The world’s largest light art festival, Noor Riyadh, has achieved a new remarkable milestone by securing two new Guinness World Record titles.
These two new titles add to Noor Riyadh’s impressive journey of success, establishing its position as a platform for cultural exchange and a source of inspiration for young artists. It also underscores the festival’s role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s creative economy, a key objective of Vision 2030.
New Guinness Titles
Running from November 28 to December 14, 2024, the fourth edition of Noor Riyadh Festival made a major stride by securing two new Guinness World Records, for the fourth year in a row. Hence, these two new titles bring the total number of Noor Riyadh’s Guinness World Records to 16.
During a ceremony at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in Riyadh, the winning artworks received the awards. The first winning artwork is High Power, by the creative artist, Chris Levine. It secured the Longest Distance Covered by a Laser Light in a Laser Show.
Meanwhile, the second winning artwork is The Fifth Pyramid, by the Saudi talented artists, Rashed AlShashai. It received recognition for the Largest Illuminated Recyclable Material Sculpture of a Pyramid, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Marvelous Light Creations
The winning installations showcase an unparalleled creativity and skill. Under the theme Light Years Apart, Noor Riyadh Festival 2024 aimed to explore the connection between Earth (Al-Thara) and the stars (Al-Thuraya), highlighting human journey towards the stars to achieve the highest aspirations.
Chris Levine’s High Power is an innovative light installation designed to be visible from across the entire city of Riyadh. Displayed from the top of Al-Faisaliah Tower, at a height of 267 meters, the artwork utilizes cutting-edge laser technology to create a vibrant beam that sends a message in Morse Code, carrying the word “Peace.” Viewed from across Riyadh, it acts as a reminder of peace, hope, and positive change.
Chris Levine’s “Higher Power” transforms Al Faisaliah Tower into a city-scale light installation during Noor Riyadh. A powerful laser beam projects in Morse code a message across the skyline with the word ‘Salaam’, meaning ‘peace’ in Arabic.
📍ِAl Faisaliah Tower#NoorRiyadh… pic.twitter.com/m1Phz7MZHL
— نور الرياض (@NoorRiyadhFest) December 14, 2024
On the other hand, The Fifth Pyramid, by the Saudi artist Rashed AlShashai, is a 28-meter large pyramid structure made from green petrochemical shipping pallets. In a showcase of creativity, the pyramid is dissected into two halves by a bright fuchsia walkway. This innovative artwork, which uses recycled materials and breaks a traditional symbol of stability, invites audiences to reflect on how reforms in Saudi Arabia are opening new horizons for a new economy based on knowledge and sustainability.
A Source of Inspiration
The remarkable achievements emphasize the objectives of Noor Riyadh 2024 to highlight the power of creativity and ambitions in building bridges to fulfill aspirations. They also underscore the festival’s dedication to use the transformative power of light and art to push the creative and technological boundaries.
“The Fifth Pyramid” by Rashed AlShashai is a striking sculptural artwork composed of shipping pallets arranged into a large pyramid. Split by a fuchsia-lit path, it invites visitors to reflect on Riyadh’s bold and ongoing evolution into a global art capital.
📍King Abdulaziz… pic.twitter.com/HalaxnUVgp— نور الرياض (@NoorRiyadhFest) December 9, 2024
On this occasion, Riyadh Art Executive Director Architect, Khalid Al-Hazani, lauded the new achievement. “Achieving two more Guinness World Records Titles at Noor Riyadh is a testament to the transformative power of art and creativity. We are proud to see Noor Riyadh continuing to inspire and unite people through the universal language of light,” he said.
Unprecedented Creativity
Similarly, Noor Riyadh Festival Director, Nouf Almoneef, highlighted the scale of creativity and innovation at Noor Riyadh 2024, saying it reached “unprecedented” levels. “The scale and creativity of this festival are unparalleled, and these records underscore its global significance as a landmark event in the world of contemporary art,” she said.
Almoneef also pointed to Riyadh’s status as a hub for culture. “This achievement highlights Riyadh’s position as a global cultural hub and reflects the incredible talent and dedication of the artists and curators who brought this vision to life,” she added.
Noor Riyadh: Bridging Art and Technology
The Noor Riyadh Festival is part of the Riyadh Art Program. Launched in 2021, Noor Riyadh brings together artists from all over the world, prompting a vibrant dialogue between art and technology. In its fourth edition, the festival featured a diverse array of magnificent light shows, displaying the talent of visual artists, industrial designers, sculptors, musicians, as well as photographers.
Noor Riyadh 2024 featured a prestigious lineup of local and international artists, with over 60 artists from 18 countries. Moreover, Saudi artists made a unique contribution, with 18 skilled artists showcasing their creative artworks and light installations.
The festival took place across 3 carefully-chosen venues that blend heritage and modernity: King Abdulaziz Historical Center; Wadi Hanifah; and JAX District. The choice of these venues not only boosted the cultural richness of the event but also highlighted the Kingdom’s cultural diversity by mixing traditional and contemporary arts.
