Latest news with #Mazra'ahMediaArtsResidency
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi artist Reem Al-Nasser discusses her Diriyah Art Futures Residency
DUBAI: Saudi artist Reem Al-Nasser has been selected for the inaugural Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency, a new initiative from Diriyah Art Futures. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The residency, which runs until July, brings together artists and scholars to explore emerging ecologies, speculative futures, and the evolving relationship between technology, nature and cultural heritage. Organized by the Museums Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the residency supports experimental research and production in the field of digital and new media art. Participants are provided with a production budget and technical support, as well as access to labs and studios. The spring cohort includes artists and scholars from Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, France, Germany and the UK. Al-Nasser, one of three Saudi artists participating, described being selected as both an honor and a milestone in her artistic journey. 'I felt immense happiness and deep honor,' she told Arab News. 'Being chosen for such a prestigious residency was a validation of my artistic journey and gave me a sense of responsibility and excitement.' The theme of the inaugural residency is 'High-Resolution Dreams from the Sands.' Artists are encouraged to examine the intersections of land and technology. Al-Nasser's interpretation of the theme centers on the flower known in Arabic as Al-Samh — a plant native to Saudi Arabia, which she uses as a symbol of resilience, healing and shelter. 'I'm working on archiving the ancient behaviors associated with this flower as a symbol of defense and protection, incorporating its intricate details into digital artworks that simulate its essence,' she said. Al-Nasser is developing a series of interactive digital installations that integrate visual projection, augmented reality and artificial intelligence to animate the symbolic qualities of the flower and bring them into a contemporary digital art context. Her goal is to create a multi-sensory experience that immerses viewers in the story of the flower, blending visual detail with conceptual depth. 'These tools allow me to present the intricate details of the Samh flower in a stunning and unprecedented way,' she said. Al-Nasser often draws inspiration from traditional storytelling and behavioral patterns, using art to reframe these ideas through a modern lens. 'My style is a blend of digital and physical media, with a focus on storytelling — restructuring and connecting ancient knowledge with modern elements,' she said. 'Being in Diriyah opened my eyes to the importance of drawing inspiration from local elements and presenting them in a contemporary manner. It's also encouraged me to experiment with modern techniques I haven't used before. 'Diriyah has also inspired me with its natural beauty, palm gardens and ancient forts, which have become a central focus in my work,' she continued. 'The environment here encouraged me to deeply reflect on the relationship between nature and art and to celebrate its elements through technology. I hope people feel the profound connection between environmental science and the Desert Samh Flower and appreciate the power of nature in creating symbols that inspire art and creativity. I want them to reflect on the relationship between heritage and technology and how art can bridge the two.' As the Kingdom invests more heavily in cultural infrastructure and platforms such as DAF, Al-Nasser believes local artists are increasingly positioned to shape the global conversation around digital and new media art. 'Saudi artists are producing remarkable works that are rooted in cultural heritage while integrating modern technologies,' she said. 'They have the potential to revolutionize the global art scene by highlighting the beauty of local nature, like the Samh flower, in innovative ways.' Al-Nasser's journey into art began in her teenage years, driven by a fascination with creative expression and storytelling. 'Art became my way of understanding the world and sharing my perspective,' she said, adding that her creative inspirations often stem from historical and behavioral patterns. 'Ancient storytelling and understanding personal experiences were my primary sources of inspiration,' she explained. 'I've always been fascinated by the beauty of subtle details in behaviors, their connection to time, and how art can highlight and center them in storytelling.'
