Reported: 7 November 2026
Dubai Culture chief opens 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art
7 November 2026 , Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), inaugurated the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai), running under the theme “ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity”.
Organised as the symposium’s largest-ever edition, the event brings together artists, researchers, innovators and specialists worldwide to explore how art, science and technology can expand creative expression and deepen cultural understanding.
As part of the opening, Her Highness launched an interactive “ELYAH” show at ARTE MUSEUM Dubai, described by organisers as inspired by Dubai’s celestial heritage. The experience combines light, music, performance and digital technology, inviting participants to interact with an interactive star and view a visual sequence linking people, place and identity.
Dubai Culture also said the opening was accompanied by a projection show on the façade of Burj Khalifa, featuring visual compositions inspired by stars and light and aligned with the symposium’s digital identity.
Programme details
ISEA2026 includes an in-person Artistic Programme featuring more than 100 artworks across Dubai and an Online Academic Programme accessible to international audiences, with organisers citing 145 academic papers, more than 50 artist talks and conversations, and over 10 workshops. The symposium runs until 15 November, covering themes including “Celestial Dialogues”, “Charting Constellations”, “Eco-Tech Futures” and “Starlinked Worlds”.
Source: Dubai Media Office.