AlUla, January 31, 2025 – As part of the highly anticipated AlUla Arts Festival 2025, Wadi AlFann is hosting an exclusive pre-opening program featuring renowned international artist James Turrell. This program aims to engage both local and international audiences by offering a glimpse into the artistic practices of the artists who will eventually contribute to the monumental artworks set to be showcased in the stunning desert landscape of Wadi AlFann. The initiative serves as a precursor to the larger artistic projects that will unfold in the future, creating a bridge between Turrell's pioneering vision and the region’s cultural landscape.
Turrell, a global authority in the realm of light and architectural art, is making a significant contribution to the AlUla Arts Festival with a special exhibition at the AlJadidah Arts District. This exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to engage with his artistic journey, featuring four key works from the Royal Commission for AlUla’s collection alongside private art collections. These works span a wide range of his career, including one of his earliest pieces alongside one of his most recent, highlighting Turrell’s evolving mastery of light as a transformative medium.
The exhibition at AlJadidah provides an in-depth exploration of Turrell's creative process, presenting a comprehensive vision of his upcoming project at Wadi AlFann. His future installation in Wadi AlFann will include a series of expansive chambers that invite visitors to experience a profound interaction with light, space, and the natural environment. This fusion of artistic innovation and the awe-inspiring desert landscape aims to offer a unique sensory experience, reflecting Turrell’s ability to blend artistic expression with the natural world. Visitors will encounter not only Turrell’s early works but also a glimpse into the monumental scale and sensory depth of his future installation in AlUla.
James Turrell is widely recognized as one of the leading artists working with light and architecture today. His work is defined by his ability to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary sensory experiences through the manipulation of light, color, and space. By creating immersive environments, Turrell challenges perceptions of reality and invites audiences to experience light in a way that transcends the traditional boundaries of art. His monumental architectural pavilions, often constructed in harmony with the sky and the surrounding natural landscapes, offer meditative spaces that encourage a deeper connection with both the environment and the cosmos.
Turrell’s project in Wadi AlFann represents a groundbreaking fusion of contemporary art and the rich historical and natural beauty of AlUla. Drawing inspiration from the region’s stunning desert landscapes and ancient heritage, his work promises to add a new, innovative dimension to the contemporary art scene in Saudi Arabia. By integrating light and space with the natural environment, Turrell’s installation will further the mission of Wadi AlFann to showcase cutting-edge art that resonates with both the past and the future, creating an immersive experience that invites reflection and engagement.
This exhibition marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing development of AlUla as a cultural and artistic hub, offering a unique opportunity for art lovers and visitors to experience Turrell’s transformative work in one of the world’s most visually striking and historically significant locations. As the AlUla Arts Festival continues to grow, Turrell’s contributions underscore the region’s role as a burgeoning center for contemporary art and innovation, where nature, culture, and art intersect in extraordinary ways.
