Diriyah: Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the MENA region's first centre dedicated to New Media Arts, opened its fourth major exhibition "Of the Earth: Earthly Technologies to Computational Biologies" yesterday evening in Diriyah, Riyadh. The opening event welcomed cultural leaders, artists, media, and members of the creative community for an evening of art, performance, and dialogue, according to a press release issued by the DAF today.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the exhibition is curated by the Director of Exhibitions at DAF, Irini Papadimitriou, and will run until May 16, 2026. It features works by over 30 local, regional, and international artists who explore the reshaping of our relationship with the natural world in the digital age.
The evening began with an exclusive media tour of the exhibition, followed by a welcome address and engaging discussions among visitors, participating artists, and the curatorial team. Attendees were treated to a performance of "1 DROP 1000 YEARS," a piece that uses water particles to create a mesmerizing visual and sonic meditation on ecological fragility and material interconnection.
One of the evening's highlights was the panel discussion titled 'Assembled Ecologies,' featuring participating artists and exhibition curator Irini Papadimitriou. The discussion delved into themes of technological innovation, ecological responsibility, and the role of art in tackling urgent environmental challenges while embracing shared planetary futures.
Acting CEO of the Museums Commission, Ibrahim Alsanousi, stated: "Through Diriyah Art Futures and exhibitions such as Of the Earth, the Museums Commission continues to develop cultural institutions that engage with the most pressing questions of our time. As we establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for arts and culture, we remain committed to creating spaces where artists, scholars, and audiences come together to shape new forms of cultural expression rooted in our heritage and responsive to the challenges ahead."
The exhibition is organized around four thematic areas: Computational Chimeras, Earthly Circuits, Codes of Extraction, and Foraging Networks. It examines how technology is often positioned as a tool to control nature and addresses the environmental impact of digital systems on a planet with finite resources. The artworks remind us that digital technologies are derived from the earth's own materials, relying on physical servers, undersea cables, rare minerals, and energy.
By integrating art, technology, and science collaborations, "Of the Earth" offers creative and innovative solutions to address pressing issues and challenge technological power structures, suggesting pathways towards nurturing ecosystems and reimagining technology shaped by interspecies, collective, and planetary intelligence.
The exhibition is complemented by a vibrant public programme consisting of panel discussions, practical workshops, and masterclasses running through May 2026.