Projects for Arts AlUla (فنون العلا) // Saudi Arabia
Photography, Video, Event Documentation
Home > Art

While broadening its horizons to include Middle Eastern nations, Alto Piano has developed a special connection with the region of AlUla, which has been chosen as the focus of the new attentions of the contemporary art. The projects we had the pleasure to document are those chosen to symbolize the distinctive journey that the country is promoting through the holding of site-specific art installations, performative arts and events.

Nine Songs // Desert X

Held on a circular stage in the desert at sunset, Nine Songs constituted a site-responsive, open-air, musical theatrical performance – a world premiere collaboration set against the backdrop of the remarkable AlUla landscapes. It immersed itself in the area’s millennia-old natural, historical, and cultural heritage, marking a celebration of the pre-opening of Wadi AlFann.

Created exclusively for AlUla, “Nine Songs,” curated by Chinese musician Rui Fu, unites a world-class ensemble of performers from around the world. Fu’s vocals are complemented by new compositions on various instruments, and the collaboration with artistic co-director Farooq Chaudhry and musical director Jocelyn Pook is inspired by the ancient Chinese poetry of Chu Ci while responding to AlUla’s unique geological formations.

Photography: Agostino Osio
Photo Editing: Jacopo Nocentini
Director: Mattia Benetti
Camera: Alessandro Passamonti, Gabrio Bellotti
Assistant Camera: Fabrizio Farroni, Alessandra Miatello
Drone: Aaqib Shaikh
Video Editing: Luca Garavoglia, Alessandro Passamonti, Filippo Prestinari, Gustė Jurgaitytė
Project Manager: Martina Borgonovo
Production: Tania Caporaso
Year: 2022

Immersive Dinner // Wadi Alfann

Alto Piano was very pleased to be involved in the film and photo documentation of the Wadi AlFann Immersive Dinner Event, which also included live performances by artists Afra Atiq and Mohammad AlFaraj. The unique natural spot, desert landscape with historical and artistic undiscussed value, was the engaging location that was captured and highlighted in our reportage.

We planned a comprehensive documentation, including general wide shots of the landscape through aerial views and detailed shots through three different camera sets. We had both moving and still cameras to fully cover the performance with different angles, perspectives, and take advantage of the different camera approach, raising an interesting and dynamic rendition of the event. The approach to filming was respectful of the artists’ creative and performative vision.

Photography: Valerio Vescio
Photo Editing: Jacopo Nocentini
Director: Matteo Frittelli
Camera: Alessandro Passamonti, Gabrio Bellotti
Assistant Camera: Fabrizio Farroni, Alessandra Miatello
Drone: Aaqib Shaikh
Sound: Andrea Favia
Video Editing: Andrea Favia, Alessandro Passamonti, Filippo Prestinari, Gabrio Bellotti, Matteo Samuele Raco, Cristel Girotto
Project Manager: Martina Borgonovo
Production: Tania Caporaso, Martina Borgonovo
Year: 2023

NATHALIE HARB // RÉSONANT SHELL

The Resonant Shell (الصَدفة) was a new immersive art experience commissioned especially for the AlUla Wellness Festival 2022. Part sculpture and architecture, part soundscape and meditative space, this work offered a transformative experience. This site-specific installation offered visitors a mini-retreat, a connected physical and spiritual experience, and a moment of deep resonance with AlUla’s extraordinary landscapes. Nestled within the AlUla Oasis, guests found a tower of mudbrick and fabric connecting the ground and sky. From a spiraling staircase entering a space of acoustic isolation, visitors could find meditative silence with artistic sound works inspired by AlUla – activated by a human presence at its core.

Résonant Shell by Nathalie Harb
Résonant Shell by Nathalie Harb
Résonant Shell by Nathalie Harb

Photo: Agostino Osio
Photo Editing: Marco Dabbicco
Client: Balich Wonder Studio
Year: 2022

About these projects

Projects in collaboration with Balich Wonder Studio and Pelham Communications for events, exhibitions and art installations organized for Arts AlUla.