Leaders
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Diriyah Art Futures Launches New Exhibition for Digital Artists
Diriyah Art Futures has unveiled a new stunning exhibition in collaboration with 40 artists who depend on technologies to express their thoughts, according to Arab News. Titled 'Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art,' the exhibition will feature a series of artistic practices, rare archival works, recent digital experiments, and new commissions gathering artists from the MENA region. Co-curated by artists Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis, the occasion will take place from April 21 to July 19, at DAF in Diriyah, Riyadh. Through the four key themes of Automation, Autonomy, Ripples, and Glitch, the event will explore the geographies, technological paradigms, as well as the artistic concerns and gestures across various generations. The exhibition will showcase several artworks by various Saudi artists, as follows: Ahmed Mater Muhannad Shono Abdullah Rashed VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) Abdel Hadi El Gazzar Emily Jacir Mona Hatoum Walid Raad Akram Zaatari Hassan Meer Hicham Berrada Farah Al-Qasimi From networked resistance and machine logic to memory preservation, speculative ecologies, and glitch aesthetics, the artworks interact with urgent sociopolitical contexts. Related Topics: Diriyah Art Futures Announces 1st Cohort for Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency Diriyah Art Futures: Groundbreaking Hub for Digital Art Art Week Riyadh: Al Mousa Center Introduces New Artistic Themes Short link : Post Views: 30
CairoScene
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Breaking Art Boundaries: Q&A With the Director of Diriyah Art Futures
Originally Published on March 11, 2025 The quiet revolution at the heart of Saudi Arabia's cultural renaissance is unfolding through the use of digital art, artificial intelligence and new media, reshaping creative expression across the kingdom. Leading this movement is Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the first institution in the MENA region dedicated to New Media and Digital Art. It was created by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia to push the boundaries of creative expression, in the kingdom and beyond. While Saudi Arabia races toward its ambitious future, balancing tradition with innovation, DAF stands as a bridge between the past and the future, fusing heritage with cutting-edge experimentation. 'I'm incredibly excited about what we're building here,' Haytham Nawar, the institution's director, tells SceneNowSaudi, reflecting on DAF's role in reshaping Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape. 'This is a space where art, science, and technology come together to push boundaries and foster creativity and innovation.' Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah, DAF is a hub for collaboration, experimentation and innovation. With Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 placing a strong emphasis on cultural development, DAF is playing a key role in positioning the kingdom as a leader in global artistic innovation, drawing international talent while nurturing homegrown creative voices. The programs at DAF, such as the Emerging New Media Artists Programme and the Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency, are helping create a new generation of artists who will influence the future of global art discourse. In an exclusive conversation with SceneNowSaudi, Haytham Nawar shares his insights into DAF's mission, the institution's vital role in Saudi Arabia's broader cultural framework, and the revolutionary impact of new media arts in today's rapidly changing world. SceneNowSaudi: Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) is the first institution in the MENA region dedicated to New Media and Digital Art. What does this mean for the region's artistic landscape? Haytham Nawar: Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing a dramatic cultural transformation, which is already reverberating across the region. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia has established Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) as the first New Media Arts hub in the MENA region. DAF is a platform to attract top international talent into our creative orbit, while uplifting our own artists to the global stage. Through this cultural exchange, we are bringing our voices to global conversations, while enriching our creative landscape with fresh perspectives. New Media Arts is a particularly powerful medium for this process, inspiring bold experimentation at the intersection of art, science and technology. As a hub equipped with world-class facilities and mentors, we are primed to empower the next generation of creatives to push boundaries and shape the future. Can you tell us more about DAF's role within the Saudi Museums Commission and the Ministry of Culture's broader vision? DAF is a key initiative of the Saudi Museums Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture. The Museums Commission seeks to enrich the cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia by establishing world-class museums and cultural assets, empowering talents and fostering new forms of creative and artistic expression. This is part of a wider effort, under Vision 2030,to develop cultural institutions that enrich lives, drive economic growth and position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in arts, culture, and innovation. DAF embodies this spirit, as a platform that is nurturing the next generation of emerging talent, while facilitating creative and scholarly production inspired by the unique context of Saudi Arabia. How does DAF's location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, influence its mission and approach to contemporary arts? DAF's location in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah presents a fascinating conversation between past, present and future. As a forward-looking institution with deep roots in Saudi Arabia's rich history, it embodies the Museums Commission's commitment to developing institutions which simultaneously celebrate Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage while embracing pioneering creative movements. This relationship is also reflected throughout the physical architecture of the hub itself, designed by Schiattarella Associati, which combines vernacular local traditions with contemporary aesthetics. The building takes its cues from Diriyah's traditional Najdi architecture, incorporating natural materials such as stone, raw earth and mud plaster, alongside contemporary innovations such as rainwater collection systems and passive cooling techniques. The intersection of art, science, and technology is at the core of DAF's vision. How does DAF facilitate collaboration across these disciplines? DAF is a unique amalgamation of educational hub, laboratory and exhibition space, a place where artists, academics and technologists can come together from across the world to explore new frontiers of creativity. We welcome visionaries from a broad range of disciplines and empower them to create work that will challenge paradigms and redefine future narratives. DAF facilitates collaboration through a variety of ways, such as the one-year Emerging New Media Artists programme – a