ALULA
In April 2024, Arts AlUla and the French Agency for AlUla Development (Afalula) launched the latest edition of AlUla Artist Residency programme.
Artist Residency 2024
AlUla, rapidly awakening in what could very well be its rebirth or renaissance, seeks to reconnect with its origins as a crossroads of civilizations. Once a vital point on the Incense Route, a place where Bedouins and caravans settled and developed their rich culture and crafts, AlUla is now poised at a pivotal moment in its history. This unique context is where the six artists of the 2024 edition of the residency – Yasmina Benabderrahmane, Salomé Chatriot, Zuzanna Czebatul, Louis-Cyprien Rials, Anhar Salem and Aïcha Snoussi – were immersed for two months, drawing inspiration from the past and present to envision the future by blending historical significance with contemporary art.
Curated by Ludovic Delalande and Parand Danesh.
AlUla Heritage
Over the two months, Yasmina Benabderrahmane, Salomé Chatriot, Zuzanna Czebatul, Louis-Cyprien Rials, Anhar Salem and Aïcha Snoussi explored archaeological sites, natural landscapes and historical narratives, and engaged with experts across various fields who shared their knowledge, ongoing research, and investigation. Artists from diverse backgrounds and generations, each with varied artistic practices, embarked on this journey without prior familiarity with AlUla. According to their interests and work, each artist developed a unique approach towards the landscape, nature, elements, time, history, architecture, myths, and legends. Here, they had to reconsider everything – their habits, beliefs and certainties – to open up to the plurality of voices and viewpoints that compose AlUla. Through meticulous observation, experimentation, data collection, and investigation, each artist has mapped, in their own unique way “zones of interest” capturing their essence in images, drawings, videos, photographs, sounds, food, scents, fabric, and sculptures. This process has not only inspired their art but also challenged them to rethink their practices. By delving into what defines the specificities of AlUla, they have sought to translate its many mysteries into artistic expression, becoming storytellers and authors of a (hi)story that continues to be written over the centuries.
Looking Back Looking Forward
The two-month research residency culminated in a moment of sharing, where artists presented their research to the public. This event, a “nuit blanche’’ or “late night,” not only addresses the practical need to avoid daytime heat but also the wish to reveal, in a different light, AlUla’s realm of reflection and magic. Nighttime, with its calm and mystery, invites meditation and introspection while awakening the subconscious through dreams. Darkness guides us with newfound insights. Taking place at Mabiti, the site where they lived and worked, the event featured “parcours,” designed as a journey through both their workspace and living quarters as well as the shared gardens. As transformations take root during sleep, this nocturnal gathering allowed for a deeper mental anchoring of the profound beauty of AlUla, right at the intersection between vision and mirage.
Quand tu me parles de Terre, multimédia installation, 2024. Yasmina Benabderrahmane ©Adagp, Paris, 2024.
The Whispering Desert (Shell 3), Salomé Chatriot, 2024.
Echoes of Contrast, Zuzanna Czebatul, 2024. 375 x 365 x 3 cm Sand, cement, Pigments, Metal
Recherches roches métamorphiques, Polaroids, Louis-Cyprien Rials, 2024
A Day in Alula, Anhar Salem, 2024 – 4 TV Channels, 4 films, colors, stereo. (13min, 25min, 41min, 60min)
In residence view, Aïcha Snoussi, 2024.
Artist Residency 2023
The second edition of the second cycle of AlUla Artist Program took place from January 3rd – March 20th 2023, and gathered six artists: Monira Al Qadiri, Manon Wertenbroek, Ayman Zedani, Agnieszka Kurant, Ben Elliot and Bricklab.
This edition of the AlUla Artist Program strived to encourage reinterpretation of AlUla’s cultural heritage into the digital realm.
The artists spent time in AlUla to observe and research the natural environment and cultural heritage of AlUla in an exploration of how new ecologies can be made possible via the medium of digital art.
Artist residency 2022
Six artists from different backgrounds participated in the first edition (18 January – 31 March 2022): Kevin Bray, Petra Cortright, Nicolas Lamas, Timur Si-Quin, and the duo Ittah Yoda.
The residency aimed to foster dialogue, exchange, and collaboration between the artists in residence and the community of experts working on the ground in AlUla, as well as local practitioners and members of the local community. Their weeks of exchanges gave them extraordinary opportunities to develop their “techno-vernacular” research.
The artists, the experts, and the local community participated in a dynamic and regular public programme.
The Digging Up The Future edition was a step towards building a continual programme of artists in residence – a key aspect in the long-term endeavour to nurture a flourishing creative industry and cultural economy in AlUla, creating cultural bridges, both geographically and aesthetically, reinterpreting cultural artifacts from the past through the digital.
Goals and Benefits
The AlUla Artist Residency aims to provide artists with an immersive environment that encourages the development of new ideas, fosters creativity, and facilitates cultural exchange. The residency allows artists to engage with the rich history and vibrant community of AlUla, providing extraordinary opportunities to develop their “techno-vernacular” research. In addition, the program offers unique networking opportunities, enabling artists to connect and collaborate with experts and local practitioners.
Engagement with the Community
One of the defining aspects of the AlUla Artist Residency is its emphasis on community engagement. The artists, experts, and the local community participate in a dynamic and regular public programme, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared learning. This exchange not only enriches the experience of the artists but also contributes to the cultural vitality of the AlUla community.
Artists In ALULA
Experience the creative journey of our artists. From initial sketches to final masterpieces, our AlUla page showcases the incredible talent and diversity of the artists who participated in the residency programs. Immerse yourself in their creative processes and explore the innovative works they developed during their time in AlUla.
