As Noor Riyadh 2024 lit up the city, the JAX District ignited ideas, conversations, and a dialogue of creativity. Noor Talks, the festival’s panel series, brought together leading voices in the arts to explore how community, creativity and innovation are shaping a new era for public art.

The series opened with “Curators in Conversation,” where the festival’s co-curators, Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag and Dr. Alfredo Cramerotti, unveiled the layered inspirations behind the edition’s theme, “Light Years Apart.” Drawing on the symbolism of Althuraya (the sky) and Althara (the earth), the panel revealed how humanity’s timeless fascination with the stars continues to fuel creative expression.

The curators unveiled how the 2024 festival connects ancient navigation, cosmic wonder, and contemporary technology, culminating in over 60 large-scale installations displayed across Riyadh. Laser projections, kinetic sculptures, and immersive displays offer viewers a journey that fuses innovation with tradition, transforming public spaces into living canvases of light and meaning. Audience members gained unique insights into how Noor Riyadh celebrates artistry but also invites reflection on our shared future.

Reimagining Public Art for a Connected World
“The Future of Public Art” brought global perspectives to the fore as Noor Riyadh artists Refik Anadol, Lachlan Turczan, and Ebtehal AlRajhi shared their visions for art that lives beyond galleries.

Anadol spoke of how innovation and technology can create immersive works that transcend language and geography, while Turczan emphasized the need for artworks that harmonize with natural environments. AlRajhi focused on the role of cultural narratives, noting that public art must connect with the audience and reflect the stories and aspirations of the communities they inhabit.

The panelists stressed that public art today must be inclusive, interactive, and adaptive, serving not only for aesthetics but also as vital tools for community engagement and cultural storytelling.

Noor Talks also presented “Building Creative Communities Through Collaboration”. Featuring Vilma Jurkute, Nawaf Alharbi, Nour Kelani, and Baloo, the panel highlighted how creativity thrives in supportive ecosystems, as music, performance, mentorship, and visual arts continue to drive cultural innovation across the Gulf. The conversation underscored the importance of inclusive, interdisciplinary networks that nurture talent, encourage risk-taking, and drive the region’s cultural innovation. Collaboration was presented not simply as an option but as a necessity for sustaining vibrant creative ecosystems.

The 21st Century and beyond
Closing the series, “The Role of Cultural Institutions in the 21st Century” brought together Noura Al-Maashouq, Jack Persekian, Farah Abushullaih, and Nora Aldabal to reflect on the evolving responsibilities of museums and cultural centers. The discussion was centered on the need to preserve heritage while serving as active platforms for contemporary discourse. Emphasis was placed on youth engagement, storytelling, and adaptability, urging institutions to remain beacons of creativity and dialogue amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

Throughout Noor Riyadh 2024, a consistent message emerged: art is a bridge. Between the past and the future, between diverse cultures, and between the seen and the unseen. Noor Riyadh’s platform for conversation underscored the festival’s broader mission to spark curiosity, ignite dialogue, and amplify creativity on a global stage.

As Riyadh continues its remarkable cultural evolution, Noor Riyadh serves as a powerful reminder that art, in all its luminous forms, can inspire, connect, and transform.