Just in time for the festive season, Noor Riyadh, also known as the world’s largest light festival, is back for its third edition. The two-week luminous celebration will illuminate Riyadh’s cityscape until Dec. 16, spanning across five dynamic hubs within the Saudi capital.
The extravagant light and illumination exhibition will cast its radiant glow upon unexpected corners across the city– from residential areas and bus stations to popular tourist attractions, pedestrian pathways, and parks. Featuring more than 120 artworks, expansive installations, and immersive projections by regional and global artists, this year’s edition promises to be a visual feast.
The diverse array of artworks are strategically placed across five primary hubs, with the central hub situated at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), complemented by light displays at JAX District, Salam Park, Wadi Hanifa, and Wadi Namar that are set to dazzle.
Each artwork at Noor Riyadh resonates with the chosen theme for this year: The Bright Side of the Desert Moon. Crafted by over 100 artists from 35 countries, these captivating pieces are dispersed throughout the city, creating an enchanting tapestry of light.The festival coincides with a curated exhibition titled “Refracted Identities, Shared Futures” on display in Saudi’s art hub, JAX District, from Nov. 30 to March 2.
Curated by Neville Wakefield and Maya Al Athel, the exhibition unfolds across three distinct spaces – Cosmos, Temporality, and Connectivity and showcases the works of over 30 global artists exploring themes of mythology, astrophysics, swarm intelligence, and the diverse properties of light.
As the nights close in, wrap up warm, grab a piping cup of qahwa, and head to these magical light displays.
‘Absent Sky’ by Muhanad Shono
Muhannad Shono’s creation immerses visitors in a room bathed in white light, with a black, formless void above. Transforming and moving, the empty space becomes a living entity, drawing lines in the imaginary cosmic sky. “Absent Sky” invites viewers to contemplate the interplay between light and darkness, the physical and the unseen.
‘A Wild Kingdom’ by Diana Thater
Diana Thater presents one of the largest video art projections, spanning over 400 meters in Wadi Namar. Featuring footage of wild animals in their natural habitats, the monumental projection aims to bring humanity closer to the wonders of the natural world, fostering a renewed connection.
‘Molecule of Light’ by Chris Levine
Chris Levine’s 25-meter-tall structure comes alive as darkness falls over Wadi Hanifa. With a meteorite at its center, the artwork, synchronized with the planet’s rotation, guides visitors into a transient meditative state. Through the interplay of sound and light, “Molecule of Light” aims to evoke feelings of joy and optimism.
‘Behind the Curtain Shines the Light’ by Gregor Hildebrandt
Gregor Hildebrandt’s artwork, crafted from scraped videotape parts, creates expressive motifs on a curtained wall. Resembling visible gestures in the air, these white strokes evoke the spirit of American painter Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings, adding a touch of artistic flair to the festival.
