ISEA2026 transforms Dubai into citywide canvas with more than 100 digital art showcases across 20 locations

Dubai: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has revealed details of the artistic programme for the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026), which Dubai is hosting until 15 November under the theme ‘ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data and Identity’. The programme features more than 100 artistic showcases across over 20 locations throughout Dubai, including installations, performances and interactive experiences by creatives from around the world. It explores the intersections of art, science and technology while highlighting the relationship between people, place, identity and the environment through contemporary perspectives that extend beyond traditional forms of artistic expression. By extending into historic neighbourhoods, cultural destinations and public spaces, the artistic programme highlights Dubai Culture’s efforts to achieve the objectives of the Digital Art Roadmap, support talent and encourage research, experimentation and innovation. It also seeks to strengthen the presence of digital art in everyday life and create opportunities for audiences to experience artworks, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global cultural reference, a leader in innovation and a driver of the creative economy rooted in Emirati heritage. Throughout the current edition, the largest in the symposium’s history, a range of cultural and heritage destinations across Dubai will host innovative and diverse artistic experiences, giving audiences opportunities to discover and engage with digital art beyond traditional exhibition spaces. At Al Shindagha, Carla Elias and Jolly Damper present Sabella sf., an interactive installation exploring the relationship between humans and robots. Its tentacles respond to visitors’ movements, creating a visual and physical dialogue between the audience and the artwork. Meanwhile, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood will showcase KLIMATON by Adnan Softić and Nina Softić, which transforms climate data from the Arctic into sounds that audiences can interact with, connecting different geographical locations and highlighting technology’s role in deepening understanding of environmental change. Diverse themes Kanvas will showcase Fantomatyka by Sandro Bocci, which explores the relationship between light, matter and perception through imagery captured using real fluids, optical phenomena and modified lenses, without computer-generated effects or artificial intelligence. Dr Ioannis Galanopoulos Papavasileiou will also present Here There Are Lions, inspired by ancient maps and phrases historically used to identify unknown territories. The work combines astronomical data, photography and speculative visualisation to explore possibilities for mapping and understanding space. At the Theatre of Digital Art (TODA), Isaac Sullivan and Salem Rashid Skourlis will present Curator Cult, which examines the relationship between humans and machines through an AI system called ‘Chyron’, used to generate lyrics for the performance. The Foundry will host a selection of artistic experiences, including Virtual Database Pavilion (VDP) by Rimeo Lee (Sangwook Lee), which combines laser architecture and mixed reality, allowing visitors to move between physical and virtual environments. MORAKANA (Tiri Kananuruk and Sebastián Morales) will present Cumulus, which uses a solar-powered device and satellite imagery to track clouds crossing the Mexico–US border. Majid Sarnayzadeh will showcase UAE Olfactory mapping network, drawing on research and interviews about fragrance and scent practices to examine connections between heritage, sensory memory, everyday rituals and shared spaces, while highlighting the role of digital tools in documenting and exploring these relationships. Etihad Museum will feature Alaintiqalat (Transitions) by Niko Kapa, which brings together Islamic geometric patterns and the biological rhythms of the human body. Using data from breathing, heartbeats and brain activity, the artist creates evolving visual patterns that reflect the diversity of human experiences and perceptions. Al Safa Art and Design Library will present Imprint by Angela Ferraiolo, which uses two interacting AI models to generate constantly evolving three-dimensional visual compositions shaped by their relationship. The library will also host World Without End by Patrick Lichty, an immersive virtual reality experience inspired by The Little Prince and reimagined through an Arabic cultural lens, inviting audiences into contemplative and interactive virtual worlds. Immersive experiences ARTE Museum Dubai will showcase a selection of digital artworks, including Constellations by Megha Sachdeva, inspired by astronomical imagery captured by NASA’s Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. The work offers an immersive audiovisual experience that responds to audience movements. Faisal Anwar will present Common Sky: Breathe, An Evolving Ecology of Light and Data, combining environmental data, ancestral knowledge s