Desert X AlUla is back after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Riyadh loves art so it is a happy return for the free event. The international art exhibition puts works against the breath-taking landscape of AlUla.
Curated by Reem Fadda, Raneem Farsi and Neville Wakefield, this year’s theme is Sarab which explores ideas of mirages and the oasis, which is part of desert culture. Participating artists will explore the concepts via mediums like camouflage, fiction, dis/appearance, extraction, illusion and myth, and more.
There’s so much to see. Wondering where to begin? We’re bringing you the rundown of the must-see exhibits at Desert X AlUla.
Abdullah Othman’s Geography of Hope
Abdullah Othman says: “The mirage brought up hope in the souls of desert travellers, taught them patience, and gave them the luxury of dreaming, as water-like mirage tricks their minds so they would stimulate steps and have enough determination to reach their destination.” This piece radiates the hope experienced by those whose livelihood depended on it.
Dana Awartani’s Where The Dwellers Lay
Dana Awartani’s masterpiece takes inspiration from the architecture of AlUla. The concave geometric shape is a reference to Nabataean tombs and the artwork also mimics the surrounding rock formations and the landscape, too.
Shadia Alem’s I Have Seen Thousands of Stars and One Fell in AlUla
This beautiful piece explores the Arabian desert’s literature, mathematics and mythology by applying the art of origami, and the basic principles of geometry. Set against the glorious AlUla landscape, this is one of the most striking exhibits showing right now because of inky colours.
Stephanie Deumer’s Under One Sun
For her part, Deumer has come up with an amazing underground greenhouse. It’s made of a large puddle-shaped array of solar panels mounted flush with the desert floor, creating an energy feedback loop where the energy of the sun is captured, stored and transformed through photosynthesis into growth and transformation.
Sultan Bin Fahad’s Desert Kite
Sultan’s mud structure is shaped like a desert kite, with mirrors on the façade to create the look of a mirage. Furthermore, it houses an urn-like sculpture embossed with four protective symbols traditionally used in Nabatean tombs.
Free. Until Wed Mar 30. desertx.org.
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