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Saudi Arabia’s creative landscape is about to be transformed with the inaugural exhibition at Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the Middle East and North Africa region’s first hub dedicated to New Media Arts.

From November 26, 2024, to February 15, 2025, ‘Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts’ will delve into the intersections of art and technology, bringing together a rare assembly of works by over 30 trailblazing international and regional artists.

Curated by the distinguished Jérôme Neutres, former director of Paris’s Réunion des Musées Nationaux-Grand Palais, the exhibition promises a compelling journey through the evolution of computer and algorithmic art—from its foundational pioneers to contemporary visionaries redefining creativity in the digital age.

Diriyah Art Futures Residency Program 2

The Artists: A Convergence of Past and Future

The exhibition spans a historical and geographical spectrum of artistic innovation. Legendary figures such as Frieder Nake, Vera Molnar, Harold Cohen, and Manfred Mohr, who laid the groundwork for computational art, will share the stage with contemporary luminaries like Refik Anadol, Ryoji Ikeda, and Miguel Chevalier. These artists employ artificial intelligence and digital landscapes to expand the possibilities of artistic expression.

Adding a regional dimension to the dialogue, the exhibition will feature groundbreaking works by Saudi artists Lulwah Alhomoud, Muhannad Shono, Nasser Alshemimry (DesertFish), and Daniah Al Saleh. Their creations, ranging from geometric abstraction to digital installations, highlight Saudi Arabia’s role as a burgeoning centre for innovation and creativity.

Other notable contributors include MENA-region artists VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) and Haythem Zakaria, whose pieces explore cultural identity through a technological lens. Experimental innovators such as Quayola, Anna Ridler, and aaajiao bring contemporary AI-driven perspectives to the fore, offering a comprehensive examination of how algorithms shape visual storytelling.

A Cultural and Technological Connection

‘Art Must Be Artificial’ positions itself not only as an artistic exhibition but as a broader cultural dialogue.

The setting in Saudi Arabia, a country with deep historical ties to the origins of algorithms and a youthful, tech-savvy population, provides fertile ground for exploring the relationship between art and technology. The exhibition’s underlying theme emphasises the transformational role of AI in art, where artists transition from mere creators to architects of an increasingly digitised future.

“The exhibition is a celebration of how art, fuelled by AI and computation, can push boundaries and reimagine creativity,” says curator Jérôme Neutres. “It’s a dialogue between the pioneers of yesterday and the visionaries of today, with Saudi Arabia at the forefront of this cultural evolution.”

Beyond the Exhibition

Diriyah Art Futures Exhibition 2

DAF’s programming ensures an immersive experience for visitors, with panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and guided tours featuring prominent artists and scholars. These events aim to deepen the audience’s understanding of New Media Art and foster meaningful engagement with cutting-edge artistic practices.

Tickets for the exhibition and public programming are now available on the Diriyah Art Futures website, inviting art enthusiasts, technology lovers, and curious minds alike to explore this extraordinary convergence of heritage and innovation.

As Saudi Arabia solidifies its position as a cultural leader in the region, ‘Art Must Be Artificial’ sets the stage for a reimagined future of art—one where tradition meets technology and the possibilities are endless.

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF)
From November 26, 2024, to February 15, 2025
@dafmoc

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