Diriyah Art Futures Introduces Engaging May Program Featuring New Media Art Activities

Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) has launched a comprehensive program in May, focusing on new media arts. This initiative, the first of its kind in the MENA region, aims to enhance visitors' understanding and engagement with new media art. The program includes professional courses in Arabic and interactive seminars, offering a rich experience for attendees.

The exhibition "Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World" is a highlight of the program. Running until July 19, it showcases over 70 artworks by more than 40 Arab artists. Co-curated by Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis, it delves into the history of new media arts in the Arab world. The term "Maknana," meaning mechanization, reflects how artists have adapted and challenged technology to create unique artistic expressions.

On May 9-10, artist Ahmed El Shaer will lead a masterclass titled "Object Narratives in VR Environments." Participants will explore extended reality using "Oculus" and "Unity," merging real and digital worlds. This workshop examines how objects can gain new meanings within virtual spaces.

Later in the month, on May 23-24, another masterclass titled "The Sound of Place: Exploring the City Through Sound" will be held. Attendees will engage in field listening sessions around Diriyah's historic areas. These sessions aim to explore sound's connection to memory and cultural identity through recordings and exploratory exercises.

Mikey Muhanna, Founder and Executive Director of afikra, will host curators Dr Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis on an afikra podcast. They will discuss the themes of the Maknana exhibition and address new media art practices in the Arab world. The conversation will also cover artists' roles in engaging with technology amid evolving social contexts.

Artist Magdi Mostafa will present a talk titled "Sonic Encounters" on Saturday. He will explore sound as inspiration, material, and outcome through his series "Surface of Spectral Scattering and Transmission Loss" and "Sound Cells." Mostafa's work investigates how sonic concepts influence perception and interact with other mediums.

DAF's Role in New Media Arts

Through these initiatives, DAF solidifies its status as a pioneering center for new media arts from Diriyah's historical heart. It fosters dialogue among artists, technologies, and audiences while promoting Riyadh as a global hub for artistic innovation aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

With inputs from SPA