Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium: A dialogue between stone and culture in the heart of Riyadh
The Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium is one of the most prominent international art events held annually in the Saudi capital. More than just an art exhibition, the symposium has become a vibrant creative platform, bringing together leading sculptors from around the world who work alongside Saudi artists to transform massive stone blocks into public works of art that adorn the city's skyline.
General context: Art as part of Vision 2030
This global art event comes within the context of the comprehensive cultural and social transformation underway in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. The Vision aims to improve the quality of life and develop the creative sectors, and the Riyadh Art Program plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals by striving to transform Riyadh into an “open-air art gallery without walls.” The Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium contributes directly to this vision by enriching the urban landscape with sustainable artworks and enhancing Riyadh’s position as a global destination for art and culture.
How it works: From raw stone to a work of art
What distinguishes the Tuwaiq Symposium is the transparency of the creative process. Held in an open-air studio, the event offers the public a unique opportunity to watch artists at work and follow the transformation of raw stones extracted from the Kingdom's lands into monumental sculptures. This interactive experience goes beyond mere observation; it includes:
- Living Sculpture: Visitors follow daily the meticulous process that requires great effort and skill, from the initial drawing to the final shaping.
- Cultural dialogue: The forum provides a fertile environment for the exchange of ideas and experiences between international and local artists, creating an artistic dialogue that enriches everyone's experience.
- Accompanying program: A series of workshops, dialogue sessions, and seminars targeting emerging artists and the general public will be held on the sidelines of the forum, with the aim of spreading awareness of the art of sculpture, its history, and contemporary techniques.
Importance and expected impact
The impact of the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium extends far beyond its duration, with the completed artworks being permanently displayed in squares, public parks, and key neighborhoods throughout Riyadh. This impact can be observed on several levels:
- Locally: The forum contributes to building a distinctive visual identity for the city, makes art a part of the daily lives of residents, and inspires a new generation of Saudi artists and encourages them to engage in public art.
- Regionally: It enhances the Kingdom's position as a leading center for arts and culture in the Middle East region, attracting talent and experts from neighboring countries.
- Internationally: The forum acts as a bridge for cultural communication, offering the world a glimpse into the Kingdom’s natural heritage (through the use of its stones) and its openness to global arts, thus enhancing its soft power on the international stage.
In conclusion, the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium represents a long-term investment in Riyadh’s cultural infrastructure, transforming public spaces into spaces for reflection and inspiration, and affirming that art is a universal language capable of shaping the future of cities and societies.
