Saudi capital hosts illuminating artworks at Noor Riyadh 

Saudi capital hosts illuminating artworks at Noor Riyadh 
Dozens of light-based artworks — from large-scale installations to animated video art — created by around 100 artists from across the world are on display in five public areas. (Supplied)
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Updated 14 December 2023
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Saudi capital hosts illuminating artworks at Noor Riyadh 

Saudi capital hosts illuminating artworks at Noor Riyadh 
  • Seven Saudi artists featured in the light-art exhibition discuss their work 

RIYADH: “Light is the new ink,” claims UK-based art expert Neville Wakefield, one of the curators of Noor Riyadh, billed as the world’s largest light art festival, which runs in the Saudi capital until Dec. 16.  

From fiber optics to artificial intelligence and mobile screens, light, in Wakefield’s opinion, has become a vital tool for modern communication, technology and expression. “The previous century was really defined by print and the written word. This century is defined by light. It is how we write ourselves into the world,” he told Arab News.  

Dozens of light-based artworks — from large-scale installations to animated video art — created by around 100 artists from across the world are on display in five public areas, including JAX District and Wadi Namar, in the city, making it an accessible event enjoyed by adults and children. The artists explore a wide variety of themes, including identity, politics, poetry, nature and connectivity.  

“With light, you can create something that’s ephemeral and effectively leaves no trace,” says Wakefield. “Light art has always had its moment.”  

Here, seven Saudi artists tell Arab News about the inspiration behind their works at the festival.  

Hana Almilli 

Through her textile installation piece “Journey Through the Ripples of the Sand,” Almilli invites the viewer into “a realm of contemplation and introspection,” comprised of a cocoon with illuminated hanging fabrics, accompanied by an auditory element, with a poem being recited in the middle of a valley, Wadi Namar. Walking through the space is meant to represent a “journey that evokes a sense of conclusion to feelings of alienation, leading to a realization that we are not alone — we are all woven from the same fabric of the sand above and below the earth,” Almilli said. The installation’s maze-like construction is based on “the dance of plants in the desert, echoing the unity and harmony found in nature and within us,” she added.  

Abdelrahman Elshahed 

A trained calligrapher, Elshahed’s wall-based sculpture is decorated with the words, “Light Upon Light” (in Arabic). It is presented in an abstract, topsy-turvy form, but the calligraphy is based on the “thuluth” style, one of the oldest scripts in Arabic writing.  

“What’s beautiful about the formation that I made is that the writing can be read from all sides,” Elshahed explained. “Arabic is usually read from right to left. I tried in this piece to make the writing legible from left to right, right to left, upwards and downwards, and downwards and upwards.” The piece subtly changes color, mostly in neon tones, giving a soothing effect. “In our daily lives, we see many colors, but they have one single source: Light,” he said.  

Nawaf Alkuhaimi 

Alkuhaimi is actually a full-time physician specializing in ophthalmology. This has impacted “Chromalusion,” his sculptural work for Noor Riyadh, which acts like an optical illusion. The dominant colors are red, white, and green — associated with eye tests. Alkuhaimi placed two mirrors at an angle on a mirrored floor to generate a kind of infinity illusion. “Normally, with mirrors at home, they reflect your own mirror-image. But with these mirrors, you see how people see you in daily life,” explained Alkuhaimi. The piece deliberately creates an unsettling feeling for the viewer, pushing them to be “honest with themselves.” There’s a metaphorical element to Alkuhaimi’s piece: “I would like to invite anyone who sees this project to reimagine themselves — reconsider their steps, dreams, and aspirations,” he said.  

Ayman Yossri Daydban 

Daydban, who is of Palestinian heritage and resides in Jeddah, showcases a massive wooden “Tree House,” which is part of an ongoing material experimentation for the artist. The structure’s two walls and ceiling are carved with many curious symbols, inviting light into its interior and creating a bedazzling effect. According to a statement published by the festival, the site-specific installation — which Daydban started working on in 2019 — “deconstructs stereotypical narrative related to cultural heritage and identity, as well as the Middle East’s historical relation to Western colonial powers.” 

