Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) has launched its first-ever exhibition, Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts, open to the public until 15 February 2025. This milestone marks the debut of the first New Media Art hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a project spearheaded by the Museums Commission under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture.
DAF aims to equip the next generation of artists, technologists, and scholars with the tools to tackle emerging creative challenges and reshape the artistic landscape.
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The exhibition, curated by Jérôme Neutres, formerly of the Réunion des Musées Nationaux–Grand Palais in Paris, dives into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital creativity. Featuring over 30 regional and international artists, the showcase offers an insightful journey through the evolution of computer art, spanning from its experimental beginnings in the 1960s to cutting-edge AI-driven works today.
Art Must Be Artificial highlights the contributions of local and regional artists, celebrating the artistic spirit in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. Among the featured Saudi artists are:
- Lulwah Alhomoud, celebrated for her geometric explorations.
- Muhannad Shono, known for his narrative-driven works.
- Nasser Alshemimry (DesertFish), whose creations blend visual storytelling with digital innovation.
- Daniah Al Saleh, whose projects engage deeply with abstraction and digital forms.
The exhibition also includes notable names from the region, such as VJ Um Amel (Laila Shereen Sakr) from Egypt/US, blending media to create immersive audiovisual experiences, and Haythem Zakaria from Tunisia, pushing the boundaries of robotic art and digital installations.
Beyond its visually compelling displays, Diriyah Art Futures offers an engaging public program to deepen the visitor experience. Attendees can participate in masterclasses with leading experts, workshops exploring AI and digital techniques, and attend talks and performances connecting audiences to the minds behind the art.