Diriyah Art Futures January Weekend Programs Blend Art and Technology

The Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) center in Riyadh is hosting a series of weekend programs throughout January 2025, as part of its inaugural exhibition, Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts. The events, which include performances, talks, and professional workshops, are designed to explore the intersection of art, science, and technology, and are scheduled to run through February 15, 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Context and Background

Established by the Saudi Museums Commission, Diriyah Art Futures serves as a pioneering hub for art, research, and education in the Middle East and North Africa. As the first institution in the region focused on new media and digital arts, DAF aims to enrich Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape and position the Kingdom as a global leader in digital creativity. The January programs build on the center’s mission to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and spotlight regional artists in the global dialogue on art and technology.

Key Details

The program commenced on January 3 with a talk titled Cartographies of a Future, where ScanLAB Projects demonstrated the use of 3D scanning to transcend traditional photography, exploring innovative methods to capture and preserve memory. The session concluded with screenings of Post-Lenticular Landscapes and Replica-real-Replica. On January 4, attendees experienced Echos II, a sound performance incorporating field recordings from nature and the Tunisian Atlas, alongside a talk titled Raw Material, which examined humanity’s connection to nature. On January 17, a discussion titled Creative Convergences: The Intersections Between Art and Science will explore artworks involving genetically modified materials, biomedia, robotics, and augmented reality. The center also offers hands-on workshops, including Memory in Three Dimensions on January 3-4, Creative Photogrammetry and Academy of Neglected Material on January 17-18, a three-day workshop on Cultural Totems: Sculpting Saudi Heritage with 3D Printing from January 30 to February 1, and Unpacking Midjourney on January 31 and February 1, focusing on generative AI art.

Implications and Impact

These weekend programs are part of a broader Saudi cultural push under Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and promote cultural engagement. By hosting international artists and offering public workshops, Diriyah Art Futures enhances the Kingdom’s soft power and attracts global creative talent. The focus on new media and digital arts positions Saudi Arabia as a forward-thinking destination for cultural tourism and innovation, contributing to regional and international art discourse.

20 Questions

Q1. What is Diriyah Art Futures?

A1. Diriyah Art Futures is a center for new media and digital arts in Riyadh, established by the Saudi Museums Commission, focusing on the intersection of art, science, and technology.

Q2. When did the January programs begin?

A2. The January programs began on January 3, 2025, with a talk and workshops, as part of the ongoing inaugural exhibition at Diriyah Art Futures.

Q3. What is the inaugural exhibition at DAF?

A3. The inaugural exhibition is titled Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts, running through February 15, 2025.

Q4. Who organized the talk Cartographies of a Future?

A4. The talk Cartographies of a Future was led by ScanLAB Projects, showcasing 3D scanning techniques for memory preservation.

Q5. What is Echo II?

A5. Echo II is a sound performance that uses field recordings from nature and the Tunisian Atlas, presented at Diriyah Art Futures on January 4.

Q6. What is Raw Material about?

A6. Raw Material is a talk that examined humanity’s connection to nature and the value of Earth’s resources, held on January 4.

Q7. When is the Creative Convergences talk?

A7. Creative Convergences will take place on January 17, exploring intersections between art and science, including robotics and augmented reality.

Q8. What workshops were held on January 3-4?

A8. The workshop Memory in Three Dimensions was held on January 3-4, focusing on 3D scanning and human memory.

Q9. What is Creative Photogrammetry?

A9. Creative Photogrammetry is a workshop on January 17-18 that teaches participants to create 3D virtual models from images.

Q10. What is the Academy of Neglected Material?

A10. It is a workshop on January 17-18 focusing on sustainable art practices, transforming discarded materials into art projects.

Q11. What is the Cultural Totems workshop?

A11. Cultural Totems is a three-day workshop from January 30 to February 1, exploring Saudi culture and heritage through 3D printing.

Q12. When is the Unpacking Midjourney workshop?

A12. Unpacking Midjourney is scheduled for January 31 and February 1, focusing on generative AI art using the Midjourney platform.

Q13. Who established Diriyah Art Futures?

A13. Diriyah Art Futures was established by the Saudi Museums Commission as part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural development.

Q14. What is unique about DAF in the region?

A14. DAF is the first institution in the Middle East and North Africa to focus on new media and digital arts.

Q15. What is the mission of Diriyah Art Futures?

A15. Its mission is to enrich Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape and position the Kingdom as a global leader in digital arts.

Q16. How does DAF support artists?

A16. DAF invites artists and researchers to participate in public events, educational programs, and residency opportunities.

Q17. What is the theme of the January programs?

A17. The programs explore the intersection of art, science, and technology, with a focus on AI and new media.

Q18. How long will the initial exhibition last?

A18. The inaugural exhibition, Art Must Be Artificial, will run until February 15, 2025.

Q19. What technologies are featured in the talks?

A19. Technologies include 3D scanning, generative AI, robotics, data visualization, and augmented reality.

Q20. How do these events align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A20. The events support Vision 2030 by promoting cultural engagement, economic diversification, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global cultural hub.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The weekend programs at Diriyah Art Futures directly support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by fostering cultural enrichment, innovation, and international collaboration. As the Kingdom diversifies its economy and enhances its global cultural standing, initiatives like these position Saudi Arabia as a leader in new media and digital arts. By engaging local and international audiences, DAF contributes to a vibrant creative ecosystem that aligns with the Kingdom’s long-term goals of sustainable development and global cultural leadership.

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