An innovative project that enriches the aesthetic scene in the city center

In the heart of Dubai ... the lights tell the story of the traditional Emirati neighborhood

Innovative and sustainable lighting models took 4 months to prepare.

■ from the source

With dazzling lighting, the streets of Dubai's downtown area take the residents and visitors of the city on a journey of lights and discoveries, through the neighborhood project, which is organized in partnership between the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Emaar during the Dubai Shopping Festival.

The project includes a group of innovative and sustainable lighting models that took four months to prepare, and the project contributed to adding more vitality to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, opposite the Address Downtown Hotel, through specially installed lights, and the smart use of shading technology.

The neighborhood project was officially inaugurated yesterday by the Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai (Dubai Tourism) and the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation, Hilal Al-Marri, and the Director General of "Dubai Culture" Hala Badri.

The project - which consists of six elements that complement the traditional Emirati neighborhood scene: the railway, the majlis, the mosque, the hawai (the home courtyard), the grocery and the square - was born through a joint idea between the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation and the 'Dubai Culture' aiming to create an independent lighting project in one of the famous destinations in Dubai. , And during one of the biggest annual events.

Rich heritage

For her part, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications and Acting Executive Director of the Arts and Literature Sector at the authority, Shaima Al-Suwaidi, said, “The Dubai Lights project is an innovative event in which Dubai Culture is keen to combine its efforts with various government and private agencies in order to enrich the cultural and aesthetic scene. Of our emirate, in line with the aspirations of our inspiring leadership.

The project was inspired by the urban planning and local landmarks that characterize the traditional Emirati neighborhoods.

Its concept is derived from the heritage and rich history of homes, traditions and Emirati culture, even as Dubai strives to achieve more progress in modern life and adopt the latest technologies.

The Dubai Shopping Festival is well-known for its continuous support for local businesses and the retail sector in the city through a number of events, such as the neighborhood project, which represents a new and creative trend to highlight the work of emerging artists, and the integration of traditional and contemporary Emirati activities within the range of events offered by the festival.

This artistic installation guides visitors through light and shadows, inviting them to cross a set of visible and implicit boundaries to explore new sights and features as they wander the distinctive street in Downtown Dubai.

Seven of the country's most prominent innovators, among them emerging Emirati talents, were commissioned to produce the lighting structures for the project to be shown during the festival.

Shaima Al-Suwaidi added: “This joint work coincides with one of the sectoral goals of our updated strategy roadmap, which is to support young local talents and motivate them to continue their bidding, as Dubai Culture opened the door for the creative community to communicate with government agencies, and it was the link between emerging artists who created Artistic compositions in the neighborhood and between the organizer of the event, providing them with an ideal platform to interact, show their talents, and produce designs that mix art and lights.

The unique essence

For his part, Executive Director of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation, Ahmed Al Khaja, considered the neighborhood project “a wonderful addition to the range of events and entertainment activities offered by the current session of the Dubai Shopping Festival, as this artistic project embodies the essence and the unique nature of the traditional Emirati neighborhoods that can be found in various Across Dubai, as it invites visitors to explore the architectural landmarks and features that distinguish these neighborhoods through the innovative use of flood lighting technologies.

He added, "The creations of the neighborhood project will be familiar to the old residents of Dubai, and will also welcome visitors who will be able to stroll through an entire neighborhood just by following the different lighting fixtures found along Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard."

The neighborhood project lights will be turned on daily at sunset until January 30th.

The neighborhood is one of the many events in the Dubai Shopping Festival, organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation.

Dubai residents and visitors can enjoy this free event at the start of the new year.

Diverse talents

The neighborhood project was conceptualized and designed by Rawda Al Sayegh, Yara Manla, Raghad Al-Ali, Fatima Al-Awadi, Eman Al Rahma, Ahmed Jeissah and Abdullah Khoury.

The group, which includes several disciplines, such as multimedia design, photography, architecture and product design, succeeded in integrating its diverse talents to complete the project.

The seven individuals were chosen because of their diverse and multidisciplinary skills, in addition to their participation in the art scene in Dubai, as they began laying the foundations for the project in the Al Safa Library for Art and Design, which was recently renewed in the Al Safa area, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, and which formed a source of inspiration for this artwork due to its unique nature. .

The team was able to overcome the challenges posed by the "Covid-19" pandemic to the processes of discussing ideas and uniting efforts, as each member of the team contributed his own unique skills and experiences during the design and implementation process.

The neighborhood project is a dynamic and artistic experience that moves visitors through the Downtown Dubai area through a series of light installations.

The neighborhood project was launched as a result of a thought process to study the need for more sustainability and recycling, as the world became more aware of these two issues with the emergence of the need to reduce waste and reduce excessive consumption during the "Covid-19" pandemic.

The fully sustainable neighborhood project uses recycled and reused lights from the previous sessions of the Dubai Shopping Festival. The lights used in the “Hawi” came from old lighting of palm trees that were distributed throughout the city, while the birds used in the “howi” and the track came from structures and light fixtures. An old.

6 items

The neighborhood project has six components and is expressed in various ways:

■ Al-Sikkah: An alleyway connecting homes in traditional Emirati neighborhoods.

Photosynthesis translates the railroad experiment into a path featuring reflective birds over lampposts.

The Majlis: An essential space in every Emirati home, where family, friends and guests gather.

The composition highlights the main elements of the council.

The mosque: where the people of the neighborhood gather to pray.

Photosynthesis consists of arches representing a mihrab that point to the direction of the qiblah, and the layers of the arches diminish in size to form a kind of spiritual pathway.

■ the sphere: the traditional courtyard, the heart of the house.

Photosynthesis involves birds, colorful lights and swings hanging from the tree, representing the various activities that can occur around it.

Grocery: A store where neighborhood residents of all ages go to buy their supplies.

The installation uses layered panels with pendant lights.

The arena: a playground between houses and alleys.

The lighting embodies several games as a backdrop for the neighborhood on the other side of the street.

Shaima Al-Suwaidi:

"The artistic work supports the young local talents and motivates them to continue their efforts."

Ahmed Al Khaja:

"The project is a special addition to the activities of the current edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival."

- 7 creative people, including Emirati talents, produced the lighting structures for the project.

Follow our latest local and sports news, and the latest political and economic developments via Google news