Magnificent light and art festival ready to launch in Riyadh with spectacular installations by more than 60 international artists

Noor Riyadh festival runs from March 18-June 12 with a Citywide installation program from March 18-April 3. The Light Upon Light: Light Art since the 1960s exhibition and citywide activities run from March 18- June 12.

Festival line-up includes other international icons such as Daniel Buren, Carsten Höller, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, Yayoi Kusama and Dan Flavin alongside Saudi artists Ahmed Mater, Lulwah Al Homoud, Ayman Zedani, Rashed AlShashai and Maha Malluh.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Noor Riyadh, one of the world's most exciting festivals of light and art combining the highest quality of light artworks across the largest city footprint, ignites today for the first time and start 17 days filled with spectacular installations lighting up the night sky of Riyadh.

"Koert Vermeulen" - Star in Motion, 2021 - Steel, aluminium, LED lighting, Automatic lighting, control systems - 625 cm diameter - Courtesy of the artist - Photo © Riyadh Art 2021

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

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. Advisor of brand and marketing to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City Hosam Al-Qurashi said: "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.

"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."

The 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 the Light Upon Light: Light Art since the 1960s, the largest retrospective exhibition of lightworks featuring the work of 30 artists.

The festival also includes a program of over 270 special activities of tours, talks, workshops, family activities, films and music, many of which are available online allowing the festival to be enjoyed by everybody, anywhere in the world. 

Director of Riyadh Art Khaled Al-Hazani said: "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'.

"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 magnificent 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.

Noor Riyadh is a citywide festival of light and art as a Riyadh Art program, March 18 – April 3, 2021.

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. 

"Squidsoup" - Submergence, 2013-2021 - Electronics, LEDs, computers, support structure - 768 x 1033 x 447 cm - Courtesy of the artists and Light Art Collection - Photo © Riyadh Art 2021