Badiya Studio 

Badiya Studio’s “Symphony of Light,” as the name suggests, combines sound and light in an immersive performance art piece. In a darkened room illuminated only by strips of fast-moving lights, a trio of folklore musicians beat on traditional drums known as ‘zeer,’ triggering the light displays. Along with “synthesizing traditional music with cutting-edge technology,” a main purpose of this memorable performance is to “celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia,” according to an Instragram post from Badiya Studio (Mohammed Al-Hamdan and Mohamed Al-Kindi). The trio performed during the event’s opening weekend, but now visitors can take up the drums themselves and generate their own displays.  

Sara AlMutlaq 

It took a team of seven individuals working over a period of seven days (10 hours per day), to put together AlMutlaq’s conceptual, wire-heavy artwork “Do we ever really remember the same?” According to AlMutlaq, this piece “questions the memories our minds decide to collect, categorize and archive.” Acting as a “command center of our brains,” this circular installation, which somewhat resembles a map of the world, is made of fiber-optic wires, a mirror, and LED lights. “The attentive viewer will find that the wire is bent, twisted and bolted to tell a story of the relationship between memory and identity through time,” she said. The work also addresses the rapid change Saudi is going through: “How can we be kind to the memories our fathers and grandfathers left behind?”  

Sultan Bin Fahad 

For his installation “V151ONS,” Bin Fahad took inspiration from the past and the future. The exterior of the ‘building’ resembles a traditional mud house, but inside it there are kaleidoscopic lights in a futuristic trapezoid structure made of stained-glass lightboxes viewable through a rectangular opening. “It’s straight out of a science-fiction novel,” said Bin Fahad. The work explores “themes of time and resonant symbols of Saudi identity put through a prism of ideas,” he added. Those symbols include intersecting swords, palm trees and flowers. Bin Fahad hopes his work will allow the audience “to take away a meaningful understanding of Saudi culture and our constant evolution.” 


Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark

Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark
Updated 04 December 2024
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Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark

Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark
  • Founded in 1948, Bundoo Khan Restaurant is a mainstay for politicians, celebrities, and residents of the port city
  • Eatery first gained prominence when its barbeque caught the eye of ex-president Ayub Khan at a local exhibition

