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Arab News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
‘The Arts Tower' brings new meaning and color to Riyadh's Sports Boulevard
RIYADH: As you venture down the promenade of the capital's latest attraction, Sports Boulevard, a new landmark is sure to catch your eye. A tower at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road bursts with color and character. The mind behind this work, named 'The Arts Tower,' is renowned Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem, who has centered the mundane within the architectural landscape early on in his career with works like 'Siraat' (The Path) and 'Road to Makkah.' Gharem told Arab News: 'This piece is a witness to the transformation that's happening here. It's a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community. I think the tower represents this transformation, especially that it, in itself, transforms one of the symbols of energy into a beacon for creative expression.' Previously one of numerous 83.5-meter electricity pylons, the tower was meant to be removed for the sake of the Sports Boulevard project. 'I asked if I could have one,' Gharem said, explaining that, as one of the nominated artists to propose a work to beautify the boulevard, he was keen to use the existing structure. • The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower's vibrant facade to life. • The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes. Author and curator Nato Thompson said about the work in a statement: 'By repurposing a symbol of energy infrastructure and turning it into a beacon of artistic expression, Gharem highlights the evolving role of culture and art in Saudi Arabia's development journey. 'It stands as living proof of the Kingdom's commitment to nurturing its cultural landscape, making arts and creativity an inseparable part of its identity just as oil and energy were in the past.' The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower's vibrant facade to life. It utilizes elements from Saudi architecture and patterns we recognize from our old homes, primarily the triangular shape. 'I was lucky that the tower was made up of triangles, which is a geometrical shape that brings together the different regions of the Kingdom and the historical features of our beginnings, so it's a symbol of unity,' Gharem said. The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes. This piece is a witness to the transformation that's happening here. It's a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community. Abdulnasser Gharem, Saudi artist 'The colors are alluding to the connection between our history and heritage and the concepts of cheerfulness and mental hospitality. A tower always forces you to look up.' For Gharem, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, like 'The Arts Tower,' constantly lifts eyes upward, motivating people to leap from the familiar into the unexpected, pushing them to embrace the future with imagination. 'The piece is based on sunlight,' he said. 'The daylight gives a completely, completely different dimension to the work compared to its urban illumination during the night. 'The colors do not just appear; they shift, transform, and come alive in different ways throughout the day. Here, nature becomes a crucial element to the structure.' Even the wind has played a part in determining the number and placement of the colored pieces used. 'It taught me that there needs to be some gaps in order to allow the piece to breathe and I was forced to humble myself upon the power of nature. 'The wind became my partner in design,' he said. 'The Arts Tower' is designed to make people feel represented and connected. While the Sports Boulevard promotes physical activity, the creative landmark serves a deeper purpose: it is a thoughtful space meant to inspire human interaction and community — and more importantly, invite them to slow down, engage, and ponder the future. 'Culture is one of the key factors for our country's development path. At the end of the day, culture is just as important as energy. It's worth investing in, and it's a certificate that the Kingdom is committed to nurturing its cultural scene,' Gharem said.
Al Arabiya
23-05-2025
- Al Arabiya
The 'Arts Tower' shines along Riyadh's Sports Boulevard
A prominent landmark along Riyadh's Sports Boulevard encapsulates the future of the city. 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.
FACT
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Everything you need to know about the Arts Tower in Saudi Arabia
Arts Tower will be the latest addition to Riyadh's skyline. Saudi Arabia is on a mission to redefine its urban landscape. From futuristic cities to breathtaking cultural hubs, the Kingdom continue to surprise the world with its megaprojects. One of the latest additions to this wave of transformation is the Arts Tower in Riyadh. Located in the Promenade within the new Sports Boulevard Project, the Arts Tower enjoys a prime location in the Saudi capital. This new landmark fuses industrial heritage with contemporary design, making it a must-see attraction in Riyadh. Arts Tower's design pays homage to the traditional electricity pylons that once lined Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road. While these pylons were once functional, the Arts Tower reimagines them as a work of art, blending industrial aesthetics with modern architectural creativity. The Arts Tower is a 30-metre-tall steel structure that stands as a testament to Riyadh's evolution. Featuring a geometric metal frame adorned with stained glass-like panels in blue, red, yellow, and orange, it stands tall and dazzles throughout the day. Its angular details may also make it reminiscent of an abstract Eiffel Tower, adding a touch of architectural brilliance to Riyadh's skyline. Beyond being an architectural marvel, the Arts Tower serves as a cultural and entertainment destination. Designed to host modern art exhibitions, cultural events, and performances, it will be a hub for artists and art lovers alike. It's poised to contribute to Riyadh's growing creative landscape, offering a unique space where innovation and tradition meet. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in world-class infrastructure, the tower stands as an example of the Kingdom's commitment to blending history and art with modernity. It not only enhances Riyadh's skyline but also showcases the country's drive and determination for a culturally rich city. GO: Visit for more information.
Arab News
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Five new destinations of Sports Boulevard project open to public in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Sports Boulevard Foundation announced on Wednesday the opening of five destinations in the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project, which promotes physical and social well-being in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The new destinations include Wadi Hanifah, the Promenade, the Arts Tower, a loop track at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, and the Sands Sports Park. These destinations will be open to visitors on Feb. 27. The Sports Boulevard Foundation said that the length of the Sports Boulevard project now stood at 83 km, with overall progress reaching 40 percent. The foundation's board of directors, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced on Wednesday the opening of the project's first phase, which was started in March 2019 as part of Riyadh's transformative developments. The foundation aims to position Riyadh among the world's most livable cities by promoting physical, mental and social well-being, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. The first destination, Wadi Hanifah, stretches 13.4 km in western Riyadh and features pedestrian paths, cycling trails and green spaces. A bridge connects Wadi Hanifah to the Promenade, which includes a 1 km pedestrian path and a 771-meter cycling path. The Promenade, which spans 4 km, also includes cycling paths, rest stops, green spaces, walking trails, playgrounds and bicycle rentals. The Arts Tower was inspired by the old high-voltage electricity towers in the Kingdom and is located at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road in Riyadh. The project includes a 20 km loop track at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, featuring cycling and pedestrian pathways. The fifth destination is the Sands Sports Park, near King Khalid International Airport. It features cycling paths, mountain bike trails and scenic hiking trails. For more details about these destinations and how to access them, visit the Sports Boulevard website at
