Have you spotted the striking artworks at these Riyadh Metro stations?
Yes, we’re still obsessed about the metro…
Saudi Arabia is fast becoming a platform for public art, ranging from the Desert X installations, like Falling Stones Garden and Najma in Our Habitas AlUla, to large abstract sculptures lining Jeddah’s expansive corniche and colourful murals around Riyadh.
Plus, with the recent launch of the Riyadh Metro, Riyadh Art – spearheaded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) – has unveiled four monumental public artworks, transforming key metro stations into iconic cultural landmarks.
Here are the four artworks to keep an eye out for the next time you’re headed to the turnstiles.
King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station
For starters, we think the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station, designed by the internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, is an art in itself, with an undulating lattice façade.
Step inside, and you’ll find Alexander Calder’s Janey Waney adding a splash of colour to the station’s white interiors. This bold, three-dimensional sculpture exemplifies Calder’s pioneering spirit in kinetic art, creating a dynamic and engaging visitor experience.
Nearby, Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside), consisting of the letters L and a tilted letter O on top of the letters V and E, captivates audiences with its vibrant interplay of colour and universal themes of connection and hope.
Qasr Al-Hokm Downtown Metro Station
Claiming its spot outside the Qasr Al Hokm Downtown Metro Station, designed by the renowned architectural firm Snøhetta, is Ugo Rondinone’s The Sun, a ring of gilded bronze cast from encircling tree branches.
Symbolising energy and renewal, the striking golden installation is a celebration of life. It is there to remind us in our liminal moments of universal unity, the cycle of life and the power of plants.
Complementing this reflective work is Zaman Jassim’s When the Moon is Full, an eye-catching and poetic piece inspired by Riyadh’s rich cultural heritage. A wholly romantic perspective on our everyday lives, the installation shows the pause before the moment of farewell and reflects on all that is beautiful in a lifetime. It serves as a moving backdrop to the literal movements of people flitting in and out of the trains every day.
So, which one of these artworks is your favourite?
Images: Social / SPA