KARACHI: For over seven decades, the Bundoo Khan Restaurant has been a culinary landmark in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, delighting generations of food lovers with its signature kebabs, sizzling chicken tikkas and crunchy parathas.
Founded in 1948 by Al Hajj Bundoo Khan, a migrant from Meerut in present day India, the restaurant began as a humble barbecue stall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, then known as Bandar Road, using family recipes passed down from a maternal uncle.
While the eatery was a hit from the beginning, it gained visibility when its innovative approach to grilling and marinating caught the eye of General Ayub Khan, who served as the president of Pakistan from 1958 until his resignation in 1969. Becoming a favorite of the president turned the small eatery into the talk of the town, and it began to draw large crowds from all walks of life.
“My father can be called the founder of barbecue [in Karachi],” Akber Bundoo Khan, the founder’s 62-year-old son, told Arab News. 
“No one knew how to make tikka [like him], how kebabs were made, how parathas were made or how halwa was made.”
Indeed, barbeque has become synonymous with the Bundoo Khan name in Karachi, cementing its reputation as a must-visit destination for the city’s residents and a gathering place for politicians, government officials, actors and singers.
“This brand has been around for 76 years,” said Waqar Mehmood, Bundoo Khan’s grandson who oversees a branch in the city’s Sindhi Muslim area.
“When we first set up an exhibition [during the first few decades], the first person to visit was [Pakistan’s former president] Ayub Khan who gave us the first prize and a gold medal for our barbecue.”
Mehmood spoke about visits to the restaurant by General Ayub Khan’s family, as well as Pakistan’s former first lady Ranaa Liaquat Ali Khan, ex-premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the now jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Legendary Pakistani actors like Muhammad Ali, Zeba and Waheed Murad were also loyal patrons and iconic singer Noor Jehan continued to request Bundoo Khan’s food until her last days before she passed away in 2000.
“Every day, I would personally take her double-spiced chicken tikka and six kebabs to the hospital,” he said.
The restaurant’s influence has also been immortalized in Pakistani music, with songs like Ahmed Rushdi’s 1954 hit “Bandar Road Se Keamari” and Mehdi Hassan’s 1977 track “Makhan Jesi Larki,” both mentioning the eatery.
Pakistani TV and film actor Behroze Sabzwari recalled childhood memories of visiting the original branch on MA Jinnah Road and meeting the restaurant’s founder, who passed away in 1987 at the age of 105.
“I lived and grew up in the area right behind the Bundoo Khan [Restaurant] in Jacob Line,” he told Arab News. “It wasn’t much, but you could get tikka for just 10 or 15 rupees [$0.05] and everything else as well. And believe me, the taste from those days of that halwa, that tikka, those kebabs, that paratha still lingers with me to this day.”
Asad Sohail, an engineer and regular customer, also recalled visiting Bundoo Khan as a child with his father and grandfather, saying dinner at the restaurant was a must after a night out at the movies.
“We used to come here with my grandfather, wearing shorts, when we were little. Then, as kids, we came with our father,” he said.
“Their barbecue, I haven’t tasted anything like it anywhere in Pakistan. It’s truly unique. Their kebabs are so tender, the marination is perfect, and the tikka, what can I say? It’s completely different from anything else.”
Today, while the restaurant keeps attracting new customers at all its branches in Karachi and across Pakistan as well as in Dubai and Madinah, the first branch on MA Jinnah Road has seen a decline in clients in recent years due to a rise in crime in the area. 
Still, Akber Bundoo Khan’s son insists the original location will never shut down.
“This is our asset,” he said. “The flavor that started here has spread all over the world. It’s because of this taste that we’re famous ... Our identity, our entire legacy, has been built from here.”


Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity

Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity
Updated 03 December 2024
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Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity

Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity
  • Masterpieces transform the daily commute into a celebration of art, architecture and creativity
  • Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has seamlessly integrated art into the urban fabric

RIYADH: Riyadh Art, one of the world’s largest public art programs, has unveiled four monumental public artworks with the launch of the Riyadh Metro, transforming stations into cultural landmarks.

At the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station, designed by the internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, Alexander Calder’s “Janey Waney” takes center stage.

The lofty and colorful sculpture exemplifies Calder’s pioneering spirit in kinetic art, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors.

Nearby, Robert Indiana’s “LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside)” — one of the world’s most recognizable artworks — captivates visitors with its vibrant interplay of color and universal themes of connection and hope.

Together, these masterpieces transform the daily commute into a celebration of art, architecture and creativity.

At the Qasr Al-Hokm Downtown Metro Station, designed by the renowned architectural firm Snohetta, Ugo Rondinone’s “The Sun” makes a striking golden centerpiece, symbolizing energy and renewal.

Complementing this is Zaman Jassim’s “When the Moon is Full,” a reflective and poetic piece inspired by Riyadh’s cultural heritage.

“These permanent artworks embody our vision of transforming Riyadh into an open-air gallery that enriches the quality of life and fosters a deeper connection between people and art,” said architect Khalid Al-Hazani, executive director of Riyadh Art.

“By collaborating with some of the most creative minds of our time, we’re not just adding art to public spaces — we’re creating cultural landmarks that inspire and engage generations,” he added.

Al-Hazani told Arab News: “The beautiful thing is that there is a specialized program under Riyadh Art dedicated to installing artworks in all 85 stations that we’ve already selected, which will be produced and placed within the upcoming year.”

