Resonance: Experience Dubai’s Cutting-Edge Multisensory Art Installation at Al Shindagha

In its ongoing mission to transform Dubai into a global cultural destination, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced an exciting new initiative that bridges art, architecture, and sound. This initiative is part of the Dubai Public Art Strategy, a significant effort designed to make the city an open-air art gallery, while simultaneously reinforcing its role on the international cultural map. The latest installation contributing to this vision is Resonance, a collaborative work by graphic designer Maryam Namvar and architect Neda Salmanpour, presented in partnership with the Alserkal Arts Foundation. Located in the culturally rich Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, Resonance blends visual art, sound, and architecture in a stunning interactive display.

The event, scheduled for April 26, offers a unique opportunity to engage with Resonance and explore the artistic and architectural nuances of the piece. This event highlights the importance of immersive art experiences, offering attendees a chance to delve deeply into the sensory layers that make up the local creative scene. In doing so, it invites reflection on the connections between sound, environment, and heritage.

Dubai Culture’s Commitment to Public Art

Dubai Culture’s ongoing commitment to fostering public art reflects the city’s transformation into a hub of cultural and artistic exchange. Central to this effort is the Dubai Public Art Strategy, which aims to integrate art into the fabric of the city, making it accessible to both residents and visitors. The strategy envisions Dubai as an open-air gallery where art is experienced daily by people from all walks of life. Resonance plays a pivotal role in this vision, as it is not just an installation but a public dialogue between the present and the past, the natural and the built environment.

The collaboration with Alserkal Arts Foundation is part of Dubai Culture’s broader objective to create spaces where art meets everyday life. By placing Resonance in the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, the programme underscores the importance of integrating art with historical sites, highlighting how modern creative expressions can coexist with Dubai’s rich cultural heritage. Through projects like Resonance, Dubai Culture aims to spark curiosity and deepen the connection between people and the urban environment.

Resonance: A Fusion of Architecture, Sound, and Art

At the core of this initiative is Resonance, an installation that merges visual art, sound, and architectural form. Designed by Maryam Namvar and Neda Salmanpour, the piece consists of three suspended metal panels that serve as both visual and auditory components. The panels are designed to capture the essence of Al Shindagha, reflecting both its physical and acoustic characteristics. By using sound as an integral part of the artwork, the artists invite viewers to engage with the piece not only through sight but also through sound, creating a multisensory experience that fosters a deeper understanding of place.

The suspended panels interact with the natural environment, moving in response to the wind. This dynamic element adds an auditory layer to the installation, allowing the sounds of the wind, water, and architecture to resonate throughout the space. The result is a living artwork, one that is constantly evolving in response to its surroundings. By incorporating these natural elements, the artists encourage viewers to reflect on how sound, space, and architecture work together to shape our perceptions of the world.

The installation draws attention to the way sound can define a place, as well as how the interplay between wind, water, and buildings creates a unique sensory environment. It is an exploration of how the auditory landscape contributes to the overall experience of a location, offering a fresh perspective on the relationship between art, environment, and architecture.

A Rich Programme of Exploration and Dialogue

The public programme accompanying Resonance on April 26 promises to be an immersive and thought-provoking experience, with a diverse range of activities that explore the intersection of sound, place, and art. A key highlight will be the panel discussion titled ‘Perception Reimagined: Sound and Place’, moderated by curator Munira Al Sayegh. This discussion will delve into the ways in which sound can influence our understanding of a place, with a particular focus on the role of sound art in shaping our perceptions of the built and natural environments.

The panel will feature Emirati sound artist Safeya Al Blooshi, whose experimental work with field recordings has garnered significant attention. Al Blooshi will discuss the role of sound in defining spaces and how different auditory experiences can evoke distinct emotions and memories. Her insights will help illuminate the ways in which sound art can deepen our understanding of the world around us, revealing hidden dimensions of our environment that are often overlooked.

Following the panel, Namvar and Salmanpour will share their creative process behind Resonance, providing an in-depth look at how the installation came to life. They will discuss the challenges of combining sound and visual elements into a cohesive artwork, as well as the artistic choices they made in response to the unique characteristics of Al Shindagha. Their conversation will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of an artwork that reflects the historical and cultural significance of the neighbourhood.

A Sensory Immersion: ‘Weightlessness Through Sound’ by Ose Ekore

Another exciting component of the event is the listening session titled ‘Weightlessness Through Sound’, led by Nigerian artist and curator Ose Ekore. This immersive session will focus on the power of sound to transport listeners to a different state of being. Ekore will guide participants through an experience designed to invoke a sense of weightlessness, using sound to explore the natural world and the elements surrounding Al Shindagha.

Ekore’s approach to sound is centered on creating shared, collective experiences. The session invites participants to engage with sound not only as an individual experience but as a communal phenomenon, emphasizing the ways in which sound can unite people and create a sense of collective immersion. By focusing on the natural sounds of the environment, Ekore will provide a fresh perspective on how we perceive our surroundings through the auditory lens.

Multisensory Engagement: The ‘In Reaction to Sound’ Walk

As part of the day’s activities, participants will also take part in a multisensory audiovisual walk titled ‘In Reaction to Sound’. This activity encourages attendees to explore the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood in a new and experimental way. Participants will be tasked with capturing images that reflect the dynamic interaction between sound, sight, and movement. The walk provides an opportunity to engage with the environment through both listening and visual storytelling, allowing attendees to explore how these senses work together in the creative process.

The walk is designed to challenge participants to think creatively about how they perceive and interact with the world around them. By blending sound and sight, the activity offers an innovative approach to storytelling and artistic expression, inviting participants to engage in a deeper exploration of their environment.

Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood: A Living Canvas for Art

The location of Resonance, the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, plays a significant role in the installation’s impact. Known for its rich cultural heritage and distinctive architecture, the area provides an ideal setting for the installation. By placing contemporary art in this historic context, Dubai Culture aims to foster a dialogue between past and present, showing how the city’s history can inspire modern artistic expressions.

The Al Shindagha district is an embodiment of Dubai’s cultural evolution, and by integrating public art projects like Resonance into its landscape, Dubai Culture highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating the city’s heritage while also embracing innovation. This approach allows for the coexistence of tradition and modernity, showing that art can be a bridge between the two.

Through events like the Resonance programme, Dubai Culture aims to not only showcase the talents of Emirati and international artists but also to engage the public in meaningful artistic experiences. By immersing the audience in a world of sound, architecture, and art, the programme offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of culture, history, and modern creativity.