Noor Riyadh 2023 Scales Back for a More Coherent Light Art Experience
The third iteration of Noor Riyadh, recognized as the largest light art festival globally, has been streamlined from its expansive 2022 version to five primary locations, enhancing visitor flow and clarity of pathways. Curated by Jérôme Sans, along with Pedro Alonzo, Fahad Bin Naif, and Alaa Tarabzouni, "The Bright Side of the Desert Moon" concluded on 16 December 2023, showcasing over 120 pieces from more than 100 artists. The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) served as the main hub, complemented by JAX, Wadi Namar, Wadi Hanifa, and Salam Park. Highlights included PHI Studio's interactive "Still from here" (2023) and Zahrah Alghamdi's "Life" (2023). The indoor exhibit "Refracted Identities, Shared Futures" at JAX, curated by Neville Wakefield and Maya Al Athel, will continue until 2 March 2024.
Key facts
- Third edition of Noor Riyadh, a light art festival, took place in 2023.
- Festival was scaled back from 40 sites to five main hubs.
- Lead curator: Jérôme Sans; curators: Pedro Alonzo, Fahad Bin Naif, Alaa Tarabzouni.
- Over 120 artworks by more than 100 local and international artists.
- Central hub: King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD).
- Other hubs: JAX, Wadi Namar, Wadi Hanifa, Salam Park.
- Indoor exhibition 'Refracted Identities, Shared Futures' runs until 2 March 2024.
- Curated by Neville Wakefield and Maya Al Athel.
- Notable works: PHI Studio's 'Still from here', Zahrah Alghamdi's 'Life', Khaled Makhshoush's untitled piece.
- Other artists: Lachlan Turczan, Abdulmohsen Al Bin Ali, Ahaad Alamoudi, Muhannad Shono, Moon Kyungwon & Jeon Joonho.
- Chris Levine's 'Molecule of Light' (2021) was also installed in Wadi Namar.
- Neville Wakefield: 'Light is the new ink. We are at a Gutenberg moment.'
- Festival organized by Riyadh Art.
- Riyadh population: over 7.5 million.
Entities
Artists
- Jérôme Sans
- Pedro Alonzo
- Fahad Bin Naif
- Alaa Tarabzouni
- PHI Studio
- Saeed Gebaan
- Hatim Al Ahmed
- Zahrah Alghamdi
- Khaled Makhshoush
- Neville Wakefield
- Maya Al Athel
- Lachlan Turczan
- Abdulmohsen Al Bin Ali
- Ahaad Alamoudi
- Muhannad Shono
- Moon Kyungwon
- Jeon Joonho
- Chris Levine
Institutions
- Riyadh Art
- King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
- JAX
- Canvas
Locations
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
- JAX
- Wadi Namar
- Wadi Hanifa
- Salam Park