Riyadh, November 19, 2024 – Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the first New Media Arts hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has announced its inaugural exhibition, Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts. Running from November 26, 2024, to February 15, 2025, in Diriyah, Riyadh, this landmark exhibition introduces the region to the transformative potential of new media and digital art.
Curated by Jérôme Neutres, former director at the Réunion des Musées Nationaux–Grand Palais in Paris, the exhibition features works from over 30 globally renowned and regional artists, reflecting the evolving relationship between creativity and technology. With a sweeping narrative that spans the history of computer art from the 1960s to the present, Art Must Be Artificial highlights how artificial intelligence (AI), algorithms, and computational art are reshaping creative expression.
Among the featured artists are leading Saudi creatives such as Lulwah Al Homoud, Muhannad Shono, Nasser Alshemimry (DesertFish), and Daniah Al Saleh, whose works range from geometric abstraction to robotic, audiovisual, and digital installations, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s innovative artistic talent. The exhibition also spotlights notable MENA artists, including VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr, Egypt/US) and Haythem Zakaria (Tunisia), who examine the intersections of media, culture, and technology.
Internationally acclaimed contributors include Refik Anadol (Türkiye), Ryoji Ikeda (Japan), Miguel Chevalier (Mexico/France), and Yang Yongliang (China), all celebrated for their revolutionary use of AI, data, and digital landscapes. Additionally, the exhibition pays homage to foundational figures in computational art, such as Frieder Nake (Germany), Vera Molnar (Hungary/France), Harold Cohen (UK), and Manfred Mohr (Germany), whose pioneering works laid the groundwork for algorithmic art.
Other prominent global names featured include Peter Kogler (Austria), Elias Crespin (Venezuela), Casey Reas (US), John Gerrard (Ireland), and Alan Rath (US), whose artistic practices redefine creativity in the digital age. Experimental and collaborative works by Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignonneau (Austria/France), Edmond Couchot and Michel Bret (France), and artists like aaajiao (Xu Wenkai, China) and Quayola (Italy) further enrich the exhibition, bridging historical foundations with innovative, contemporary narratives.
The exhibition’s setting in Saudi Arabia, a nation characterized by its young, tech-savvy population, underscores its cultural and historical relevance. With the word "algorithm" rooted in the Islamic world’s scientific heritage, Art Must Be Artificial draws intriguing connections between the past and the present, exploring how AI and algorithms are revolutionizing the art-making process.
Reflecting on his vision, Neutres stated, "This exhibition explores a profound transformation, where artists are not just creators but architects of a new digital age. By embracing the power of AI and computational technology, contemporary artists are opening infinite possibilities for the future of art."
The exhibition also features robust programming to engage audiences in the dynamic interplay of art and technology. Visitors can participate in panel discussions, masterclasses, hands-on workshops, performances, and guided tours. These activities, led by prominent artists and scholars, aim to deepen public understanding of new media art and foster meaningful dialogue on its impact.
Tickets and additional information about the exhibition and its accompanying programs are available on the Diriyah Art Futures website at [https://daf.moc.gov.sa/en/](https://daf.moc.gov.sa/en/). With its ambitious scope and innovative approach, Diriyah Art Futures positions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the global new media art scene, offering an immersive exploration of the future of creativity.
