Saudi light festival tries to sell public on arts push

Saudi light festival tries to sell public on arts push

More than 130 artists from 40 countries participated in Noor Riyadh
More than 130 artists from 40 countries participated in Noor Riyadh. Photo: Fayez Nureldine / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Dazzling installations have been lighting up the Saudi capital, bringing a taste of the kingdom's push to become a global arts destination to ordinary Saudis -- not just habitual museum-goers.

A massive red orb glowing outside the national library, illuminated rods dotting the riverside at a popular picnic spot, and Arabesque designs projected onto the mud-brick walls of a 130-year-old fort -- these are all part of Noor Riyadh, a city-wide festival.

Saudi curator Jumana Ghouth said she found it "amazing" to see Saudis from different socio-economic backgrounds "interact with the work", given that "we're not really a nation that grew up with art".

Saudi Arabia has generated buzz, and some controversy, in recent years for luring major names in the contemporary art world to shows like Desert X, situated amid the dramatic sandstone mountains of Al-Ula in the thinly populated north.

Read also

Indigenous film bringing cross-border Amazon tribes together

Saudi Arabia has generated buzz, and some controversy, for luring major names in the contemporary art world to shows
Saudi Arabia has generated buzz, and some controversy, for luring major names in the contemporary art world to shows. Photo: Fayez Nureldine / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

Noor Riyadh, by contrast, brings light installations to more than 40 locations in a fast-growing city of more than seven million people, many of whom may never consider dropping in on a gallery.

"Specifically those that cannot even afford to travel -– we're bringing art to them," Ghouth said.

The focus on well-trafficked public spaces means "these art pieces just popped up in their comfort zone", said Gaida Almogren, another Saudi curator involved in the festival which opened last week.

"I think that's the role of art: to come and poke, and see how you're reacting."

Launch events for Noor Riyadh included a light show in a park involving 2,000 drones and a rave in the desert outside the city, with the DJ set up underneath a large, glowing inverted pyramid.

Read also

Eco warriors: S.Africa school puts green issues at heart of teaching

Most encounters with the light installations, however, are much more subdued.

One recent night, Adel Shuker wandered with his wife and sister-in-law through a Noor Riyadh installation by Puerto Rican artist Gisela Colon, marvelling at how the light glimmered off a manmade lake nearby.

In fast-growing Riyadh, many residents may never consider dropping in on an art gallery
In fast-growing Riyadh, many residents may never consider dropping in on an art gallery. Photo: Fayez Nureldine / AFP
Source: AFP

"The light, how they put it there, how they distribute the light -- it's just like art, really," Shuker said.

It was a novel experience for the 52-year-old retired navy analyst, who described himself as unfamiliar with Riyadh's art museums and galleries.

"I want to be honest with you: I don't go there," he said.

"We don't have time -- Riyadh now, it's very crowded, you cannot move easily. It's rush hour anywhere, at any time. So we have to find time for ourselves."

Avoiding politics

More than 130 artists from 40 countries participated in Noor Riyadh, which runs until November 19.

Like other events, the Noor Riyadh festival raises questions about 'artwashing' in Saudi Arabia
Like other events, the Noor Riyadh festival raises questions about 'artwashing' in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Fayez Nureldine / AFP
Source: AFP

As with other exhibitions in the kingdom, the festival raises questions about "artwashing", or using the arts to launder the image of a country notorious for silencing dissidents, most notably slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Read also

Veteran French designer Philippe Starck now looks to space

In recent months, Saudi Arabia has come under fire for decades-long prison terms handed down to two women who tweeted and retweeted posts critical of the government.

The negative headlines resulting from such cases undermine a central goal of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform agenda: to soften the kingdom's harsh image.

The Noor Riyadh installations generally steer clear of political messaging, though several highlight the ravages of climate change.

The festival's curator said international artists were under no pressure from Saudi authorities about content
The festival's curator said international artists were under no pressure from Saudi authorities about content. Photo: Fayez Nureldine / AFP
Source: AFP

The festival's co-curator Herve Mikaeloff, who worked with international artists, allowed that some of them may have been apprehensive about coming to Saudi Arabia but said none received pressure from local authorities about content.

"For sure, if you accept work here, you have to accept the rules and you have to accept the juridical and political situation of it," Mikaeloff told AFP.

"I think most of the artists that I was talking with wanted to underline that a festival like this (is) also a political gesture, to open the country to the world."

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.