Diriyah Art Futures (DAF), the MENA region’s first institution dedicated to New Media and Digital Arts, has hosted its inaugural Open Studio event for the Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency at its headquarters in Diriyah.
The event offered a behind-the-scenes preview of projects currently in progress by the Spring 2025 residency cohort.
The Open Studio began with remarks from DAF Director Dr. Haytham Nawar and Director of Education Dr. Tegan Bristow, followed by presentations from programme scholars Dr. Anett Holzheid of ZKM | Centre for Art and Media, and independent writer and curator Mizuho Yamazaki. The evening continued with artist talks, studio walkthroughs and interactive sessions in DAF’s XR and fabrication labs.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with resident artists including Dr. Stanza, Harshit Agrawal, Arwa Alneami and Reem Alnasser. Each offered insight into their research and creative processes, demonstrating the diversity of approaches encouraged within the Mazra’ah programme.
The residency, which spans three months, supports experimentation and cross-disciplinary research in New Media Arts. This year’s theme, High-Resolution Dreams of Sand, invites reflection on the intersection of human, nature and technology amid shifting ecological and cultural landscapes. Selected participants are provided with dedicated studio space, access to advanced production tools and opportunities for international collaboration.
The Open Studio marks a significant milestone for DAF as it seeks to place Saudi Arabia at the centre of global discourse on digital and media arts. The Mazra’ah residency artists will continue their work through July 2025, with future public activations planned as outcomes of their residency.
DAF was established by the Museums Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture and is located within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah. It functions as a platform for artistic production, research and education, promoting interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of art, science and technology.
