Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Mar 24, 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
Trump to Deliver Keynote Address at Saudi-Backed Investment Summit in Miami Beach
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Press Ahead With Energy Agreements Despite Regional Conflict
Can Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Port Replace Hormuz? Capacity Limits Test Critical Oil Lifeline
Saudi Arabia Detects Ballistic Missiles as Regional Tensions Escalate in Gulf
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Arabia and UAE Push Ahead With Major Deals Despite Iran-Related Uncertainty
Formula One Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Pakistan Signals Strategic Realignment Toward Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Shipments to Asia as Regional Conflict Disrupts Key Export Routes
Saudi Arabia Moves to Contain Regional Escalation as Houthis Signal Readiness to Join Conflict
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Egypt Reaffirms Strong Support for Saudi Arabia as Sisi Condemns Iran’s Gulf Attacks
Saudi Stocks Close Higher as Tadawul Index Gains 0.55% on Broad Sector Strength
Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles Toward Riyadh as Gulf Conflict Intensifies
Barcelona Midfielder Marc Casadó Attracts €40 Million Interest from Saudi Clubs
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise as Saudi Arabia Opens Key Air Base to US Forces
Saudi Arabia Confronts Strategic Turning Point as Iran Conflict Redefines Regional Alliances
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile as Two Others Land in Remote Area Without Casualties
Saudi Expulsion of Iranian Military Attaché Raises Doubts Over Fragile Riyadh–Tehran Rapprochement
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic East–West Pipeline Gains Global Attention as Energy Routes Face Growing Risks
Iran Reportedly Reduces Strikes on Saudi Arabia Amid Concerns Over Strong Retaliation
Saudi Arabia Criticises Israeli Strikes in Southern Syria Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Saudi Arabia Unveils Comprehensive 2026 Roadmap to Streamline Company Formation
Saudi-UAE Tensions Reveal Emerging Rivalry at the Heart of Gulf Power Dynamics
Saudi Arabia Launches Gulf Maritime Support Initiative to Safeguard Shipping
Saudi Arabia Expands US Military Access as UAE Braces for Prolonged Iran Conflict
Saudi Arabia Expels Iranian Diplomats Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia’s Edarat Wins Major Data Centre Deal with Regional Bank
Iran Intensifies Gulf Offensive as Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones
Regional Powers Hold Security Talks as Turkey Seeks New Strategic Pact
Asian Refiners Urge Saudi Arabia to Revise Oil Pricing Mechanism Amid War-Driven Volatility
Gulf States Weigh US Base Access and Military Alignment as Iran War Intensifies
IRGC Claims Strikes on Israel, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as Conflict Widens
Remains of Fallen Soldier Repatriated Following Death in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Drones Amid Continued Iranian-Linked Attacks
Iran Tensions Challenge Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Shift to Red Sea Oil Exports
Saudi Arabia Turns to Alternative Export Routes as Hormuz Disruption Strains Oil Flows
Saudi Arabia and UAE Move Closer to Backing US-Israeli Campaign Against Iran
Saudi Arabia Signals Readiness for Military Response as Iran Tensions Escalate
Saudi Arabia Warns Oil Could Surge Beyond $180 as Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Supply
Saudi Arabia Reports Drone Strike on Key Red Sea Refinery in Yanbu
United States Urges Citizens to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Regional Conflict
Former Media Executive Chronicles Rise of Saudi Crown Prince in New Book
Saudi Aramco–Exxon Refinery in Yanbu Targeted in Latest Wave of Iranian Attacks
Greek-Operated Patriot System Intercepts Iranian Missiles Over Saudi Arabia
Asian Refiners Urge Saudi Arabia to Revise Oil Pricing as War Upends Markets
×