As Saudi Arabia opened Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), a new media art hub, it attracted significant international attention, which is a remarkable step toward the convergence of art and technology. This modern facility, which is located within the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, is a successful blend of history and modernity. DAF’s inaugural exhibition titled “Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts” has set the floor for DAF’s position as a global firm in new media art.
Engineering Contemporary
Art Space Diriyah, which is more than just an art space, has visionary plans that were developed by the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Museums Commission. DAF offers a space where artists, as well as scholars, can engage in research and activities in the context of the evolving relationship between art and technology.
According to Mona Khazindar, the advisor to the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia, the purpose of the institute is twofold. As Khazindar puts it, “Diriyah Art Futurism remains true to our ethos of promoting innovation and developing new ways of doing things. It’s not just about Saudi Arabia going global; it’s also about the rest of the world coming here. Diriyah Art Futurism is about innovation and facilitating dialogue and exchange.’”
A Striking Architectural Marvel
Additionally, the building that contains Diriyah Art Futurism is also a work of art. The glass features and the suspended walkway, combined with the angularly shaped sandstone walls, set the tone for the futuristic nature of the art within. The architecture embodies the local culture while simultaneously having a modern look—such a combination suits this pioneering idea perfectly.
DAC supremo Rem Koolhaas’s vision generally embodies such dualities. For example, the facade tends to turn into an animated canvas at night with the aid of Chevalier Miguel’s Digital Zelliges exhibits (2022), which cast bright geometric designs onto the building. The mixture of natural and digital aspects correlates to the principles underpinning DAF, which is the fusion of technology with the past.
“Art Must Be Artificial”: A First-Rate Exhibit
Jérôme Neutres holds a Ph.D. and is a reputable curator of Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts. The first computer art exhibition was able to capture its inception and the sophisticated times surrounding it. The exhibit self extends until the 15th of February in twenty twenty-five. It outlines how computer-generated artists stretch their creativity and use artificial intelligence to tackle several societal issues in order to emerge triumphant.
Such early works of computational art from the likes of Harold Cohen to Frieder Nake are shown at their best during the inaugural part of the exhibition. This is followed by a captivating narrative containing contemporary Cumber’s Digital Zelliges and Lulwah Al Homoud’s 2022 masterpiece, Perpetual Codes, a mesmerizing animation of Islamic geometric art.
DAF Director Haytham Nawar views the exhibition as a link between history and innovation. His words, ”The introduction of Diriyah Art Futures is bound to be an event in the chronicle of New Media Art by adding local voices in the global discourse. This exhibition provides an entry point to how artificial intelligence is changing the modus operandi of artists around the globe, lending credence to the claim as previously pointed out as well.
Nurturing innovation and partnership.
Diriyah Art Futures aims to nurture potential rather than only display work. Our initiatives include the Emerging New Media Artists Program awardee residency for selected individuals for a period of one year where the artists are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, trained, and allocated growth finances. The first cohort kicked off with artists from the Middle East, North Africa, China, and Wales, which reflects DAF’s role in promoting multicultural interchange.
Worthy of note too is that the Mazra’ah Media Art Residency, which is anticipated to commence in February 2025, offers recognized artists and researchers a three-month sabbatical to develop new projects aimed at donmazra’ah http://mazraah.com collaborative efforts. As a result of this residency, Diriyah Art Futures will reinforce even more the reputation of being the center of meaningful creativity and scholarship.
New near-future trends
DAF has a tight schedule that hosts many activities aimed at stimulation and creativity. Among the highlights are:
• A creative robotics masterclass on mechanics overlapping with AI in conjunction with art.
- An incredible blend of the classical tunes of the Middle East along with Haythem Zakaria’s innovative sound performance; there seems to also be a lecture held by Khalid bin Afif, which seems to have a great impact on the people who attend Chi by Mist, while Usama and Abdullah are the masterminds behind this spectacular sound performance. This lends credence to the idea that Diriyah Art Futures contributes to artistic progress, as the aforementioned initiatives most certainly dispel the traditional bias.
Fostering New Media Art
As we approach 2023, we see more Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, making their mark on the global stage. From the growth of major art institutions to different movements asserting themselves in the world of New Media Art, DAF is moving in conjunction with the times by promoting art institutions aiming to vaster alongside the growth of art in the region.
In the words of Khazindar, “Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia are now finally getting on the global stage. DAF puts immense effort into turning aspiring artists and scholars into well-known figures that are respected throughout the entire world.”
A Cultural Vision
Ongoing initiatives by the Saudi government allow for different mediums of dialogue to flourish throughout the Kingdom, speaking more about culture and having enhanced creativity.
Diriyah Art Futures exemplifies the impact that cultural institutions are capable of having on both a micro- and macro-level through the amalgamation of rich culture and art with modern technology. It not only enables artistic innovation but also provides a platform for education, discourse, and collaboration.
Visiting Diriyah Art Futures
The exhibition “Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts, which Art Critique can Analyze” began on October 9, 2022, and is set to close on February 15, 2025. It is mesmerizing for those who wish to view art in its fullness through AI. People can immerse themselves in the raw beauty of Diriyah while being taken through the technological advancements and breakthroughs in art.
In this era where technology and art seem to be the center of everything, Diriyah Art Futures is more than just an exhibition; it represents a mental shift, a fresh perspective, and a vision for the future of art.
To find out the latest about Diriyah Art Futures, such as the schedule of events, as well as residency application opportunities, check out their website.
Featured Image Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures.
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