Led by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Riyadh Art is championing cultural innovation and economic diversification, and positioning the Kingdom’s capital as a global center for contemporary art and culture.

Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has seamlessly integrated art into the urban fabric, displaying over 500 artworks by more than 500 local and international artists, hosting more than 6,000 community engagement activities, and engaging more than 6 million visitors.

As the program continues to expand, the number of artworks and initiatives is expected to grow significantly, fostering a sense of community, enriching the city’s identity, and elevating Riyadh’s standing as a global arts destination.


Billboard Arabia Music Awards to present more than 40 prizes in Riyadh this month

Billboard Arabia Music Awards to present more than 40 prizes in Riyadh this month
Updated 03 December 2024
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Billboard Arabia Music Awards to present more than 40 prizes in Riyadh this month

Billboard Arabia Music Awards to present more than 40 prizes in Riyadh this month

DUBAI: The inaugural edition of the Billboard Arabia Music Awards — which will take place on Dec. 11 at the King Fahad Cultural Centre, as part of the first edition of Riyadh Music Week — will present awards in more than 40 categories, organizers announced.

Some of the categories include Top Artist, Song of the Year, Best in Dialect Charts, and Top New Artist of the Year.

With 210 nominations and 96 artists covering top songs, artists, composers, songwriters, and producers, Al Shami leads the nomination count with 14, while other prominent stars such as Assala Nasri, Ahmad Saad, Tamer Ashour, alongside Elissa, Dystinct, Ayed and Tul8te, are also nominated. 

The event will feature musical performances by some of the most prominent artists in the region and the world, including Elissa, Dystinct, Ahmed Saad, Ayed and Tul8te, among others.

The event celebrates established and emerging regional talents, as well as the songs that have gained wide popularity on the trusted Billboard Arabia charts, including the “100 Artists” and “Hot 100” charts, and genre-specific and dialect-specific charts.

Billboard Arabia and the inaugral Billboard Arabia Music Awards is a result of a partnership between SRMG and Billboard. With Saudi Arabia’s live events market projected to surpass $1 billion by 2025 and streaming platforms in the region experiencing annual growth rates of between 10 percent and 15 percent, Billboard Arabia is poised to shape the regional and global music scene, driving economic growth and fostering creative expression.

Mike Van, the president of Billboard, expressed pride in the strategic partnership with SRMG, saying in a statement: “The Billboard Music Awards is globally recognized as the pinnacle of musical achievement, celebrating artists for their chart success and industry impact. We are excited to bring this legacy and vision to the MENA region, shining a spotlight on the incredible talent and musical excellence of local artists. This collaboration provides them with a unique platform to amplify their presence on a global stage.

“Winning a Billboard Arabia Music Award is a significant milestone in an artist’s career, one that can significantly accelerate their journey and open new doors for success,” he added.

Rami Zeidan, managing director of Billboard Arabia, described the event as historic: “Shaping new cultural trends in music has always been a fundamental part of Billboard’s pioneering philosophy.”

He highlighted that “the Billboard Arabia charts reflect our steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation of musical talent and celebrating the music that deeply influences listeners’ tastes and shapes the evolving music landscape.”

Zeidan further stated that “the music industry in the MENA region is experiencing unprecedented growth and rapid expansion, making it a focal point for global music platforms.”


Japanese artist Takayuki Mori’s interpretation of Saudi culture on display at Noor Riyadh

Japanese artist Takayuki Mori’s interpretation of Saudi culture on display at Noor Riyadh
Updated 03 December 2024
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Japanese artist Takayuki Mori’s interpretation of Saudi culture on display at Noor Riyadh

Japanese artist Takayuki Mori’s interpretation of Saudi culture on display at Noor Riyadh

RIYADH: Japanese visual artist Takayuki Mori pays homage to Saudi culture and heritage in his latest work, which can be seen at Noor Riyadh, the Kingdom’s annual festival of light and art. 

