Diriyah Art Futures (DAF)—the Middle East’s first new media art hub—has opened with a groundbreaking exhibition, a full events calendar, and a launchpad for practitioners at the intersection of art and tech.

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, DAF embodies the Saudi Museums Commission’s commitment to preserving the region’s deep history while advancing innovative artmaking and scholarship.

DAF’s first exhibition, “Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts,” is on view through February 15. Curated by Jérôme Neutres, Ph.D., former executive president of the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris, the show surveys the evolution of computer art from the 1960s to the present, taking visitors on a journey not only through technological advancements but artistic developments as well.

Howard Cohen, Arnolfini-series 1-4, 2-4, 3-4, 4-4 (1983). Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures.

Early plotter drawings by Frieder Nake, Vera Molnár, and Harold Cohen represent the dawn of digital art. Latter-day highlights include Perpetual Codes (2022), a mind-bending digital animation by the Saudi artist Lulwah Al Homoud, and Digital Zelliges (2022), a generative virtual reality installation by Miguel Chevalier that activates DAF’s striking façade.

Miguel Chevalier, Digital Zelliges (2022). Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures.

Among the upcoming events at DAF are a masterclass in creative robotics, an immersive sound performance by Haythem Zakaria, and a talk by Mecca-based artist Khalid bin Afif, who works in media ranging from clay to electronics.

DAF has also announced the first cohort of its yearlong Emerging New Media Artists Programme, which equips early-career creators with leading-edge equipment, mentorship, and a production budget. Participants hail from across the Middle East and North Africa, as well as China and Wales.

Additionally, DAF has issued an open call for their inaugural Mazra’ah Media Art Residency, a three-month opportunity for established artists and scholars commencing in February 2025.

Together, these initiatives position DAF as a champion for both emerging and established artists working with cutting edge technology and on new media-based projects, bringing their work and innovation to an international stage.

Lulwah Al Hopmoud, Perpetual Codes (2022). Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures.

Mona Khazindar, Advisor to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture said, “Diriyah Art Futures embodies our commitment to advancing innovation and nurturing new forms of creative expression. Through this institution, we aim to empower artists and scholars through supporting them to produce significant works and amplifying their voice on the global stage. By creating a platform for collaboration and creativity, Diriyah Art Futures establishes Saudi Arabia as a cultural leader and reaffirms the Kingdom’s vision to nurture artistic expression both locally and internationally.”

DAF Director Haytham Nawar added, “The opening of Diriyah Art Futures represents a milestone in the evolving narrative of New Media Art, bringing regional perspectives to global conversations. DAF will push creative boundaries and serve as a hub for critical engagement and innovation at the intersection of art and technology.”

Opening of “Art Must Be Artificial.” Courtesy of Diriyah Art Futures.

The Diriyah Art Futures inaugural exhibition, “Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts,” runs through February 15, 2025.