Laurent Grasso, Future Herbarium, (2023).
Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
In Partnership with Noor Riyadh
Noor Riyadh, the Largest Light Art Festival in the World, Returns for Its Third Edition
Running until December 16, 2023, the citywide spectacle is bathing Riyadh in a glow of large-scale light art, captivating building projections, performances, and beyond
Max Hooper Schneider, Falling Angel, (2023). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist.
Noor Riyadh, the Largest Light Art Festival in the World, is back for its third edition in Riyadh, with the festival running through from November 30 through December 16, 2023. There is also an accompanying exhibition that is open until March 2, 2024.
Curated by celebrated curator Jérôme Sans, who is the co-founder of Paris’ Palais de Tokyo, along with Boston-based Pedro Alonzo and Riyadh-based Alaa Tarabzouni, and Fahad Bin Naif, this year’s festival theme is “The Bright Side of the Desert Moon” and it features over 120 artworks by around 100 artists—more than 35 from Saudi Arabia—from more than 35 countries.
“We look forward to continuing Riyadh Art’s mission to turn the city into a dazzling gallery without walls and to ensure that art is for everyone.”
His Highness Prince Badr bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture
Artur Weber, Inner Waves, (2023). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; Courtesy of the artist
The festival’s exhibition, meanwhile, titled “Refracted Identities, Shared Futures,” is held at the JAX District. Neville Wakefield, formerly of MoMA PS1, Frieze Projects, and Desert X, returns to lead the curation of the show alongside Maya Al Athel, Curator, who served as artistic director of the festival in 2022.
Noor Riyadh 2023 features over 500 community engagement programs throughout the course of the festival and the exhibition. “Under the guidance of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, our dedication to culture and the arts has opened doors for creative expression,” said His Highness Prince Badr bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, Board Member of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Riyadh Art Program. “The participation of renowned global light artists in Noor Riyadh echoes our united vision. We look forward to continuing Riyadh Art’s mission to turn the city into a dazzling gallery without walls and to ensure that art is for everyone.”
The premise of the festival is to support local talent and promote Saudi Arabia’s booming cultural renaissance. It is part of Riyadh Art, which is one of the largest public art initiatives in the world, transforming the city into a massive open-air museum with over 1,000 public art installations.
Across its editions, Noor Riyadh has created unique moments of joy and wonder to all its citizens who can marvel in the light artworks and rediscover the city in a new perspective.
See images of the extraordinary showcase below.
Abdullah Alamoudi, Look Up and You’ll Find Me, (2023). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
Ange Leccia, Arrangement. Terrestrial Globes, (1991-2023). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
Arwa Al Neami, Memo Light, (2023). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
Chourouk Hriech, Cities of Stars, (2023). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
Janet Echelman, Earthtime 1.26 Riyadh, (2023). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
Edra Soto, Casas-Isla, (2022). Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
Cover: Laurent Grasso, Future Herbarium, (2023).
Photo: Noor Riyadh 2023, a Riyadh Art Program; courtesy the artist
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