In this episode of The afikra Podcast, host Mikey Muhanna talks to the director of Diriyah Art Futures, the MENA region’s first hub dedicated to New Media Arts, established by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. Haytham Nawar discusses DAF’s focus on the intersection between art, science, and technology, aiming to create a hub for new media and digital art in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The conversation covers the hub’s emerging artists program, which includes mentorship, workshops, and exhibitions, as well as the challenges of building and sustaining such an innovative institution. Nawar also delves into the history of New Media Arts in the Arab world and shares insights on the role of AI in contemporary art practices.

00:00 Introduction
01:04 Exploring Art Futures and New Media Arts
02:57 The Importance of art education in the Arab region
05:29 Inside the Diriyah Art Futures hub
07:02 Emerging New Media Artists Programme and pedagogical approach
16:21 Historical Context of New Media Arts
21:55 Challenges and future of New Media Arts in the Arab World
27:29 Inaugural Exhibition: Art Must Be Artificial
33:24 The Role of AI in art and ethical considerations
37:50 Future vision and sustainability of Diriyah Art Futures
42:30 Final thoughts

Haytham Nawar is an Egyptian artist, designer, scholar, and educator. He is the director of Diriyah Art Futures, the MENA region’s first hub dedicated to New Media Arts, established by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. He is also the founder and director of Cairotronica, a festival of electronic and new media arts in Cairo.

Connect with DAF 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dafmoc/

Learn more about Diriyah Art Futures 👉 https://daf.moc.gov.sa/en

Hosted by: 
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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