Systems Theatre 00001 (NEOM)

Looking at complex systems of gravity, space, time, and material, Systems Theatre 00001 (NEOM) combines sculpture, architecture, horticulture, and performance in a singular experience.

With hidden gardens, meandering paths, architecturally integrated soundscapes, and a gravity-defying bridge, the piece rethinks preconceived ideas of art, architecture, gardens, and theatres to create an occupiable sculpture that is meant to be explored spatially and conceptually.

The piece uses rammed-earth technology as a core building material, with a focus on developing the technology to use the quartz arenite sand of the Al-Nafūd desert. The architectural space is meant to be used for music and dance performances in an entirely unique setting.

In the centre of the space is a suspended kinetic sculpture. The piece—made almost entirely of recycled materials—moves with data from sensors placed throughout nature found in NEOM, including wind sensors on the Red Sea, computer-vision tracking of birds and clouds, and NEOM’s custom-built satellite launched on behalf of the project.