A new exhibition at Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) is spotlighting how Arab artists have engaged with technology as a medium for reflection, experimentation, and critique. Titled Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World, the exhibition brings together more than 70 works by over 40 artists, offering an expansive look at how new media has shaped contemporary artistic expression in the region.
Running through July 19, 2025, Maknana marks DAF’s second major exhibition since opening as the region’s first center dedicated to new media arts. The exhibition opened on April 19 with a guided curators’ tour, a public discussion, and a performance by multidisciplinary artist Joe Namy, setting the tone for a program designed to foster dialogue around art, technology, and Arab identity.
A History Told Through Technology
The title Maknana, derived from Arabic, refers to the act of delegating a task to a machine or merging with it. This idea serves as the exhibition’s conceptual backbone, examining how Arab artists have historically engaged with machines not just as tools but as collaborators and subjects in their work.
Works on view span decades of creative inquiry, encompassing digital video, data manipulation, coding, sound art, and more. The artworks are grouped under four thematic categories: automation, autonomy, ripples, and glitch, reflecting different ways artists explore everything from artificial intelligence and digital resistance to memory, migration, and algorithmic aesthetics.
Our journey began today.#Maknana opened at #DAF with a vibrant start — a guided tour with the curators, an insightful discussion, and a captivating performance by Joe Namy.
Discover how Arab artists have engaged with technology across decades.Book your tickets now:… pic.twitter.com/ndufkjIVq7
— DiriyahArtFutures (@DAFmoc) April 21, 2025
Many of the pieces speak to urgent sociopolitical contexts. Some artists tackle surveillance and censorship, others delve into climate change, cultural heritage, or personal archives reimagined through code and sound. Across these varied approaches, the common thread is an interrogation of how new media reflects and reshapes life in the Arab world.
DAF, located in Diriyah, continues to grow as a hub for experimental arts in Saudi Arabia, offering artists space, resources, and an international platform.
Alongside the exhibition, DAF is hosting a public program that includes masterclasses, talks, performances, and hands-on workshops. These activities aim to open up the dialogue around new media art, making the tools and ideas behind the works accessible to a broader audience.
Visitors can explore the Makana exhibition from Monday to Saturday, with operating hours from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Fridays starting at 4:00 PM). DAF is closed on Sundays. Tickets are available through WeBook.
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