Noor Riyadh 2023, the critically acclaimed light art festival, which ran from November 30 to December 16, featured over 120 innovative artworks by more than 100 artists from 30 countries, more than 35 of which are from Saudi Arabia.

Engaging almost 3 million visitors, the public light art showcase transformed Saudi Arabia's capital into a dazzling 'gallery without walls', a statement said.

The festival featured over 100 workshops, more than 40 talks, over 100 family activities, and more than 1,000 guided tours, adding to the festival's vibrant atmosphere. Playing a pivotal role in nurturing talent, it embedded 41 apprentices into various festival teams while leveraging the support of more than 460 dedicated volunteers and support staff.

Adding six new Guinness World Records to the previous years’ achievements, Christopher Bauder's ‘Dialogue on Al Faisaliyah Tower’ set a record for the most lights in a light show on a single building as well as the record for the most lights used in a temporary light and sound show, illuminating both Al Faisaliyah Tower and Kingdom Tower.

Studio Drift's Desert Swarm created the largest drone bird swarm with an astounding 3,000 drones. Overall, the festival has also launched the most drones in a week, illuminating the skies with awe-inspiring performances.

Miguel Chevalier's Magic Carpet, Origin of the World presented the largest interactive projection-mapped display while Yinka Ilori's Block Cubes featured the largest temporary skatepark – a surprisingly refreshing experience within a light art festival.

Noor Riyadh 2023 was curated by Jérôme Sans, Pedro Alonzo, Fahad Bin Naif and Alaa Tarabzouni under the theme, 'The Bright Side of the Desert Moon', depicting light as a unifying force in these times of progress-induced isolation.

Artworks displayed across five main hubs in Riyadh, including the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), JAX District, Salam Park, Wadi Hanifa and Wadi Namar, offered residents and visitors alike a unique blend of art and technology, redefining the city's nightscape and inviting viewers to slow down, transcend time and space and get together under the magical light of the Riyadh moon.

Highlights included Janet Echelman's transformation of scientific data into visual spectacles, Diana Thater and Superflex's immersive video art projections, and Christopher Bauder's Dialogue, which illuminated Riyadh's architectural landmarks.

Middle Eastern and specifically Saudi artists shone brightly, with site-specific commissions and artistic interventions throughout the wadis, parks, and business districts of the city. In Salam Park, Chourouk Hriech's Cities of Stars presented structures covered in textiles depicting landscapes of global cities, intertwined with nature's essence.

In JAX District, Muhannad Shono's Absent Sky created a mesmerising experience with its play on light and formlessness. Monira Al Qadiri's works – the impactful Monument featured in the festival and the luminescent Zephyr series, presented in the exhibition – reflected on nature's dualities and microscopic marine life.

Curated by Neville Wakefield and Maya Al Athel, the ‘Refracted Identities, Shared Futures’ Exhibition delves deeper into themes of mythology, astrophysics, and the multifaceted properties of light, and will continue until March 2, 2024. It will feature artworks from over 30 artists that will explore the interplay of light, art, and technology.  

Khaled Al-Hazani, Executive Director of Riyadh Art, said: "Noor Riyadh 2023 has not only illuminated our city but also our hearts and minds. As we close this chapter, we look forward to the ongoing exhibition and the continuous enrichment of Riyadh's art and culture landscape.

“Our journey towards transforming the capital into a vibrant, creative global hub and ‘gallery without walls’ is aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and we are thrilled to contribute to this dynamic evolution." - TradeArabia News Service