Desert X AlUla 2024: Contemporary Art Amidst Ancient Landscapes

Desert X AlUla 2024, an art exhibition set in the vast AlUla desert, invites visitors to explore contemporary art amidst ancient landscapes. Running from February 9th to March 23rd, this event transforms north-west Saudi Arabia into a globally renowned art space, with the theme ‘In the Presence of Absence.’ Led by artistic directors Raneem Farsi and Neville Wakefield, along with curators Maya El Khalil and Marcello Dantas, the exhibition features 15 newly commissioned works that challenge viewers to look beyond the visible.

The event, part of the AlUla Arts Festival, is more than an exhibition; it’s a journey through time. Artworks serve as waypoints to hidden stories, offering a platform for cultural exchange and public engagement. Desert X AlUla redefines the desert as a place of creative revelation, bridging art, nature, and heritage.

For the first time, Desert X AlUla 2024 expands across three locations: Harrat Uwayrid, AlManshiyah Plaza, and Wadi AlFann. Artists use these landscapes to explore themes of ecological change, history, and human connection. The installations, including works by Sara Alissa, Nojoud Alsudairi, Rana Haddad, Pascal Hachem, Kimsooja, Kader Attia, and Ibrahim Mahama, engage with the desert’s stories in unique ways.

Sara Alissa and Nojoud Alsudairi’s work, “Invisible Possibilities: When the Earth Began to Look at Itself,” invites viewers to reflect on AlUla’s land. Rana Haddad and Pascal Hachem’s “Reveries” pays homage to AlUla’s crafts through earth jars. Kimsooja’s “To Breathe – AlUla” mesmerizes with iridescent walls, while Kader Attia’s “Whistleblower” uses glass bottles to evoke environmental concerns. Ibrahim Mahama’s installations, scattered across the desert, meditate on history and potential.

Desert X AlUla 2024 goes beyond art; it’s a catalyst for cultural exchange and community development. The exhibition includes educational programs and workshops, engaging the local community and visitors. It aligns with the Royal Commission’s strategy to preserve AlUla’s heritage and promote its development as an arts center.

Since its inception, Desert X AlUla has left a lasting impact, attracting visitors worldwide and enriching the cultural landscape. In 2024, it continues to build on its legacy, offering a transformative journey that connects historical civilizations with modern societies. It challenges attendees to rethink time, memory, and place, showcasing art’s power to transcend boundaries and unite cultures.

Desert X AlUla 2024 is more than an exhibition; it’s a dialogue with the land, a journey through time, and an exploration of human imagination. It stands as a testament to art’s ability to inspire and unite, offering a profound experience in the heart of the desert.