Formafantasma's Sustainable Scenography

Redrawing the global art map

Chapter 1

Abidjan's contemporary renaissance

Chapter 2

Riyadh's desert biennales

Chapter 3

Yogyakarta's collective canvas

Chapter 4

Mexico City's creative explosion

Ch 2 · Riyadh's desert biennales

andy Formafantasma designs sustainable exhibition spaces

andy Monumental land art transforms the desert landscape of Desert X AlUla.

Riyadh's desert biennales

BETA

andy Place giant sculptures in the sand to discover how Riyadh became a global art capital.

andy Desert X AlUla Land Art

Jump on the desert puddles (bounce, bounce, yeah!) / Glowing in the ancient canyon (oh-oh-oh!)

The most enduring creations adapt to, rather than dominate, their surroundings.

Glossary

biennale (noun)
A large-scale international exhibition of contemporary art held every two years. Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale was established in Riyadh's JAX District in 2021.

Fun Fact

Desert art: At the first Desert X AlUla, artist Manal AlDowayan created giant puddle-like trampolines in the sand that visitors could jump on to simulate water.

Quiz

In which region of Saudi Arabia is the Desert X outdoor art exhibition held?

Quiz

In which year did the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale hold its inaugural edition?

Quiz

Which UNESCO World Heritage Site is located immediately adjacent to the JAX District?

Quiz

Who served as the Co-Artistic Directors for the 2026 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale?

Quiz

How many square meters of exhibition space did the Formafantasma-designed 2026 biennale cover?

Gossip

Should historic ruins host modern art installations?

Quiz

What was the JAX District in Diriyah before it became a cultural hub?

Quiz

What makes Desert X AlUla distinct from traditional museum exhibitions?

Quiz

Which famous design studio created the scenography for the 2026 Diriyah Biennale?