2024 NOOR RIYAD ART

At “Noor Riyadh,” Edoardo Dionea Cicconi unveiled AKR III, a sculptural light installation that recreates the aurora borealis by projecting a powerful beam of colors into the sky. Using true northern lights data coded into a microcomputer, the installation’s vibrant hues brought a piece of the Arctic to Saudi Arabia.

Set at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, AKR III created a striking contrast between its futuristic 3-meter steel form and the site’s historic surroundings, evoking a timeless dialogue between past and future.

During the day, the sculpture stood as a towering metal presence, awaiting its transformation at sunset. As night fell, it shone a band of shifting colors into the sky, seemingly “painting the sky” and immersing viewers in a metaphysical connection that links the Earth to the cosmos through light.

Grounded in technological innovation, AKR III exemplifies a fusion of art and science, inspiring the audience to reflect on their existence in relation to space and time. The prestigious Noor Riyadh festival has previously showcased installations by renowned artists like James Turrell, Dan Flavin, and Ryoji Ikeda, positioning Cicconi among the art world’s leading visionaries.

Opening: October 2024
Noor Riyad
Riyad Art

 

Edoardo Dionea Cicconi (b. 1985) is an Italian contemporary artist who works with installation, sculpture and sound. Rooted in the themes of time, space and light, Cicconi’s practice often draws connections between art and science. He employs cutting-edge technology and innovative materials to create conceptually profound projects that transport viewers into a metaphysical, timeless dimension.

The Milan- and Palermo-based artist has produced large-scale public art installations in Italy, notably AKR, an ongoing series of light sculptures that replicate the aurora borealis. AKR was showcased at the Palazzo Reale, Sicily, and Terrazza del Pincio, Rome in 2023.

In recent years, his works have been exhibited at institutions across China, Mexico, Georgia, the United Kingdom, and Italy, including the MuMe Museum in Messina, where they were displayed alongside two masterpieces by Italian artist Caravaggio.

https://riyadhart.sa/en/artworks/akr-iii-2024

https://riyadhart.sa/en/artists/edoardo-dionea-cicconi