Titled Maknana, this exhibition will shine a spotlight on the use of technology in art.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been making waves on all fronts, and this is especially true of the creative sector. Cementing its place as a global leader in this space, the Kingdom has just unveiled the return of Diriyah Art Futures.
Taking place in Riyadh’s Diriyah district, from 21 April to 19 July, Diriyah Art Futures is back with a second exhibition. Titled Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World, this exhibition will shine a spotlight on how technology in art is now becoming a part of creative expression.
The exhibition, co-curated by artists and curators Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis, is called Maknana, which translates to automation. It’s all about exploring how Arab artists have engaged with technology — not just by using it, but also by questioning it to say something powerful and personal. Split into four sections — Automation, Autonomy, Ripples, and Glitch — the exhibition will trace trends and tech experiments across generations and borders.
Maknana at Diriyah Arts Futures will feature over 40 artists from across the region. Here, you’ll find everything from vintage video art and archival pieces to new digital experiments. Some names to look out for include Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono, Emily Jacir, Mona Hatoum, Akram Zaatari, Hassan Meer, Hicham Berrada and Farah Al-Qasimi to name a few.
In addition to artworks, Diriyah Art Futures is serving up a full cultural experience. Here, you can enjoy talks, live performances, film screenings, and hands-on workshops. So, if you’re on the hunt for something artsy and inspiring to do in Riyadh this summer, make sure Diriyah Art Futures is on your list. You never know, it might just spark your next big idea.
GO: Visit https://daf.moc.gov.sa for more information.