at King Abdullah Financial District Conference Center (KAFD), Riyadh, as part of Noor Riyadh, a Riyadh Art program, March 18 – June 12, 2021, http://noorriyadh.sa/