
The 'Arts Tower' shines along Riyadh's Sports Boulevard
The colorful 'Arts Tower' includes several different elements, shapes and colors. Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem said the purpose of the landmark is to continuously change with the sun, clouds and different angles.
The 83.5-meter icon has 691 colored panels to bring the façade to life.
Gharem said he was inspired to include so many colors based on the spectrum of colors from older homes. The triangular shape is for people to feel a sense of belonging, and the shape represents a constant presence in Saudi civilization.
'The wind taught me that no project should resist nature but rather learn humility before it. Therefore, the number of slices was not just a technical decision, but a dialogue with the air, with life, with our limits as human beings,' Gharem said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Baha Summer Season Revitalizes Heritage
Al-Baha Summer Season has breathed new life into the region's heritage by showcasing its unique environment and traditional way of life. The region's heritage villages and popular markets attracted a large number of visitors eager to immerse themselves in history and experience cultural traditions, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The villages and markets hosted a wide array of cultural events and activities, including folk games, traditional dances, and various hands-on workshops on sewing, embroidery, handicrafts, and Arabic calligraphy. Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about agriculture and construction, enjoy popular local dishes, and witness the recycling of traditional crafts. The programs also featured entertainment and educational competitions for children, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for all ages. With over 194 archaeological and heritage sites, including 72 heritage villages, Al-Baha Region is a significant cultural and economic driver. These sites, which have become popular tourist destinations, align with the Kingdom's national tourism vision by celebrating the region's historical legacy and hosting a variety of festivals throughout the year.


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Arva Ahmed takes Dubai's food stories from streets to screens with OSN and ‘Ditch the Silver'
DUBAI: For more than a decade, Arva Ahmed has led curious diners through Dubai's backstreets with her company Frying Pan Adventures. Now, she is taking those stories to a new audience with 'Ditch the Silver,' a YouTube series that has grown into a 10-part exclusive docuseries for OSN and OSN+. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Launched in late 2023 in collaboration with Ti22 Films, 'Ditch the Silver' shines a light on food cultures that thrive away from the city's fine-dining glare. 'We're not trying to go viral, but we're just trying to document the food stories the way they are,' said Ahmed in an interview with Arab News. These stories range from Ethiopian vegan fasting platters to why Dubai is a contender for the world's number one bread city. A post shared by Arva Ahmed (@ The OSN series, filmed over an intense three weeks, dives deeper into those narratives. In the process, Ahmed has witnessed a shift in Dubai's dining scene: High-powered chefs leaving corporate hotel kitchens to open intimate, accessible eateries. She points to a former Cantonese hotel chef now serving an expanded menu in Oud Metha, an Italian chef experimenting with fermented date fiber and a Moroccan cook inspired by his grandmother. 'Luxury food is becoming accessible without losing authenticity,' she said. Ahmed's route to the screen was not straightforward. The daughter of Indian immigrants, she grew up in Deira with humble, frugal parents who valued simplicity over show. After an MBA in the US and a career as a strategy consultant, she returned to Dubai to join her father's business — but a growing love for food, nurtured during her student years abroad, kept pulling her away. A post shared by Frying Pan Adventures (@fryingpanadventures) Raised on her nutritionist mother's home-cooked Indian meals, Ahmed only began to think seriously about food when she moved overseas. She learned to cook with a roommate, ran a small Indian takeout service and discovered that feeding people helped her connect beyond her usual circles. That curiosity deepened in New York City and Houston, where she sought out small, authentic eateries over flashy venues. In 2012, unable to ignore her passion, Ahmed launched Frying Pan Adventures, offering walking food tours through Dubai's lesser-known neighborhoods. But by 2023, she felt she had plateaued. An invitation from Ti22 Films' founder Reem Al-Marzouqi to join an on-air presenters' boot camp changed her perspective. 'I'd always dreamed of a TV food show, but I was waiting for someone to hand it to me on a silver platter,' said Ahmed. 'The boot camp made me realize that dream wasn't relevant anymore — YouTube had democratised content, and I had to take ownership.' The answer was 'Ditch the Silver': A weekly video series built like a miniature food tour, each episode tying together multiple restaurants with a thematic thread. It has taken Ahmed beyond the set routes of her walking tours, forcing her to explore new corners of the country and uncover under-told stories. Her recommendations for GCC visitors reflect that ethos. She points to Laki, a small Safa eatery run by Chef Mary and Chef Mae ('the food's full of love — just be patient with the air conditioning'); Yin Kigi, the Cantonese gem in Oud Metha; and Moto Moto, an Omani-inspired food truck in Al-Khawaneej serving mishkak skewers and slow-cooked shuwa from the owners' home garden. For Ahmed, whether she is guiding a tour group or presenting to camera, the mission is the same: To celebrate the many food cultures that call Dubai home. 'It's an incredible time where some of these stories are popping off, and you need to kind of celebrate them, because it's really hard right now to get your voice heard in a market that's so saturated,' she said.


Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi crown prince chairs cabinet of ministers session in NEOM
Saudi Arabia's caves could be next tourism wonder MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia is home to a vast network of caves and geological cavities formed over millions of years. The sites provide dramatic natural formations and rich stories about the region's history. With their adventure appeal, scientific value, and environmental diversity, these underground wonders are emerging as a promising tourism frontier, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. In an interview with Arab News, cave researcher and adventurer Hassan Al-Rashidi shared his experiences exploring these hidden landscapes, describing how his passion began in childhood. Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth's age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied) He said: 'The real starting point came in 2018 when I began filming and uploading videos for some friends, which received great interaction from the public. This encouraged me even more, especially after people from across the Kingdom reached out (by) asking to explore unknown sites.' Among the many sites he has visited, Al-Rashidi enthuses over Abu Al-Waul Cave in Madinah's Khaybar Governorate, east of Al-Thamad village, as the most remarkable for depth and natural formations. It lies in the middle of Harrat Khaybar and is surrounded by other notable caves such as Maker Al-Shaiheen, Umm Jersan, Abu Jamajem, and Al-Sibaa Cave. HIGH LIGHTS • With their adventure appeal, scientific value, and environmental diversity, caves are emerging as a promising tourism frontier, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. • Cave exploration carries risks such as possible collapses, which may be avoided by steering clear of unstable zones and exiting immediately if danger is detected. • Some caves in the Kingdom remain closed to the public for safety, or to protect their archeological value. Abu Al-Waul is the longest cave discovered in the Kingdom so far, stretching 5 km, and is still being studied, Al-Rashidi said. According to researcher Hassan Al-Rashidi caves are 'a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.' (Supplied) The interiors of caves vary, with stalactites and stalagmites creating unique and stunning visuals. Wildlife sightings are common, and Al-Rashidi said: 'We have observed animals such as foxes, hyenas, and wolves, which use caves as a safe shelter during the day, coming out at night to hunt and bring food for their young.' He added that cave exploration required careful preparation, from modern distance-measuring devices, and ropes and supports for slippery areas, to food, water, first aid kits, sturdy footwear, helmets, and lighting with spare batteries. Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth's age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied) Al-Rashidi added that volcanic caves form when the outer layer of lava cools while the inner part remains molten and flows onward, while calcareous sandstone caves date back millions of years and are formed from compacted sand layers shaped by rainfall and other climatic factors. Cave exploration carries risks such as possible collapses, which may be avoided by steering clear of unstable zones and exiting immediately if danger is detected. Some caves in the Kingdom remain closed to the public for safety, or to protect their archaeological value. Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth's age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. (Supplied) Highlighting their cultural and economic potential, Al-Rashidi called caves 'a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.' He believes Saudi Vision 2030 — supported by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — offers the Kingdom a real chance to develop cave tourism as a sustainable economic resource. He said: 'Caves can be an economic resource through tourism and scientific research, as well as by opening employment and educational opportunities, in addition to (being the basis of) national research for the benefit of the nation's citizens.' According to researcher Hassan Al-Rashidi caves are 'a rare geological, tourism, and environmental treasure that must be preserved.' (Supplied) Caves attract a diverse mix of local and international visitors, from thrill-seekers to scientists drawn by the chance to study the Earth's age, examine rock layers, and observe the creatures within. Al-Rashidi said that developing the sector will require improved infrastructure and the imposition of strict safety measures, in addition to providing engaging visitor experiences while encouraging strong public awareness of preserving the natural sites.