Riyadh, December 12, 2024 – Wadi Hanifah, a renowned natural landmark and historic valley, has emerged as a prominent hub for the Noor Riyadh Festival this year, transforming into a vibrant center for artistic exploration, environmental awareness, and cultural dialogue. This year’s festival brings together local and international artists, using the breathtaking landscape of Wadi Hanifah to celebrate humanity’s deep connection with nature while addressing pressing themes of sustainability and environmental preservation.
Wadi Hanifah, with its rich historical and ecological significance, has long served as a symbol of the harmonious coexistence between urban development and the protection of natural environments. By choosing this iconic location as one of the festival's primary venues, Noor Riyadh highlights the ongoing need to balance progress with preservation. The installations placed in the valley offer visitors an opportunity to reflect on humanity’s evolving relationship with the Earth. Many works feature elements of environmental sustainability, celebrating the vital connection between mankind and the planet.
In this striking valley setting, a diverse range of light installations, sculptures, and multimedia art pieces from both local and international artists come together to form a unique artistic narrative. Each piece conveys a message about the future of our environment, humanity’s shared heritage, and the pressing need to protect the natural world.
Among the many outstanding works featured at Wadi Hanifah is Mangiah by Saudi artist Fahad AlNaymahm. This luminous sculptural caravan of camels, with its radiant glow, evokes the spirit of the desert and serves as a tribute to Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage. In another notable installation, Ala Wadeh Al Nega by Saeed Gamhawi, 21 illuminated pillars celebrate the unification of Saudi Arabia, symbolizing the continuity of generational connections that have shaped the Kingdom’s history.
Saudi artist Hmoud Alatawi’s interactive work, Energy of Vision, draws inspiration from Riyadh's future landmarks and represents the collective human effort to build civilizations. Nasser Al Turki’s thought-provoking piece, Journey to the Light, features an illuminated astrolabe-like structure, guiding visitors through a contemplative passage that explores spiritual enlightenment. Meanwhile, Saad Al Howede’s The Tapline reimagines the historic Trans-Arabian Pipeline as a conceptual light installation, reflecting on our dependency on fossil fuels and the environmental challenges tied to this legacy.
The Wadi Hanifah installations at Noor Riyadh seamlessly blend tradition with modernity, encouraging visitors to reflect on the evolving relationship between nature and technology. The works present a compelling call to action: they urge society to preserve the environment while celebrating the beauty, resilience, and vitality of both nature and humanity. These installations not only enhance the festival’s cultural and artistic significance but also reaffirm the message of environmental sustainability, a core theme of the event.
As part of the Noor Riyadh Festival, Wadi Hanifah invites visitors to immerse themselves in an experience that transforms the natural landscape into an active participant in artistic and ecological dialogue.
