Opened in early April in a landmark building designed by Zaha Hadid Studio, the Black Gold Museum in Riyadh is the first institution of its kind to explore—through the lens of modern and contemporary art—the history and influence of oil on the transformation of our societies. As part of its inaugural presentation, the museum features Space Attraction by Romain Langlois.
Opened on April 7, 2026, in Riyadh, the Black Gold Museum offers a distinctive perspective on the history of oil—approaching it not from a scientific or industrial standpoint, but through its cultural, human, and symbolic dimensions. Bringing together more than 350 works—including painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and archival material—by over 170 artists from more than 30 countries, the museum highlights the profound ways in which oil has shaped societies, economies, and everyday life.
Housed in an iconic building designed by Zaha Hadid Studio, the museum unfolds across four chapters—Encounter, Dreams, Doubts, and Visions—offering an accessible and layered narrative. As curator Christian Janicot explains, this structure was conceived to make the subject approachable for all audiences, whether or not they are familiar with contemporary art.
It is within the first chapter, Encounter, dedicated to the origins and formation of oil, that Romain Langlois’ sculpture Space Attraction is presented. Standing over three feet tall, the work depicts a rock split in two, revealing a molten, luminous interior reminiscent of magma. Entirely cast in bronze, the sculpture plays on a striking contrast: the outer surface achieves a highly realistic, stone-like appearance through meticulous patination, while the interior is rendered in polished bronze, radiating a sense of inner energy.
The work belongs to a broader series in which the artist engages with forms—natural or man-made—that often go unnoticed. Rocks, branches, beams: familiar objects that Langlois reclaims, transforms, and reintroduces into our field of vision. Through this process, he invites a shift in perception, prompting a fundamental question: what are we really seeing?
By revealing a vibrant, almost living inner matter, Space Attraction resonates directly with the museum’s themes. It evokes both the geological depths where oil is formed and the invisible forces that animate matter. As the artist puts it, “everything is alive, everything is in motion, everything is in transformation. But that life must be uncovered.” This approach finds a particularly compelling context here, within a museum dedicated to exploring the visible and invisible transformations driven by oil.
Through its inclusion in this inaugural presentation, Langlois’ work enters into a broader dialogue between art, materiality, and history—contributing to a contemporary reflection on our relationship to natural resources, to the environment, and to what we often perceive as inert.
We are particularly pleased to see Romain Langlois’ work included alongside internationally recognized artists such as Doug Aitken and Alfredo Jaar. This milestone reflects the importance of sustained collaboration with the artists we represent, and our commitment to supporting the long-term visibility and institutional presence of their work.
Black Gold Museum
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Check exact location on Google Maps
