Expo City is the place to be this January! First, it was popping with the Bubble Run, next weekend they’re the location of the very hip Break the Block party, and now they’re turning into the stage enchanting light display with the Dhai Dubai Light Festival. Scheduled to take place from January 26 to February 4, this is the first outing of the new concept so we’re still in the dark about how stunning this light festival will look. However, the fact that it’s being co-organised by AGB Creatives – the same designers and curators who engineered Sydney’s spectacular Vivid Sydney Light Walk – we know we’re in for a glowing good time.
What to see and do at this free light festival
Here’s a glimmer of the electrifying line-up of activities and events in store during this 10-day free-to-attend festival.
1. 3D Light Projections
One of the highlights is a series of light projections called the Sisters of Desert that will be splashed across Al Wasl Plaza’s dome and the iconic Surreal Water Feature. Featuring over 200 artworks by the late Emirati artist Dhabi Juma Lamlah and other female artists from desert regions around the globe such as Rene Kulitja from Australia and South Africa’s Dr. Esther Mahlangu, the Sisters of the Desert series are a tribute to the resilience of female artists.
2. 7 interactive Installations
This inaugural edition of the festival shines a light on the talent of Emirati artists through the medium of light art. You’ll gaze upon the creations of luminaries like Mattar Bin Lahej (whose calligraphy features on the Museum of the Future’s facade), Dr. Najat Makki, Dr. Mohamed Yousif, Abdalla Almulla, Maitha Hamdan, Khalid Al Shafar and Reem Al Ghaith.
One of the 7 spectacular installations to look forward to is the Solar Canopy, a space illuminated by the presence and energy of visitors cycling on stationary bikes. Then, there’s the colourful curved structures of the Elysian Arcs, which we suspect will be a big Instagram hit. Two other pieces that will also wow visitors are the skateboarding-themed Speed of Light featuring illustrations by Emirati artist Aysha Al Hamrani, and Solar Dance – a light installation that mimics and mirrors the movements and actions of guests.
3. Workshops, talks and magical dinners
You can also participate in engaging workshops for both adults and kids. Tots dabble in 20 different activities ranging from creating lanterns to glow-in-the-dark accessories such as spectacles and bracelets.
Meanwhile, teens and grown-ups should sign up for Nikon’s Lens and Light masterclass that’ll let you in on the secret of creating light paintings using a DSLR camera’s motion blur techniques. Gulf Photo Plus will be hosting a session on after-dark smartphone photography.
Crave conversations that spark your artistic intellect? Make it a point to attend the festival’s Knowledge Sessions – exciting panel discussions by international artists that delve into the connection between art, light and culture. However, it’s the specially curated dinners amidst the magical light installations that are putting a sparkle in our eyes.
Dhai Dubai Light Festival has a charitable aspect
Need another nudge to attend this cultural event? Here’s one that will give you that warm fuzzy glow. Lights and lanterns crafted at Dhai Dubai workshops will be distributed to people in The Philippines’ Manobo Floating Villages. The light festival has tied up with the Liter of Light initiative which provides solar lighting to communities with limited or no access to electricity. Your handiwork could be a literal beacon of hope to someone!
From 6pm-11pm; visit www.dhaidubai.com for details.