King Abdulaziz Historical Center Shines Bright as a Key Hub for Noor Riyadh 2024 Festival

Ahmed Bin Abdulqader

King Abdulaziz Historical Center (KAHC) continue to captivate visitors as one of the three hubs of Noor Riyadh 2024, the world’s largest light art festival. Showcasing cutting-edge installations and thought-provoking artworks by renowned Saudi and international artists, this year’s festival theme, Light Years Apart, illuminates the intersection of heritage, innovation, and cultural exchange.

Located in the heart of Riyadh’s Al-Murabba district, King Abdulaziz Historical Center is a landmark of Saudi heritage and culture. The area is home to significant historical sites, including the Murabba and Al-Hukm Palaces, which have shaped the Kingdom’s identity and governance. This historic setting offers a fitting backdrop for a diverse range of artworks that seamlessly blend tradition with contemporary artistic expression.

Featured Artists and Artworks

Saudi Artists:

• Rashed AlShashai presents The Fifth Pyramid, a monumental installation made of green petrochemical shipping pallets. This striking deconstructed pyramid, split by a glowing fuchsia path, symbolizes Riyadh’s transformation from an oil-based economy to a global hub for arts and innovation.
• Ali AlRuzaiza debuts A Part of a Human Life, a digital projection mapping installation that animates his symbolic paintings on the walls of KAHC. The work invites viewers to reflect on the human experience through a mesmerizing blend of colors and textures.
• Najla Alqubaisi introduces The Sound of Millstone, an audiovisual installation inspired by traditional Najdi folk songs. Projected onto sand, this dynamic artwork uses AI-generated visuals to recreate the rhythmic labor and enduring legacy of women’s cultural contributions.

International Artists:

• Random International engages visitors with Alone Together, an interactive light installation that tracks individuals within KAHC’s open-air space. This evocative piece explores the tension between solitude and connection in the digital age.
• Refik Anadol unveils Coral Dreams, a data-driven AI sculpture that transforms millions of coral reef images into a vibrant digital ocean. The artwork highlights the urgent need for climate action through its immersive visuals.
• United Visual Artists (UVA) showcases Aether, a kinetic installation where light and sound converge to create a dynamic sensory experience. Drawing on philosophical and scientific principles, the work encourages introspection on time and perception.
  Experience this mesmerizing artwork daily until December 14, with performances at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, each lasting 7 minutes.

About the King Abdulaziz Historical Center

A beacon of Saudi culture and history, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center embodies the Kingdom’s rich heritage while connecting it to modern artistic narratives. The Murabba Palace, built in the 1930s by King Abdulaziz, once served as a hub for decision-making and governance, while Al-Hukm Palace stands as a testament to Najdi architectural traditions.

As Noor Riyadh transforms this historic site into a vibrant stage for artistic expression, visitors can experience the profound dialogue between past and present, culture and innovation.

Noor Riyadh 2024 launched on November 28 and runs through to December 14, 2024, featuring over 60 artworks by more than 60 artists from 18 countries.

Join us at King Abdulaziz Historical Center to experience an extraordinary journey through light, art, and culture at Noor Riyadh festival, open daily from 6 pm to 1 am.

For more details, visit noorriyadh.sa or follow the festival on Instagram at instagram.com/noorriyadhfestival

For more information regarding Riyadh Art and Noor Riyadh contact:
Riyadh Art Media Center: info@riyadhart.sa 

Website: http://noorriyadh.sa
Instagram: @noorriyadhfestival
X: @NoorRiyadhFest
Facebook: @NoorRiyadhFestival

Website: www.riyadhart.sa
Instagram: @riyadhartofficial
X: @Riyadh_Arts
Facebook:  @RiyadhArtOfficial