one-year scholarship offering developing talent access to cutting-edge professional equipment, a production budget, and a range of multidisciplinary learning opportunities, including personal mentorship by leading digital artists. Designed in collaboration with Le Fresnoy - Studio National des Arts Contemporains, the programme's first cohort includes 12 artists from 11 countries, including three Saudi artists and six others from the MENA region. Meanwhile, the Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency invites established artists and scholars to produce new work, backed by a production budget and access to cutting-edge facilities. Residents also enjoy opportunities to showcase their work through exhibitions or publications, facilitated by DAF and its network of international partners. What role does education play in DAF's mission, and how are you preparing the next generation of digital artists? Education is at the heart of our activities at DAF. As the first institution of its kind, we are building a context for New Media Arts in the region, and that involves a heavy focus on capability-building. With this in mind, we're inviting artists and scholars from the region to collaborate and deepen their creative and academic practices. We also welcome the Saudi public to come and experience New Media Arts first-hand through our public programming, workshops, and masterclasses. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire the groundbreaking pioneers of tomorrow and equip them with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to enhance their careers and practices. Can you tell us about the inaugural Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency? The Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency's inaugural theme, 'High-Resolution Dreams of Sand', encourages participants to produce work that engages with the unique geographic and cultural context of DAF's physical location adjacent to Diriyah's farms, while interrogating the bridges between history and the future, nature and technology. Residents are also invited to reflect on the hub's proximity to Riyadh, the rapidly developing capital of a nation undergoing a dramatic transformation. The theme also encourages conversations on ecologies emerging from contemporary contexts, and those influenced by late capitalism and Gulf-futurism. As a practising artist and scholar, what excites you most about leading DAF? Saudi Arabia is home to a very young, technologically literate society, who are embracing all of the new opportunities being presented under the wider Vision 2030 project. This holds a lot of promise for the New Media Arts space, and I am looking forward to seeing how we can finally give this region, with so much untapped potential, a more prominent voice in the global conversation. This is a time of rapid technological transformation, where new media are equipping artists with new and more powerful tools for creative expression. This is a unique opportunity to recalibrate the wider international cultural configuration in favour of the MENA region. What upcoming projects or initiatives should we look forward to from DAF? Following the launch of the Emerging New Media Artists Programme in November, we have also just launched the inaugural Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency. As our students and residents progress through these programmes, we look forward to sharing their journeys and work with the world. As our inaugural exhibition, 'Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts', drew to an end, we have now introduced the power and potential of New Media Art to the MENA region. We will soon be building on this foundation, as we announce our exciting next exhibition, planned for this year.
Leaders
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Diriyah Art Futures Announces 1st Cohort for Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency
Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Art Futures has launched the first cohort of Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency, according to Arab News. Set to run from April to July, the first session will include the following participants, as follows: UK-based artist Dr. Stanza Indian artist Harshit Agrawal Saudi artists Arwa Yahya Alneami, Reem Alnasser, and Reem Alfagih Japanese curator and scholar Mizuho Yamazaki German scholar Anett Holszheid According to the program, residents will have access to labs and studios, and a budget for production costs, as well as a dedicated production team. To highlight the effect of technology on natural and constructed landscapes, the participant will present projects under the theme of 'High-Resolution Dreams of Sand.' Interestingly, they will have an exclusive opportunity to get inspired by Diriyah's historic farms and Riyadh's evolving environment. After completing their projects, they will be documented in a publication. Importantly, the program will conclude with a series of public engagement programming to provide audiences with important insights on their research and explorations. Diriyah Art Futures represents a strong partnership between the Saudi Museums Commission and Diriyah Company. The new hub seeks to leave a strong impact on the new media and digital art landscape through the integration of regional voices into the global art and technology. Related Topics: Diriyah Art Futures: Groundbreaking Hub for Digital Art Diriyah Season 24-25: A Convergence of History, Culture and Arts Layali Diriyah: Immersive Cultural and Culinary Experiences Short link : Post Views: 19 Related Stories
CairoScene
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Diryah Art Futures Reveals Cohort for Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency
Seven Saudi and international artists will develop projects centered around the theme 'High Resolution Dreams of Sand'. Mar 25, 2025 Diriyah Art Futures has launched the first edition of the Mazra'ah Media Arts Residency, set to take place from April to July 2025, with an additional three-month session planned for autumn. The organisation has just announced the first cohort of artists and scholars selected for the programme. The inaugural session will feature Dr. Stanza (UK), Harshit Agrawal (India), Arwa Yahya Alneami (Saudi Arabia), Reem Alnasser (Saudi Arabia), Reem Alfagih (Saudi Arabia), Mizuho Yamazaki (Japan), and Anett Holszheid (Germany). These artists and scholars will explore themes under the residency's focus, 'High Resolution Dreams of Sand', examining the intersection of technology with natural and built environments. Participants will receive support in the form of production budgets, access to labs and studios, and a dedicated production team. The programme will culminate in public exhibitions and engagement initiatives, offering insight into the residents' research and creative processes. Launched last year in partnership with Diriyah Co. and developed by the Saudi Museums Commission, Diriyah Art Futures aims to enhance Saudi Arabia's new media and digital art scene through integrating regional perspectives into the global conversation on art, technology, and innovation. Diriyah Art Futures' first exhibition, 'Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts', marks its commitment to exploring the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and creative expression.
