The Noor Riyadh 2023 festival, meticulously organized by the Royal Commission of Riyadh City, has continued its impressive record-breaking streak into its third year, having set six new Guinness World Records. Known as the largest celebration of light, the festival took place from November 30 to December 16 with about three million people attending the event, which was spread over five major hubs in the Kingdom's capital city.
This year's edition surpassed its past accomplishments, securing a grand total of 14 Guinness World Records over the course of three years. Khaled Al-Hazani, the executive director of Riyadh Art, expressed the profound impact of Noor Riyadh 2023, remarking that it not only touched the hearts and minds of the people but contributed to the transformation of Riyadh into a dynamic global hub of creativity, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
The show secured additional world records, adding to its previous achievements and bringing the festival’s three-year total to 14 Guinness World Records.
An interesting installation, "DIALOGUE" by German interaction designer Christopher Bauder, created a dynamic interplay between Riyadh's iconic landmarks—Al-Faisaliyah Tower and Kingdom Tower—setting two records for the most lights in a single building and the most lights used in a transient light and sound show. By using 3,000 drones, Studio Drift's "Desert Swarm" broke records for both the largest drone bird swarm and the most drones deployed in a week.
The show secured additional world records, adding to its previous achievements and bringing the festival’s three-year total to 14 Guinness World Records.
The largest interactive projection-mapped exhibit was "Magic Carpet, Origin of the World" by French artist Miguel Chevalier. It included a carpet-like structure of proliferating cells that were activated by visitors' footsteps. A unique take on light-based structures, Yinka Ilori's "Block Cubes" became the largest temporary skate park in the world, setting another new record.
Organized around the theme "The Positive Aspect of the Desert Moon" by Jerome Sans, Pedro Alonzo, Fahad bin Naif, and Alaa Tarabzouni, Noor Riyadh 2023 showcased compelling artworks that delved into the concept of light as a cohesive element amid periods of isolation. Distributed across various locations including King Abdullah Financial District, JAX District, Salam Park, Wadi Hanifa, and Wadi Namar, the festival featured distinctive standout pieces, including immersive video art projections by SUPERFLEX and Muhannad Shono's investigation into light and formlessness.
The show secured additional world records, adding to its previous achievements and bringing the festival’s three-year total to 14 Guinness World Records.
Although the festival has concluded, Noor Riyadh continues in its accompanying exhibition, "Refracted Identities, Shared Futures," curated by Neville Wakefield and Maya Al-Athel. The exhibition, featuring 32 works from artists representing 16 countries, remains on display until March 2, offering a continued celebration of artistic innovation and creativity.
