Art reshapes the commuting experience in Riyadh

'Al-Eqtisadiah' from Riyadh

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 23:34 | 2 minutes read

Art has become part of daily life in the Saudi capital Riyadh, as visiting an artwork is no longer a destination in itself; rather, it can now be encountered while crossing a pedestrian bridge, on the way to a metro station, or while moving between neighborhoods of the city. This reflects the philosophy of the Riyadh Art program, which aims to integrate art into daily life and make it part of the urban landscape experienced by residents and visitors.

Tue, 10 2026

Integrating art into the urban landscape

This falls within the targets of the Riyadh Art program, one of Riyadh's major projects, which aims to enrich the urban landscape through permanent artworks distributed across the city, enhancing the presence of art in public spaces and improving quality of life. The works are spread across streets, squares, parks, and public transport stations, becoming part of the daily experience rather than a separate destination. The artwork 'Running into the Beyond' by Italian artist Angelo Bonello clearly embodies this approach. It was placed on a pedestrian bridge over King Abdulaziz Road, turning an ordinary crossing point into a space that interacts with the city's movement and rhythm. Pedestrians view it from different distances and angles, while drivers experience it as they pass underneath, making it part of the daily scene rather than an independent destination.

Mon, 09 2026

Artworks accompany daily life

In the King Abdullah Financial District, the artwork 'Family Tree' by Indian artist Subodh Gupta offers a different perspective on the relationship between people and the city, using stainless steel household utensils to evoke the memory of daily life and transform familiar details into an artwork that interacts with public space. Its location in one of the capital's most prominent economic centers reflects the presence of art in places where people live, work, and commute. The vision is not limited to contemporary works but extends to a permanent collection featuring works by Saudi and international artists distributed across various locations in Riyadh, making art discovery a renewed experience that accompanies residents in their daily lives, whether during commutes, routine activities, or visits to public facilities.

Public art as an element of urban planning

This approach aligns with a growing global trend that views public art as an element of urban planning, not merely an aesthetic addition. In Riyadh, the concept is realized by linking artworks to the city's infrastructure, including bridges, transport stations, squares, and parks, making the works part of the urban landscape and the memory of the place. In this sense, the road in Riyadh no longer merely leads to an artwork; rather, the artwork is present along the road itself, in an experience that reflects the city's transformation toward more vibrant and interactive public spaces where art is part of daily life details.