Diriyah Art Futures: A New Media Art hub building bridges between global cultures with cutting-edge technologies

Diriyah Art Futures Official Launch, Diriyah Art Futures©

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Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the Middle East and North Africa’s first dedicated New Media Art hub, has launched in, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a vision in mind – to establish itself regionally and globally as an interdisciplinary and innovative hub where art, technology, and cultural heritage converge. 

Located in the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, this pioneering initiative by the Saudi Museums Commission highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to redefining the global art landscape. Alongside its official launch, DAF has initiated its inaugural exhibition, ‘Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts’, a showcase of the evolution of computer art from the 1960s to the present day.

Among the captivating artworks featured in DAF’s inaugural exhibition is Interstices Opus III (2022) by Haythem Zakaria, a Tunisian transdisciplinary artist whose practice is deeply rooted in cosmogony and spirituality. This 22-minute 4K video projection explores the mythical and archetypal landscapes of North Africa’s Atlas Mountains, connecting ancient narratives to modern artistic inquiry.

Haythem Zakaria, Interstices Opus III, Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures, 2022 ©

Zakaria’s work draws upon the theories of Romanian religious historian and mythologist Mircea Eliade, who postulated that human rituals often mirror divine archetypes, offering a timeless connection between the terrestrial and the transcendent. Filmed across Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, Interstices Opus III summons the Atlas Mountains as both a geographical and symbolic topos. Through his collection and reinterpretation of cultural data, Zakaria explores the intersection of collective memory, spirituality, and art. The piece invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of the landscape, examining the mythological dimensions that continue to shape human understanding.

Zakaria’s artistic journey reflects a profound engagement with both traditional and contemporary mediums, weaving disciplines like sociology, ethnography, and economy into his practice. His Interstices is a testament to his ability to craft immersive stories that are as conceptually rigorous as they are visually stunning.

Complementing Zakaria’s cosmogonic exploration is the work of Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud, whose pieces in the exhibition, including Perpetual Codes (2022), explore the intricate beauty of Islamic geometric patterns. Her practice is informed by extensive research into the cultural and scientific knowledge embedded within these designs, which, while mathematical, possess a sense of freedom and organic evolution.

Lulwah Al-Homoud, Perpetual Codes, 2022, Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures©

In Perpetual Codes, a digital animation supported by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, Al-Homoud creates an interplay between tradition and innovation. Her approach to tessellation transcends rigidity, transforming lines and shapes into fluid, infinite perspectives that echo the interconnectedness of existence. Al-Homoud’s abstract visual language, grounded in balance and harmony, offers viewers a meditative experience, revealing the profound spiritual and aesthetic dimensions of geometry.

As an established artist and founder of the Riyadh-based LAHAF Art Foundation, Al-Homoud’s contributions to global art underscore the importance of cultural heritage in contemporary artistic practices. Her works form a bridge between historical knowledge and the possibilities of the digital age, making her a vital voice in the region’s New Media Art movement.

DAF’s programming extends beyond static exhibitions, exemplified by the live performance of Transient (2020) by multimedia artist Quayola during the opening festivities. This audiovisual concert, created in collaboration with the musician and technologist Seta, featured motorised pianos and video projections reminiscent of impressionist brushstrokes.

Transient is a striking exploration of the coalescence of human creativity and machine intelligence, with real-time improvisations that balance anthropic and technological forces. The performance underscored DAF’s role as a platform for the convergence of art and technology, offering audiences an immersive experience that redefines the possibilities of creative expression.

Transient performance by Quayola in collaboration with SETA, Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures©

Through its inaugural exhibition and visionary programming, Diriyah Art Futures is firmly positioning itself as a global hub for New Media and Digital Art. By presenting the works of local and regional talents alongside international innovators, DAF embodies its core mission: to reshape the potential of artistic expression in a fashion that is connected to the world but wired for the region.

In a sense, DAF’s broader vision transcends mere exhibition, encompassing a comprehensive slate of initiatives designed to stimulate interdisciplinary exploration. 

From masterclasses and workshops that engage participants in hands-on experiences to residencies that empower artists and scholars to create groundbreaking work, DAF cultivates a  fertile landscape for innovation and collaboration. These programmes are designed to equip emerging talents and seasoned professionals alike with the tools to navigate and contribute to the rapidly evolving art world.

Miguel Chevalier, Extra Natural 2018, Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures© 

As the first dedicated New Media Art hub in the Middle East and North Africa, DAF’s location in the historic Diriyah district, the birthplace of the First Saudi State, offers a unique backdrop where tradition meets modernity. This confluence of past and future enables the institution to act as a bridge, bringing global perspectives into dialogue with the rich artistic and cultural legacies of the region.

With its bold commitment to innovation, Diriyah Art Futures stands at the forefront of the global art ecosystem. It is a space where the boundaries between tradition and technology, the physical and the digital, and the real and the artificial are continuously interrogated and redefined – generating a future where art not only reflects but actively shapes our understanding of the world.