Diriyah Art Futures, a new hub for new media arts in the region, has officially opened with its inaugural exhibition titled “Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts,” running until February 15. Curated by Jerome Neutres, former director at the Reunion des Musees Nationaux-Grand Palais in Paris, the exhibition features over 30 international and regional artists, tracing the history of computer art from the 1960s to the present day.
Haytham Nawar, Director of Diriyah Art Futures, told Arab News that the art hub is transforming Saudi Arabia into a global center for exchange and discourse in emerging art forms. The exhibition includes works from prominent Saudi artists, such as Lulwah Al-Homoud, Muhannad Shono, and Nasser Al-Shemimry, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing contributions to new media and digital art.
International artists such as Frieder Nake (Germany), Vera Molnar (Hungary/France), along with contemporary innovators like Refik Anadol (Turkey) and Ryoji Ikeda (Japan), also feature in the exhibition. “By placing works from different geographic regions, eras, and mediums side by side, we aim to introduce the region to the vast power of new media art, while showcasing its incredible depth and potential,” said Nawar.
The exhibition invites reflection on the relevance of these themes to Saudi Arabia, where the word “algorithm” originates from the Islamic world, connecting the country’s rich historical contributions to mathematics and technology with contemporary innovations in digital art. This connection is particularly relevant as Saudi Arabia’s youthful and tech-savvy population experiences rapid transformation.
In conjunction with the exhibition’s launch, Diriyah Art Futures is introducing the Emerging New Media Artists Programme, developed in collaboration with Le Fresnoy — Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France. This one-year initiative will provide emerging artists with advanced equipment, mentorship, and funding to create innovative multidisciplinary works. Nawar shared that the program will support a diverse group of emerging artists, selected for their distinct potential, and offer mentorship from world-class professionals.
Additionally, the hub has announced the Mazra’ah Media Art Residency, which will run from February to April next year. This three-month residency will invite established artists and scholars to engage with the hub’s resources, creating works that explore the relationship between nature, technology, and society.
Mona Khazindar, adviser to the Ministry of Culture, emphasized that Diriyah Art Futures is creating a space for diverse perspectives and creative expressions to meet and flourish. “DAF embodies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to facilitating cultural exchange and international collaboration, while creating opportunities for shared learning, innovation, and mutual understanding,” said Khazindar. “Through these efforts, we aim to contribute to the global conversation about the role of culture in shaping a more connected and creative future.”
Developed by the Saudi Museums Commission in partnership with Diriyah Co., Diriyah Art Futures plays a significant role in the global new media and digital art scene by integrating regional voices and pioneering practices in art, technology, and innovation. The launch of Diriyah Art Futures aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s focus on advancing innovation, global collaboration, and positioning the country as a leader in the global creative economy.
