The acclaimed Saudi-Arabian light-art festival Noor Riyadh is extending its global reach with a special exhibition held in Venice, Italy.
From October 19 to November 23, 2025, the festival partners with Fondazione Querini Stampalia, located in Venice, for a capsule exhibition under the theme “In the Blink of an Eye” as part of the Venice Architecture Biennale.
The unique exhibition offers Italian audiences a rare glimpse into Riyadh’s rapidly evolving cultural scene, highlighting the city’s emergence as a vibrant hub for both regional and international arts. It also marks an ambitious step in positioning Saudi Arabia on the global artistic map.
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The Exhibition
Curated by renowned Japanese art director Mami Kataoka, with the collaboration of Sara Al-Mutlaq and Li Zhenhua, the exhibition explores the intersections of human experience, transformation, and the power of light. The curators have crafted a visual and emotional journey that bridges continents, inviting visitors to experience the rhythm and energy of Riyadh’s contemporary creativity.
The exhibition “In the Blink of an Eye” has been branded as a 'capsule exhibition' because it served as a condensed, focused preview for the much larger, city-wide art event: the Noor Riyadh Festival of Light and Art.
For those looking to experience a taste of Saudi Arabia in Italy, the exhibition is set within the architecturally renowned halls of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, designed by Carlo Scarpa, creating an interesting merge between classical Italian architecture and modern Saudi artistic expression.
The artists
The exhibition features work by four artists who will also be part of Noor Riyadh 2025, from November 20 to December 6:
- Kim Eung-Won transforms the Riyadh Metro into a dynamic public gallery, turning everyday city spaces into striking modern art experiences.
- Wang Yuyang interprets Riyadh’s fast-paced urban and technological growth through radiant, immersive installations that showcase the city’s contemporary identity.
- Saudi artist Abdulrahman ElShahed bridges Riyadh and Venice with a calligraphic work that celebrates the rich cultural dialogue between Arab and European traditions.
- The exhibition pays tribute to the late Safeya Binzagr (1940–2024), offering Italian audiences a glimpse into her groundbreaking contributions and the enduring inspiration of her art.
Riyadh Art and Vision 2030
His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture, member of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, and Chair of the Steering Committee for the Riyadh Art Programme, shared: “The exhibition represents an extension of Noor Riyadh’s presence on the global art stage and reflects the rapid cultural flourishing taking place in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The partnership with the Fondazione Querini Stampalia also highlights the depth of artistic exchange between the Kingdom and the Italian Republic, reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting art and culture as a bridge for global human connection.”
The exhibition, alongside Noor Riyadh, reflects the broader mission of the Riyadh Art Programme: promoting Saudi art on the international stage, encouraging cross-cultural dialogue, and supporting the aims of Saudi Vision 2030, which recognises arts and culture as key drivers of economic development, urban growth, and global recognition. For audiences in Venice, this exhibition is more than a display of light; it is a celebration of innovation, creativity, and a city asserting its evolving role on the world stage.
In the Blink of an Eye, from October 19 - November 23, 2025
Venice Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Italy
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@venice.architecture.biennale
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