Launched in 2017, Desert X— an international art exhibition that traditionally takes place in Coachella Valley, California— took the art world by storm when it unveiled an iteration of its famed annual exhibit in AlUla. Since 2020, Saudi Arabia’s ancient oasis city has played host to two flagship editions, set against its awe-inducing desert landscape. The third edition of Desert X AlUla is set to return in February, and this week, organizers lifted the veil on everything to know about the forthcoming event.
Set to get underway from Feb. 9 to March 23, 2024, Desert X AlUla’s much-anticipated return will be held in collaboration with the Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU), although this time it will be spread across three breathtaking locations: the Wadi AlFann desert, the Harrat Uwayrid biosphere reserve, as well as in the historic AlManshiyah neighborhood. Visitors and art buffs can expect a slew of local, regional, and international artists to flock to the former Nabatean hotspot to showcase their latest works, engage with industry-leading professionals and experts, all while interacting with the natural and creative heritage of the city.
For the forthcoming edition, the first site-responsive exhibition of its kind in Saudi Arabia will be curated by Athr Gallery’s former founding director Maya El Khalil hand-in-hand with award-winning Brazilian curator Marcello Dantas, who is known for his innovative interdisciplinary practices linking science, history, and technology, alongside Saudi cultural advisor Raneem Farsi and British art expert Neville Wakefield who will serve as creative directors.
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“We are delighted to have Maya and Marcello as the curators for Desert X AlUla 2024. Both have spent time in AlUla and understand its rich heritage as a place of cultural exchange and connect with the complex and spectacular landscapes of AlUla,” said Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts and Creative Industries at RCU.
“Under their curation, the selected artists will explore themes of the unseen, challenging humancentric perspectives in an awe-inspiring landscape, we look forward to seeing the works that will be on show,” she added.
The 2024 edition will be held under the theme of In the Presence of Absence. Partaking artists have been asked to probe the idea of space, emptiness, and the realm of the unseen. As they are encouraged “to engage with what is not immediately apparent,” ticket-holders will be able to experience new perspectives of time, wind, and light against a backdrop that is coalesced with centuries of history.
