Dubai:The 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai) has kicked off, organized by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority in partnership with Zayed University. Under the theme 'ELYAH Constellating Place, Data, and Identity,' the symposium's Special Tracks programme hosted discussions and workshops focusing on the future of digital art archiving, the influence of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on artistic practice, and the role of creativity in raising environmental awareness.
According to Wam, the sessions brought together artists, researchers, and experts worldwide, supporting Dubai Culture's Digital Arts Roadmap. The programme aims to strengthen Dubai's position as a global cultural reference, a leader in innovation, and a driver of the creative economy, rooted in Emirati heritage.
The Special Tracks discussions set the stage for the main sessions of the Online Academic Programme, starting on November 10. This edition of ISEA is the largest in the symposium's history, highlighting collaboration among cultural, academic, and research institutions in response to rapid digital transformation. The sessions examined new approaches to preserving and documenting artworks and making them accessible to future generations while offering opportunities to explore creative coding, speculative design, and artistic experimentation.
Maitha Ali Al Blooshi, Director of the Emerging Arts Department at Dubai Culture and Executive Director of ISEA2026 Dubai, emphasized the opportunities for artists and specialists to exchange expertise, explore collaboration, and develop creative practices through the Special Tracks programme. The New Media Art Archiving Summit was a key highlight, examining artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and sustainability in preserving digital artworks.
The symposium, running until November 15, explores themes such as 'Celestial Dialogues,' 'Charting Constellations,' 'Eco-Tech Futures,' and 'Starlinked Worlds.' It combines an in-person Artistic Programme featuring over 100 artworks across Dubai with an Online Academic Programme accessible internationally, comprising academic papers, artist talks, and workshops.