In “View Tracing #5 ‘LABYRINTH’,” the artist creates a visual manipulation experience featuring prominent cultural elements such as the falcon, mabkhara (incense burner), dallah (coffee pot), and an oud musical instrument mounted on large blocks and steps. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by TMW BTR (@tmwbtr)

“I designed this with the structures based on Islamic geometrical patterns, so when people see it from the top, you see the patterns. After doing some research, I selected objects inspired by Saudi Arabia and the neighboring regions … These represent the senses — taste, smell, sound,” Mori told Arab News. 

All the objects on display are 3D-printed and lined with fluorescent thread which glows in the ultraviolet-lit room, the lines creating geometric shapes that resemble computer-generated graphics. 

Viewers cannot physically smell, taste or hear the items, but the artist creates an experience where echoic, olfactory and taste memory come into play.

Japanese visual artist Takayuki Mori. (Supplied)

As they navigate the maze-like pathways they are challenged to test their own memory, creating a unique experience of determining what we presume to be true and what really is in both virtual and physical spaces. 

“This physical sculpture and installation was made digital to explore the relationship between two and three-dimensional, the analog and digital Riyadh,” said Mori.

Previous artworks in the series use a grid pattern, but this one features triangular patterns signaling to the motifs commonly found in old houses in Diriyah, the capital of the first Saudi state. 

This is Mori’s first time visiting and exhibiting his work in the Kingdom and he expressed his optimism for the region’s art scene: “It’s very powerful and energized. I’m very excited for the future here. I’ve talked with artists from Saudi and other countries and they are very motivated, so I got some inspiration from them and I’d like to continue that in my work.”


Stars Aamir Khan, Emily Blunt to be honored at Red Sea Film Festival

Stars Aamir Khan, Emily Blunt to be honored at Red Sea Film Festival
Updated 03 December 2024
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Stars Aamir Khan, Emily Blunt to be honored at Red Sea Film Festival

Stars Aamir Khan, Emily Blunt to be honored at Red Sea Film Festival
  • They are receiving the festival’s Red Sea Honoree award in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the film industry

JEDDAH: The Red Sea International Film Festival announced on Monday that stars Aamir Khan and Emily Blunt will be honored on the opening night of the Saudi festival’s fourth edition running from Dec. 5-14 in Jeddah.

Bollywood superstar Khan is an acclaimed figure in Indian cinema and known for films such as “Dangal” and “Ghajini.”

Blunt is an Academy Award nominee recognized for roles in blockbusters including “A Quiet Place” and “Oppenheimer.”

They are receiving the festival’s Red Sea Honoree award in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the film industry, organizers said.

The pair will also take part in the festival’s “In Conversation With” series, which features distinguished industry figures discussing their careers and insights into the art of filmmaking. Other participants in the series this year include Eva Longoria, Andrew Garfield and Ranbir Kapoor.

Jomana Al-Rashid, chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, praised the honorees, saying: “We are thrilled to celebrate Aamir Khan and Emily Blunt, whose remarkable achievements and enduring contributions to cinema have left an indelible mark on the industry.”

Khan expressed his gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the festival’s role in uniting global artists.

“Cinema has been my lifelong passion, and to be amid such an inspiring group of artists from across the world is truly humbling,” he said.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Red Sea International Film festival as it celebrates the impact and magic of cinema. I look forward to sharing my experiences, learning from others and collectively celebrating the art of storytelling that unites us all,” he added.

Blunt highlighted her excitement about the festival’s efforts to support women and emerging talent in the industry.

“I’m incredibly excited to be coming to the Red Sea Film Festival and grateful to be one of this year’s honorees,” the British actress said.

“I love all that this festival is doing for innovative and emerging talent in the film industry. In particular, I’m enthused by how they are empowering women in cinema and amplifying their voices,” she added.

The festival will also honor Egyptian actress Mona Zaki during the opening ceremony, while Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis will be recognized at the awards ceremony on Dec. 12.