Riyadh: The Red Sea Global (RSG) has unveiled two major international artworks to mark the opening of the first passenger terminal hall at Red Sea International Airport. The artworks offer visitors a stunning visual experience blending local heritage with contemporary art.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the airport enjoys a strategic location within a three-hour flight for approximately 250 million people and an eight-hour flight for nearly 85% of the world’s population, making it a wide-open gateway for the Red Sea destination to the world. Since the launch of its first regular flights from Jeddah and Riyadh in September 2023, and the addition of two weekly international flights from Dubai in April 2024, the airport has become a vital entry point to the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast.
As part of its phased opening, the airport now welcomes guests with specially designed artworks reflecting the spirit of the place. “Shuttle,” a six-meter-high, nine-meter-wide installation weighing nearly one ton, was installed at the airport’s reception center. Its dynamic screens display living patterns that simulate the movement of winds and the flow of Red Sea waters, fusing nature with cutting-edge technology. The artwork draws inspiration from the traditional craft of sadu, which UNESCO inscribed on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020.
The second piece is a ‘Glass Symphony’, which comprises four glass sculptures distributed throughout the terminal. It embodies the beauty of coral reefs and seagrasses found in the Red Sea. With vibrant colors and intricate craftsmanship, the installations highlight biodiversity and underscore the importance of protecting ocean treasures-echoing Red Sea Global’s 2024 initiative to restore seagrasses through advanced ecological techniques.
Director of Arts and Culture at RSG Dalia Islam said that these works open a window onto the Kingdom’s coasts, culture, and natural environment, inspiring both visitors and the local community by reflecting the beauty and uniqueness of the Red Sea.
