Diriyah, October 22, 2024 – Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the MENA region's pioneering hub for new media and digital art, has officially launched a call for applications for its inaugural Mazra’ah Media Art Residency, aimed at experienced artists and scholars in these dynamic fields. This exciting residency is scheduled to take place from February to April 2025 and is designed to cultivate innovation and foster intellectual exchange across various disciplines.
The three-month residency will offer two distinct tracks tailored for artists and scholars who are already established in new media and digital arts. Participants will benefit from access to state-of-the-art studios, advanced production labs, and a dedicated production budget, allowing them to develop and showcase their work in a supportive environment. Projects created during the residency will have the opportunity to be featured in exhibitions or included in scholarly publications through DAF and its extensive network of regional and international partners. Additional avenues for recognition will be available through further exhibitions, publications, and artist monographs.
DAF is poised to be a state-of-the-art facility that combines the functions of a school, laboratory, and exhibition space, set to launch later this year. Nestled within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, the expansive 6,550-square-meter hub has been meticulously designed by the renowned Italian architectural firm Schiattarella Associati. It aims to unite artists and technologists at the intersection of past, present, and future, encouraging collaborative exploration and creativity.
The name "Mazra’ah," which translates to "farm" in Arabic, is a nod to DAF's picturesque location overlooking the preserved farms and archaeological sites of Diriyah. Residents will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a tranquil setting, characterized by stunning views of these historically significant farms that have served as a vital source of sustenance since the era of historic Diriyah, the original capital of the first Saudi state. This serene environment invites artists and scholars to reflect on the intricate relationships between humans, nature, and technology, emphasizing how these connections can sustain and enrich life.
The theme for the 2025 residency, "High-Resolution Dreams of Sand," embodies DAF’s vision as a beacon of critical, creative, and scholarly development in the region. This theme encourages participants to create works that engage with the context of DAF’s surroundings and explore the interplay between history and the future. Artists are invited to contemplate and reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature and technology, producing proposals that resonate with contemporary issues, regional interests, and global narratives, particularly those emerging from the MENA region and the Global Majority.
Ibrahim Alsanousi, Acting CEO of the Museums Commission, highlighted the significance of the residency, stating, “The Mazra’ah Media Art Residency represents Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing the country’s cultural ecosystem and transforming Riyadh into a global hub for new media and digital art. Through these efforts, we are establishing the Kingdom as a center for cultural exchange, pioneering new forms of expression in the heart of one of our most cherished historic districts.”
Dr. Haytham Nawar, Director at DAF, added, “This dynamic residency offers established artists and scholars an unparalleled opportunity to develop new creative practices and contribute to global scholarly discussions on new media art through a regional perspective. We invite those passionate about these rapidly evolving fields to apply. This is where the impossible comes to life.”
Artists applying for the artist track should be established practitioners in new media and digital art, working across sound media, visual media, and methodologies related to computational, biological, scientific, or technology-related fields. The scholars' track will also consider established writers, scholars, and theorists in new media, digital art, or technology and culture. DAF encourages applications from across the globe, with a particular focus on participation from the MENA region.
Interested candidates are invited to explore the application criteria and submit proposals for the Mazra’ah Media Art Residency by January 20, 2025. More information can be found through the provided application link. For updates and further engagement, follow Diriyah Art Futures on social media: X @DAFmoc and Instagram @DAFmoc.
