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Riyadh Art Enriches Metro Stations with Artworks

Zaman Jassim’s When the Moon is Full. SPA
Zaman Jassim’s When the Moon is Full. SPA
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Riyadh Art Enriches Metro Stations with Artworks

Zaman Jassim’s When the Moon is Full. SPA
Zaman Jassim’s When the Moon is Full. SPA

Riyadh Art, the world’s largest public art program, has unveiled four monumental public artworks with the launch of the Riyadh Metro, transforming key metro stations into cultural landmarks.
At the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station, designed by the internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, Alexander Calder’s Janey Waney takes center stage. This bold and colorful sculpture exemplifies Calder’s pioneering spirit in kinetic art, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors. Nearby, Robert Indiana’s LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside), one of the most recognizable public artworks globally, captivates audiences with its vibrant interplay of color and universal themes of connection and hope. Together, these masterpieces transform the daily commute into a celebration of art, architecture, and creativity.
At the Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Metro Station, designed by the renowned architectural firm Snøhetta, Ugo Rondinone’s The Sun stands as a striking golden centerpiece, symbolizing energy and renewal. Complementing this is Zaman Jassim’s When the Moon is Full, a reflective and poetic piece inspired by Riyadh’s rich cultural heritage. These artworks, combined with the architectural brilliance of the station, redefine public spaces, blending art with the rhythm of daily life to create a truly unique cultural experience.
“These permanent artworks embody our vision of transforming Riyadh into an open-air gallery that enriches the quality of life and fosters a deeper connection between people and art,” said Architect Khalid Al-Hazani, Executive Director of Riyadh Art. “By collaborating with some of the most creative minds of our time, we’re not just adding art to public spaces—we’re creating cultural landmarks that inspire and engage generations.”
Riyadh Art is an unparalleled cultural infrastructure initiative that reimagines urban spaces, fosters creativity, and enriches lives. Led by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), as one of the four initial Mega Projects of Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh Art champions cultural innovation, drives economic diversification, and positions Riyadh as a global center for contemporary art and culture.
Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has seamlessly integrated art into the urban fabric of Saudi Arabia’s capital, showcasing over 500 artworks by more than 500 local and international artists, hosting more than 6,000 community engagement activities, and engaging over 6 million visitors. As the program continues to expand, the number of artworks and initiatives is set to grow significantly, fostering a sense of community, enriching the city’s identity, and elevating Riyadh’s standing as a vibrant global arts destination.

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Culture

Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
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Workshop Held to Develop Cultural Heritage Documentation, Digital Archiving Guide in Saudi Arabia

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA
The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture organized a specialized workshop to review and develop the third edition of the Cultural Heritage Documentation and Digital Archiving Guide in the Kingdom.

The workshop brought together representatives from relevant cultural entities, along with stakeholders, experts, and practitioners, as part of the center’s efforts to standardize methodologies for documenting and archiving cultural heritage and to enhance institutional practices for managing national cultural memory.

The workshop forms part of the Ministry of Culture’s ongoing efforts to establish national standard frameworks for the management and digital documentation of cultural heritage, strengthen integration among entities, and equip practitioners with the necessary tools and methodologies.

These efforts reinforce the role of the Saudi cultural memory center in preserving the Kingdom’s cultural memory and support the objectives of the National Culture Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030.

Culture

Makkah Quran Museum Displays Rare ‘Blue Quran’ Manuscript

The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)
The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)
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Makkah Quran Museum Displays Rare ‘Blue Quran’ Manuscript

The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)
The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. (SPA)

The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah is displaying a rare folio from the famed “Al-Muṣḥaf Al-Azraq” (Blue Quran), featuring verses from Surah Al-Baqarah, from the end of verse 37 to the beginning of verse 42, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The exhibit highlights the richness of Islamic Quranic heritage and its ancient artistic legacy.

The Blue Quran is regarded as one of the rarest and most luxurious mushafs in Islamic civilization. It was written in pure gold ink in early Kufic script on a deep blue background, reflecting a distinctive artistic style that underscores early Muslims’ reverence for the Quranic text and their dedication to the aesthetics of its calligraphy.

Dating back to the 9th century, the manuscript holds exceptional historical and scholarly value. It stands as a testament to the development of Arabic calligraphy and illumination during the early Islamic period.

Surviving pages of the Blue Quran are extremely rare and are now dispersed among a limited number of museums and private collections worldwide.

The display forms part of the museum’s efforts to introduce visitors to the history of the mushaf and the artistic stages of its transcription, offering access to extraordinary examples of Quranic manuscripts.

The initiative aims to deepen cultural awareness and enrich the experience of visitors to the Hira Cultural District from within the Kingdom and abroad.

The Holy Quran Museum serves as a cultural and educational landmark, highlighting the history of the Quran and its journey since the revelation. It houses rare manuscripts and historic copies of the Quran, alongside interactive exhibits and modern technologies that reflect Muslims’ enduring devotion to the Quran throughout the centuries, in a location closely associated with the dawn of the Islamic message.

Culture

Riyadh Art Unveils Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026

The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA
The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA
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Riyadh Art Unveils Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026

The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA
The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works. SPA

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, via its Riyadh Art program, has launched the Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 exhibition on Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia).

Open to the public from February 9 to 22, the exhibition showcases 25 new artworks themed "Traces of What Will Be," exploring transformation and urban renewal.

The sculptures were crafted during a live phase from January 10 to February 5, during which artists from 18 countries used local stone and recycled metals, allowing the public to witness the creative process firsthand.

The exhibition site on Tahlia Street was strategically chosen for its historical legacy of innovation to provide a conceptual framework for the works.

Overseen by a panel of international experts, the exhibition serves as an interactive cultural platform featuring workshops and panel discussions to foster community engagement.

All 2026 pieces will join Riyadh Art's permanent collection, which has hosted over 170 artists since 2019 and already installed more than 60 sculptures across the city to integrate contemporary art into Riyadh's urban fabric.