Diriyah Art Futures unveils cohort for first Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency

Diriyah Art Futures announced the first cohorts of artists and scholars who will take part in the residency. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 March 2025
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Diriyah Art Futures unveils cohort for first Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Art Futures is launching its inaugural Mazra’ah Media Arts Residency, set to run from April to July, 2025, with a second three-month session in autumn.

Billed as a new media arts hub, Diriyah Art Futures announced the first cohorts of artists and scholars who will take part in the residency.

Seven creatives will participate in the first session: UK-based artist Dr. Stanza; Indian artist Harshit Agrawal; Saudi artists Arwa Yahya Alneami, Reem Alnasser, and Reem Alfagih; Japanese curator and scholar Mizuho Yamazaki; and German scholar Anett Holszheid. 

Set against Diriyah’s historic farms and Riyadh’s evolving environment, participants will develop their projects under the theme “High-Resolution Dreams of Sand,” considering the impact of technology on natural and constructed landscapes. Their work will be documented in a publication and the program will culminate in a series of public engagement programming to give audiences insights on their research and explorations. 

The program offers residents access to labs and studios, as well as a budget for production costs alongside a dedicated production team. 

Developed by the Saudi Museums Commission in partnership with Diriyah Co., Diriyah Art Futures, which was launched last year, aims to contribute to the new media and digital art landscape by integrating regional voices into the global art, technology and innovation conversation.

The hub opened its doors in November with an inaugural exhibition titled “Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts.”

Curated by Jerome Neutres, former director at the Reunion des Musees Nationaux-Grand Palais in Paris, the exhibition featured works by more than 30 international and regional artists exploring the history of computer art from the 1960s to the present day.

 


Ashi Studio returns to Paris Haute Couture Week with spring/summer 2026 collection

Updated 30 January 2026
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Ashi Studio returns to Paris Haute Couture Week with spring/summer 2026 collection

DUBAI: Ashi Studio, the Saudi haute couture label founded by Mohammed Ashi, presented its spring/summer 2026 collection in Paris as part of Paris Haute Couture Week, joining a growing number of Arab designers showing on the official calendar.

Look 1 by Ashi Studio. (Supplied)

Set against softly draped fabric, the show this week focused on structure and craftsmanship, with garments defined by corsetry, layered surfaces and precise construction.

Corseted bodices appeared throughout the collection, many extending outward at the hips to create architectural silhouettes that framed the body. These shapes were executed in materials ranging from matte fabric to polished, reflective finishes that resembled molded metal or lacquered leather.

Look 2 by Ashi Studio. (Supplied)

In several looks, corsets were paired with sheer skirts, fine tulle layers or elongated panels that exposed the garment’s underlying structure.

Dresses made from feather-like strands, fringe and shredded materials contrasted with the rigidity of sculpted bodices, while embroidery and beadwork were applied in bands and clustered formations across the torso and hem.

The color palette remained restrained, moving between ivory, sand, taupe, bronze, black and deep burgundy. Darker looks included structured gowns and tailored coats with exaggerated shoulders, while lighter tones were used for sculpted white dresses, sheer wrapped pieces and feathered designs.

Look 3 by Ashi Studio. (Supplied)

Accessories were kept minimal, with sculptural clutches and headpieces used sparingly to maintain focus on the garments themselves.

Ashi Studio’s presentation took place alongside shows by Arab designers including Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Georges Hobeika, Georges Chakra, Tony Ward and Rami Al-Ali, underscoring the region’s continued presence on the Paris Haute Couture Week schedule.

Look 4 by Ashi Studio. (Supplied)

Ashi’s creations have been worn by the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Penelope Cruz, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, Queen Rania of Jordan, and more.

Ashi became the first couturier from the Gulf region to join the Federation de la Haute Couture in Paris as a guest member in 2023. He also became the first designer from the Gulf to be included in the BoF 500 list, the Business of Fashion’s index of the people shaping the fashion industry in 2023.

Ashi designed the inaugural fashion line for the cabin crew of the Kingdom’s new airline, Riyadh Air, which is on track to make its maiden flight in 2025.