Riyadh, December 18, 2024 – Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival and a flagship initiative of Riyadh Art, concluded its fourth edition with resounding success, attracting more than 3 million spectators and showcasing over 60 thought-provoking artworks from artists hailing from 18 countries. Under the captivating theme Light Years Apart, the festival offered a vibrant cultural experience, spreading across three iconic locations: the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and the JAX District. A truly breathtaking highlight was the large-scale light installation projected onto Al Faisaliah Tower, transforming Riyadh into a dazzling canvas of art and innovation, further emphasizing the city’s cultural renaissance.
The 2024 edition of Noor Riyadh gathered 18 talented Saudi artists alongside 43 international creators, who presented both site-specific installations and newly commissioned works. Each installation conveyed its own unique artistic perspective, merging technology, culture, and storytelling. Among the standout pieces was Higher Power by renowned British artist Chris Levine, a striking city-scale laser projection atop Al Faisaliah Tower. Another compelling installation, Shifting Perspectives by Maryam Tariq, explored the complex nature of visual perception and ambiguity at Digital City. The Aether installation by United Visual Artists brought the skies alive with a mesmerizing drone show at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center. Additionally, The Fifth Pyramid by Rashed AlShashai symbolized Riyadh’s ongoing cultural transformation, serving as a metaphor for the city’s dynamic evolution.
Khalid Al-Hazani, the executive director of Riyadh Art, reflected on the event’s success, stating, “Noor Riyadh 2024 celebrated humanity’s connection to the stars, sparking inspiration and dialogue through the universal language of art. We look forward to continuing Riyadh’s journey of cultural transformation.” Festival director Nouf Almoneef echoed his sentiments, expressing gratitude to the incredible team, staff, volunteers, and partners whose collaborative efforts brought the festival to life. She also extended heartfelt thanks to the millions of spectators whose engagement made this year’s edition unforgettable.
In addition to the awe-inspiring installations, Noor Riyadh offered a diverse array of community engagement programs that attracted over 52,000 participants. These included thought-provoking talks, discussions with artists, interactive workshops, creative activities, family-friendly experiences, and guided tours, all designed to deepen visitors' connection with the art on display. The smooth execution of these activities was made possible through the efforts of curators, artists, art explainers, tour guides, and installation crews, all of whom worked tirelessly to ensure that each participant enjoyed a meaningful experience.
The success of Noor Riyadh 2024 was also supported by an array of key partners, including the Ministry of Culture, JAX District, Al Khozama, Riyadh Region Municipality, Digital City, Visit Saudi, Independent Food, Nova Water, Careem, Uber, XP, Misk Art Institute, The Visual Arts Commission, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, SAMoCA, and Adhlal. Each of these partners played a crucial role in realizing the vision of the festival and ensuring its impact resonated both locally and internationally.
Noor Riyadh underscores Riyadh Art’s broader mission to transform Riyadh into a vibrant global cultural hub for public art. As the world’s largest public art initiative, Riyadh Art recently unveiled monumental public art installations coinciding with the launch of Riyadh Metro. Works like Alexander Calder’s Janey Waney and Robert Indiana’s LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside) reflect the city’s commitment to integrating art and architecture into daily life, enhancing the cultural landscape of Riyadh.
Since its inception in 2019, Riyadh Art has introduced over 500 artworks by more than 500 artists, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. Noor Riyadh continues to highlight the Kingdom's dedication to fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and public art. Through its commitment to transforming Riyadh into a global cultural destination, the festival has played a pivotal role in spotlighting the Kingdom’s growing cultural prominence on the international stage. The journey of Noor Riyadh is far from over, with its success paving the way for future editions to inspire, educate, and connect communities through the universal language of art.