Desert X AlUla returns for its third edition, bringing together visionary artworks by Saudi and international artists amidst the majestic desert landscape of AlUla, a region in north-western Saudi Arabia steeped in cross-cultural heritage.
Artistic directors Raneem Farsi and Neville Wakefield join curators Maya El Khalil and Marcello Dantas to craft an exhibition under the theme, *In the Presence of Absence.
This year's theme challenges the common notion of deserts as static, empty spaces, and instead calls artists to explore what cannot be seen, revealing the hidden forces of time, wind, and history that shape the landscape. El Khalil, a noted curator with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa, and Dantas, renowned for his interdisciplinary approach, will oversee installations that aim to weave stories into this timeless terrain.
These artists are tasked with reimagining the desert landscape as a dynamic realm brimming with stories, myths, and energies that defy the immediate perception. 'Desert X AlUla 2024' dares to uncover these invisible currents, offering fresh encounters with the landscape that invite visitors to engage deeply with the art and the shifting atmospheres of AlUla. In doing so, the exhibition reveals the transformative power of art to illuminate unseen dimensions, fostering a dialogue between creativity and nature that transcends conventional boundaries.
