DUBAI: Saudi artist Reem Al-Nasser has been selected for the first-ever Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency, a groundbreaking initiative by Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) that brings together leading artists and scholars to explore the intersection of culture, nature, and technology.
Organized by the Museums Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the residency aims to support experimental research and artistic production in the field of digital and new media art. Running until July, it welcomes a diverse spring cohort from Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, France, Germany, and the UK. Participants benefit from technical support, production budgets, and access to state-of-the-art labs and studios.
Al-Nasser, one of three Saudi artists chosen, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, calling it both an honor and a significant step in her journey.
“Being chosen for such a prestigious residency was a validation of my artistic journey and gave me a sense of responsibility and excitement,” she told Arab News.
Exploring the Digital Roots of Nature
The theme of the residency, “High-Resolution Dreams from the Sands,” invites artists to examine the evolving relationship between land and technology. Al-Nasser’s project focuses on Al-Samh, a flower native to the Saudi desert, symbolizing resilience, healing, and shelter.
“I’m working on archiving the ancient behaviors associated with this flower, incorporating its intricate details into digital artworks that simulate its essence,” she explained.
Her work includes a series of interactive digital installations combining visual projection, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence, aiming to create a multi-sensory journey through the story of the Samh flower.
“These tools allow me to present the intricate details of the Samh flower in a stunning and unprecedented way,” she said.
Bridging Tradition and Technology
Al-Nasser is known for blending traditional storytelling with modern technology, often using historical behaviors as a foundation for digital narratives. Her signature approach connects the past and present, using both physical and digital media to reconstruct ancient knowledge in a contemporary form.
“Being in Diriyah opened my eyes to the importance of drawing inspiration from local elements and presenting them in a contemporary manner,” she said.
Inspired by Diriyah’s natural landscapes, palm gardens, and ancient forts, Al-Nasser noted how the environment has become a driving force in her current work.
“I want people to reflect on the relationship between heritage and technology and how art can bridge the two.”
A Cultural Renaissance in the Kingdom
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in cultural platforms like Diriyah Art Futures, Al-Nasser believes that local artists are now empowered to make a mark on the global digital art scene.
“Saudi artists are producing remarkable works rooted in heritage while integrating modern technologies,” she said. “They have the potential to revolutionize the global art scene by highlighting the beauty of local nature, like the Samh flower, in innovative ways.”
Al-Nasser’s passion for art began in her teenage years, driven by her love for storytelling and the subtleties of human behavior.
“Ancient storytelling and understanding personal experiences were my primary sources of inspiration,” she explained. “I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty of subtle details in behaviors and how art can highlight them.”
As the Mazra’ah residency unfolds, Al-Nasser’s immersive creations are poised to redefine how audiences connect with nature, heritage, and futuristic storytelling — through the lens of Saudi Arabia’s blooming digital art movement.
