Country for PR: United Kingdom
Contributor: PR Newswire Europe
Thursday, March 18 2021 - 22:27
AsiaNet
Magnificent light and art festival ready to launch in Riyadh with spectacular installations by more than 60 international artists
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

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.

Japanese artists Yayoi Kusama with her Infinity Mirror Room – Brilliance of the 
Souls 2014, and teamLab  with Flowers and  People – A Whole Year per Hour, 2020 
will be key artwork pieces at Noor Riyadh.

Festival line-up includes international icons 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, 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.

Over 60 celebrated global artists from as far and wide as Canada, 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.

Photo https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1459135/Noor_Riyadh_Koert_Vermeulen.jpg  
Photo https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1459136/Noor_Riyadh_Squidsoup.jpg   

Source:  Noor Riyadh