The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has unveiled an exciting artistic programme for the 31st edition of the International Conference on Digital and Emerging Arts, known as “ISEA 2026.” Running until the 15th of this month, the conference is themed “Al-Yah: Arts Connecting Place, Data, and Identity,” and features over 100 artworks spread across more than 20 locations in Dubai. This iteration of the event is noted as the largest in the history of the conference.
Innovative Artistic Experiences
Throughout this year’s conference, several cultural and heritage sites in Dubai are hosting a diverse array of innovative artistic experiences, allowing the public to discover and engage with digital arts beyond traditional exhibition spaces.
Highlighted Art Installations
At the Al Shindagha Museum, the artwork “Sabella SF” by artists Carla Elias Torres and Julie Damper explores the relationship between humans and robots through an interactive experience that enables the work’s robotic arms to respond to the movements of visitors, creating a visual and kinetic dialogue.
In the historic Al Fahidi district, artists Adnan Softich and Nina Softich present their piece “Klimaton Arctic / Remote Sensing Practice,” which transforms climate data from the Arctic into sounds that the audience can interact with, thereby connecting different geographical locations and highlighting technology’s role in understanding environmental changes.
The “Canvas” venue showcases the work “Phantomatica” by artist Sandro Bucci, which investigates the relationship between light, matter, and perception using real liquids and optical phenomena without reliance on computer-generated images or artificial intelligence.
Exploring New Dimensions
Artist Ioannis Galanopoulos Papavasileiou presents “Here Be Lions,” inspired by ancient maps and phrases indicating unexplored areas, utilising celestial data and photography to explore potential ways of mapping and understanding space. Meanwhile, Isaac Sullivan and Salem Rashid Skourlis showcase their work “Art Curators’ Collective” at the Digital Art Theatre – TODA, which explores the relationship between humans and machines through a system powered by artificial intelligence named “Chiron” that generates the language used in the performance.
“The Foundry” hosts various experiences, including “Virtual Database Pavilion” by artist Sangwook Lee, which combines laser-based architecture and mixed reality, allowing visitors to traverse physical and virtual environments.
Engaging with Climate and Memory
Artists Sebastian Morales Prado and Thérèse Kananurok present “Cumulus,” which employs a solar-powered device and satellite images to track cloud movement across the US-Mexico border. Additionally, Majid Sarnazadeh showcases “The Smell Mapping Network in the UAE.” Meanwhile, the Union Museum features “ALAINTIQALAT,” where artist Nico Kaba blends Islamic geometric patterns with human rhythmic data, transforming breath patterns, heartbeats, and brain activity into changing visual patterns.
At the Al Safa Art and Design Library, Angela Virayolo’s work “Imprint” employs two interacting AI models to generate constantly evolving 3D visual compositions based on their interactions. The library also features Patrick Leichti’s immersive virtual reality experience “World Without End,” inspired by “The Little Prince,” which reimagines the narrative from an Arab cultural perspective, inviting the audience to explore virtual worlds that inspire reflection and interaction.
Digital Landscapes and Cosmic Themes
“Arti Museaum Dubai” presents a collection of digital works, including “Constellations” by artist Mega Sachdeva, inspired by astronomical images captured by the Hubble and James Webb telescopes, offering an immersive audio-visual experience responsive to audience movement. Faisal Anwar’s piece “Common Skies: Breath, An Evolving Ecosystem of Light and Data” interweaves environmental data, ancestral knowledge, and artistic expression, shedding light on the human relationship with Earth’s natural systems.
Artists Isaac Sullivan, Zaid Sajdi, Nida Salmanpour, Ruby Bailey, and Michael Ang present “Cyber Listening 2,” which employs sound, computing technologies, and feedback to explore the connections between biological, digital systems, and the surrounding environment. Additionally, artist Thomas Van’s work “Verse” transforms cosmic phenomena into an immersive audio-visual experience, utilising inks, pigments, and chemical reactions alongside macro photography to represent celestial movements. Artists Widi Chang and Rodger Lou offer “Walled City,” a project employing AI to convert individual and collective visual memories into an interactive, ever-evolving virtual city, exploring the interrelation of memory and technology.
The Relationship Between Humanity and Technology
At Burj Al Wasl, the work “Soul Bound” by artists Ryoko and Alexios Radich examines the flow of energy and its exchange between nature, technology, and human perception, featuring scenes captured with advanced drone techniques that document spatial formations, weather conditions, and visual transformations over time. The Dubai Design District hosts “Within Reach” (Dubai Version) by artist Patrice Lacroix, an enormous interactive light sculpture resembling a 3D hand, exploring the relationship between human beings and technology, along with artificial intelligence.
With activities concluding on the 15th of this month, attendees can immerse themselves in an enriching experience that portrays the evolving landscape of digital art and its profound intersection with society, culture, and identity.