A new art show is opening next week in Riyadh’s historic Diriyah district — and it’s not your usual gallery experience. From April 21 to July 19, Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) is back with its second edition, putting the spotlight on the growing connection between technology and creativity in the Arab world.
This year’s exhibition is called “Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World.” The word “Maknana” comes from Arabic and means “automation,” and the show dives into how artists from the region have worked with technology over time — not just using digital tools, but also challenging them in thought-provoking ways.
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Over 40 artists from different parts of the Arab world are taking part. Visitors can expect to see everything from old-school video art and rare archives to cutting-edge digital experiments. The works are grouped into four themes: Automation, Autonomy, Ripples, and Glitch — each offering a different angle on how tech and art have crossed paths.
Artists like Saudi artist Ahmed Mater, British-Palestinian multimedia and installation artist Mona Hatoum, Lebabon-born filmmaker and photographer Akram Zaatari, UAE-born artist and musician Farah Al-Qasimi, and Palestinian artist and filmmaker Emily Jacir are among the standout contributors, along with many others. Whether you’re into visual art, film, or tech-driven installations, there’s plenty to explore.
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But this isn’t just about looking at art on walls. The show includes talks, performances, film screenings, and workshops, offering visitors the chance to dig deeper and get involved. If you’re in Riyadh this spring or summer and looking for something different, Diriyah Art Futures might be the place to start — or even spark your own creative project.
