Wadi Hanifah: A Noor Riyadh 2024 Festival Hub Illuminating Art, Nature, and Sustainability

Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni

Wadi Hanifah serves as a key hub for Noor Riyadh 2024, transforming this historic natural landmark into a vibrant canvas for artistic exploration and cultural dialogue. The artworks displayed in this breathtaking valley reflect profound themes of humanity’s connection to nature, sustainability, and the interplay of history and progress.

A Historical and Natural Gem

Wadi Hanifah has long stood as a testament to the coexistence of urban development and environmental preservation. By featuring this iconic site as a festival hub, Noor Riyadh 2024 underscores the importance of protecting our natural heritage while fostering cultural innovation. Installations at Wadi Hanifah evoke sustainability and environmental issues, often highlighting our connection with the Earth.

The valley’s rich history and natural beauty provide a stunning backdrop for a diverse collection of light installations and sculptures by local and international artists, creating a shared space where visitors can reflect on environmental values and the evolving relationship between humans and the Earth.

Featured Artworks and Artists

Saudi Artists:

* Fahad AlNaymah presents Mangiah, a luminous sculptural caravan of camels evoking the spirit of the desert and Saudi heritage.

* Saeed Gamhawi’s Ala Wath Al Nega features 21 illuminated pillars celebrating the unification of Saudi Arabia, symbolizing intergenerational connections.

* Hmoud Alattawi offers Energy of Vision, an interactive installation reflecting human effort in building civilizations, inspired by Riyadh’s future landmarks.

* Nasser Al Turki’s Journey to the Light takes viewers on a contemplative passage through a lit astrolabe-like structure, exploring spiritual enlightenment.

* Saad Al Howede reimagines the historic Trans-Arabian Pipeline with The Tapline, a conceptual light installation reflecting on our dependency on fossil fuels.

International Artists:

* Chris Levine (United Kingdom) presents Light is Love, an immersive light sculpture that uses optical illusions to deliver messages of love and unity.

* Daan Roosegaarde (The Netherlands) brings SPARK, a biodegradable light installation inspired by stars and fireflies, offering an eco-friendly reimagining of fireworks. SPARK runs until December 14, from 8pm to 12am.

* Quiet Ensemble (Italy) dazzles with Solar Dust, an audiovisual work transforming the valley into a celestial realm through light and holographic effects.

A Celebration of Culture and Sustainability

The Wadi Hanifah hub at Noor Riyadh 2024 invites visitors to immerse themselves in a transformative experience that combines artistic brilliance with ecological awareness. By bridging tradition and modernity, these installations serve as a call to action to safeguard our environment while celebrating the beauty and resilience of nature and humanity.

Noor Riyadh launched on November 28 and runs until December 14, with Wadi Hanifah, King Abdulaziz Historical Center, and JAX District (the festival’s main hub) hosting exceptional artworks and events. The festival culminates in a reflection on light’s symbolic power to unite, inspire, and illuminate.

Join us at Wadi Hanifah to experience an extraordinary journey through light, art, and culture at Noor Riyadh festival, open daily from 6 pm to 1 am.

Artist

Country

Artwork title, year

Hub

05.10 Studio

Saudi Arabia

Illuminated Souls

Wadi Hanifah

Anna Ridler

United Kingdom

Circadian Nocturne

Wadi Hanifah

Atelier Sisu

Australia (the studio)

Peru (Renzo B. Larriviere)

Australia (Zara Pasfield)

Evanescent

Wadi Hanifah

Chris Levine

United Kingdom

Light is Love

Wadi Hanifah

Daan Roosegaarde

Netherlands

SPARK

Wadi Hanifah

Ebtesam Saleh

Saudi Arabia

Shabbah

Wadi Hanifah

Fahad Al Naymah

Saudi Arabia

Mangiah

Wadi Hanifah

Hashel Al Lamki

United Arab Emirates

Bronze

Wadi Hanifah

Hmoud Alattawi

Saudi Arabia

Energy of Vision

Wadi Hanifah

Kimchi and Chips

South Korea and United Kingdom

Another Moon

Wadi Hanifah

Ksawery Komputery

Poland

FLUX

Wadi Hanifah

Lachlan Turczan

United States

Aldwa Alsael

Wadi Hanifah

Nasser Al Turki

Saudi Arabia

Journey to the Light

Wadi Hanifah

Quiet Ensemble

Italy

Solar Dust

Wadi Hanifah

Romain Tardy

France

The Great Indecision Council

Wadi Hanifah

Saad Al Howede

Saudi Arabia

The Tapline

Wadi Hanifah

Saeed Gamhawi

Saudi Arabia

Ala Wath Al Nega

Wadi Hanifah

Stanza

United Kingdom

Out of Breath: A-Life Support Machine

Wadi Hanifah

Stefano Cagol

Italy

Najm

Wadi Hanifah

THIRD SPACE* Studio

United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia

From East to West and North to South

Wadi Hanifah

Wadi Hanifa Artwork pictures : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WBZNxrT4RN4vYU-hm2G9sdLAtNvn1dtS?usp=drive_link

Hmoud Alatawi

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H_KHlyrgpz6lKjJAbCHYOx_xjdqviQfF/view?usp=drive_link

Anna Ridler

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wDQqbd1fqyQ_qS502gYtMe1X2pkXqaF5/view?usp=drive_link

Saeed Gamhawi

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pSve3n9EvhLm7Oqvgg2z7l9ME2nX3R8i/view?usp=drive_link

Ebtisam  Saleh

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SU_s1UOkSreuvvEbgfCETGf18HnY1NJi/view?usp=drive_link

Atelier Sisu

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MM4TASY8cfqHwyJxMg1efac588RYTfK6/view?usp=drive_link

Quiet Ensemble

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xp6zQBNAl6px7OaUHyRjt1yfHK2l5QIR/view?usp=drive_link

05.10

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Td3jxdMENIcyteWE8U7VLOuOXUVMJCOp/view?usp=drive_link

Nasser Al Turki

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EanW5D9f0IUbc88BO_leRXnnkMMBtpD3/view?usp=drive_link