Dubai:H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, has inaugurated the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai). The event, themed "ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity," is being held in its largest-ever edition, bringing together artists, researchers, innovators, and specialists from around the world.
According to Wam, the symposium explores the intersection of art, science, and technology, aiming to expand creative expression and deepen cultural understanding. The inauguration included the launch of the ELYAH show at ARTE MUSEUM Dubai, an interactive experience inspired by Dubai's celestial heritage, which blends light, music, performance, and digital technology to explore the relationship between people, place, and identity.
The façade of Burj Khalifa was illuminated with a projection show that visually narrated the story of ELYAH, inspired by stars and the symposium's digital identity. Sheikha Latifa emphasized that hosting ISEA underscores Dubai's growing influence in the global arts community and its vision for the future of culture and the arts. She highlighted the city’s commitment to fostering international dialogue between art and technology and providing artists and researchers from diverse backgrounds opportunities to collaborate.
The symposium features an Artistic Programme with over 100 artworks across Dubai and an Online Academic Programme with 145 academic papers, more than 50 artist talks, and over 10 workshops. Running until 15th November, it explores themes such as "Celestial Dialogues," "Charting Constellations," "Eco-Tech Futures," and "Starlinked Worlds," examining the interplay of place, memory, identity, and emerging technologies.
