Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026

Vertical Horizon artwork of Noor Riyadh connects historical cities of Riyadh and Rome

Noor Riyadh, one of the most exciting and ambitious festivals of light and art in the world, is to feature a light installation that connects the two historical cities of Riyadh and Rome.

Vertical Horizon is an interactive piece by Quiet Ensemble — founded in 2009 by Fabio di Salvo and Bernardo Vercelli — that revolves around a system of cameras and microphones set up around two light and video installations.

One is set up in King Abdullah Park in Riyadh, the other in Rome.

Nouf AlMoneef, the Noor Riyadh program manager, said: “In this interactive and interconnective work, Vertical Horizon turns Riyadh into the epicenter of this new artistic installation, making Noor Riyadh both a global compass and a conductor of what happens in other parts of the world.

“The installations will broadcast an abstracted livestream of the area around the site, so that visitors in the Saudi capital can see those in the Italian capital, and vice versa.”

Broadcasts of this incredibly thoughtful piece of work will be shown every evening from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. until the close of the Noor Riyadh festival on Sunday, Nov. 19.

Vertical Horizon is one of over 190 incredible artworks — and more than 500 fascinating activities — taking place at the second edition of Noor Riyadh, held under the theme ‘We Dream of New Horizons’.

Among them are the incredible artworks situated in the beautiful desert dunes outside Riyadh entitled OASIS by Arne Quinze, and AXION by Christopher Bauder.

Belgian conceptual artist Quinze’s 16-meter-high installation, spanning 40 meters in width, places observers in an open-air museum where public art seems larger than life.

The power of colors is strongly reflected in this aluminum light installation, which makes a clear statement that the effervescence of all spectrums of light is needed in our society.

AXION by German artist Bauder, meanwhile, explores the ultimate horizon: outer space. Created specifically for deserts and other dusty environments, AXION’S sprawling array of mirrors and spherical objects makes it look like a giant scientific device for space exploration or particle detection.

But once inside, it is a reflection on the potential of axions — a hypothetical elementary particle — dark matter, and the idea of the unknown.

But what most certainly is known at Noor Riyadh is the abundance of artistic choices on offer.

The comprehensive public program includes 10 live music performances scheduled throughout the festival’s duration. The music series can be heard at King Abdullah Park, and tickets can be booked free of charge on NoorRiyadh.sa.

Engaging guided tours of the five hubs — King Abdullah Park, Salam Park, Diplomatic Quarter, JAX District, and KAFD — are another way to immerse oneselves in Noor Riyadh.

Each tour will delve into the stories behind impressive artworks, including Amplexus by Grimanesa Amoros and Flightgraf’s immersive An Imaginative World.

Workshops are key components as well, with architecture, illumination, and calligraphy opportunities all on offer. Participants can venture into performance art, experiment with photographic and video techniques, and learn how to make their own camera obscura.

Elsewhere, creative experiences such as artist-led tours, an artistic hunt, and even a four-day collaborative installation activity are also available.

Talks and panel discussions in both Arabic and English will take place throughout the festival, with topics ranging from technology in art, lucid dreaming, meditative practices, and Noor Riyadh’s curatorial themes.

Family activities — encouraging young ones to delve into the enriching world of art as much as possible — are a big part of Noor Riyadh. Specific activities for children to learn and develop include Rainbows, Magnetic Marvels and We Light Riyadh.

Most of the outdoor citywide artworks for Noor Riyadh, which takes place across five main city hubs and 40 locations in the Saudi capital, are non-ticketed and open to all.

However, some artworks require prior booking. Special activities such as workshops and talks may be ticketed with a nominal charge. Noor Riyadh aims to donate all the funds raised through ticket sales to charitable causes.

The full program and tickets are available soon on Noor Riyadh’s website and app.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Declares 2026 ‘Year of Artificial Intelligence’ in Major Push for Data-Driven Economy
Saudi Arabia’s 2018 Budget Signals Strong Push for Non-Oil Economic Growth
Pakistan Envoy in Riyadh Says Regional Diplomacy Intensifying to Prevent Wider Middle East War
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones as Regional Strikes Kill Two in Oman
Saudi Arabia Redirects Oil Exports to Red Sea Ports as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile and Drone Barrage as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Iran Expands Drone and Missile Campaign Across Gulf as Conflict With US and Israel Intensifies
Muslims Worldwide Await Saudi Moon Sighting to Confirm Eid al-Fitr 2026 Date
F1 Calendar Faces Major Disruption as Middle East Conflict Threatens Bahrain and Saudi Races
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Saudi Arabia Slashes Oil Output as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Cuts Deep Into Gulf Revenues
Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Scene Presses Ahead as Nation Navigates Regional War
Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact Faces Real-World Constraints as Iran War Escalates
Saudi Arabia Offers Two Million Barrels of Crude From Red Sea as War Disrupts Gulf Exports
Formula One Faces Tens of Millions in Lost Revenue if Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Races Are Cancelled
Formula One Set to Cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Amid Escalating Middle East War
Saudi Arabia Downs Dozens of Iranian Drones in Major Defensive Operation
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Output by About Twenty Percent as Iran War Disrupts Gulf Energy Flows
Formula One Set to Cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Amid Escalating Iran War
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Saudi Arabia Launches Royal Institute of Anthropology to Examine Social Transformation
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Arrives in Saudi Arabia for High-Level Talks
Saudi Aramco Turns to Ukrainian Drone Interceptors to Shield Oil Infrastructure from Iranian Threats
UK Foreign Secretary Travels to Saudi Arabia to Reinforce Support for Regional Allies
Rising Iran Conflict Casts Shadow Over Saudi Arabia’s $38 Billion Gaming Industry Ambitions
Iran Launches Missile and Drone Strikes Across Gulf as Oil Prices Surge Past $100
Saudi Air Defences Destroy Three Drones Targeting Strategic Shaybah Oil Field
Debate Grows Over Saudi Arabia’s Role in Sudan War Amid US Alliance Questions
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Travels to Saudi Arabia After Discussions With Iranian Leadership
Two Strategic Pipelines Allow Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Bypass the Strait of Hormuz
US Deploys Bunker-Buster Bombs to UK Airbase as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Iran warns of $200 oil as forces target merchant ships in Gulf
Japan to Release 45 Days of Oil Reserves Amid Iran Conflict
Saudi Red Sea Oil Exports Set for Record in March as Kingdom Reroutes Crude Amid Hormuz Crisis
Saudi Arabia Seeks Belgian Military Support After Iranian Missile Attacks
Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Decision to Designate Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organisation
Saudi Aramco Plans Dual Gulf and Red Sea Export Routes as Iran Crisis Disrupts Oil Shipments
Saudi Cabinet Condemns Iranian Attacks and Reaffirms Kingdom’s Right to Defend Its Sovereignty
Ukraine Deploys Counter-Drone Teams to Gulf States as Iranian Drone Threat Expands
Bahrain Grand Prix Faces Uncertainty as Saudi Arabia Works to Keep Formula One Race on Track
Saudi Arabia Faces New Strategic Dilemma in Yemen as Regional War Reshapes Calculations
OPEC Confirms Saudi-Led Oil Output Increase as Iran War Disrupts Global Energy Markets
Pakistan Pledges Rapid Support for Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Global Energy Agency Announces Record Release of 400 Million Barrels to Stabilize Oil Markets Amid Hormuz Disruption
Aramco Warns Global Oil Market Faces ‘Catastrophic’ Shock if Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed
Iran Launches Drone and Missile Attacks Across Gulf Targets Including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain
×