From the company that brought us some of the most heavily used mood images for pitch decks, teamLab are soon to be opening a new 17,000 square metre, 20 metre high digital art space in Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi.
We haven't heard much about what's planned for inside, but we do know construction is nearing completion and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) social media content has been gearing up towards something special.
In a recently launched social and TV ad campaign, 'Be Moved in a Thousand Ways' which features superstars such as Oprah Winfrey, Norman Foster, Idris Elba and His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak - it shows the stars using brainwave technology to produce generative art with massive LED structures in the background.
Very shnazzy. See the ad below.
Raising the bar
It's an exciting time to be in the Digital Experience space.
With this world class experience coming to the UAE and being so closely linked to Abu Dhabi's cultural development, I'm hoping to see something unique and special when it opens doors end of 2024.
We're lucky to have clients in the Middle East who always want the biggest, best and fastest.
With this renewed focus on the intersection of art & innovation we will see more investment in Digital Experiences enabling us to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Personalise, customise and surprise
In my recent projects, I've been pushing personalisation, customisation, and leveraging big data for visualisations.
Like in the 'Be Moved in a Thousand Ways' ad above, integrating user-collected data into the experience makes it more immersive and unique for each visitor.
This trend of making visitors feel like they are part of the exhibition is something I believe will be a key feature at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi.
Here are my five predictions of what also to expect :)
1. Immersive multi-sensory installations
teamLab is renowned for its immersive art experiences that engage multiple senses.
Visitors can expect installations that combine visual, auditory, and tactile elements to create a fully immersive environment. These installations are likely to react dynamically to visitors, making each experience unique.
Similar to their 2023 'Life is Continuous Light - Mangrove Forest' teamLab brought light and sound to a usually eerily quiet mangrove forest.
When people passed the mangroves they shone more brightly and produce a unique tone. The light of that tree then radiated out, spreading to nearby mangroves as they resonated with the same tone.
2. Integration of tech with nature
As seen from the video above, teamLab’s works often explore the relationship between technology and nature.
In Abu Dhabi, we can expect installations that incorporate natural elements like water, plants, and light, blending them with advanced technology to create stunning visual effects.
One of my favourite examples of this is in one of teamLab's permanent exhibitions in Tokyo. Where the artworks interact with the participants and the water continually flows.
3. Environmental phenomena as themes
The theme of environmental phenomena will be central to the artworks.
I believe each piece will be designed to respond to its local environment and visitor interactions, creating a dynamic and ever-changing experience.
We saw this in Jeddah at the borderless collab.
Depending on the visitor movements, shoals of fish would swim around them providing one-off experiences for each visitor.
Cute.
4. Cultural connection
With the UAE's unique culture, I hope some installations at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will be tailored to the region's cultural and environmental context.
We've all heard tales of camels, sand dunes, and pearl diving. But maybe this innovative art collaboration will let these stories be retold in a new light.
One place that nailed this was the Vision Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
It documented the life of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum from young boy to visionary leader.
The emotional and refreshing storytelling about a leader I admire was executed brilliantly.
5. Educational and inspirational spaces
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi aims to be more than just an art exhibit; it will be an educational and inspirational space that will peak curiosity and creativity.
As each visit offers a unique experience, with the artworks constantly evolving based on the environment. We should expect workshops, interactive learning opportunities, and spaces designed to inspire both children and adults.
Interactive learning opportunities are something I've seen done well at Arte Museum's Live Desert Canvas in Dubai mall. Here we were able to sketch and draw our own UAE animals and watch them become animated, brought to life and walk between frames in the gallery.
Final thoughts
I'm buzzin' to see it open.
The new art centre is set to blend art, technology, and the unique culture of the UAE.
Expect immersive, personalised experiences. Think multi-sensory installations, tech-nature integrations, and local stories told in fresh new ways.
teamLab Phenomena will push boundaries and inspire future projects. As a Digital Experience consultant, I can't wait to see how these trends evolve.
If you're as intrigued as I am, let's connect. Let's explore how we can bring similar innovative ideas to your projects.
And don’t miss out on experiencing this phenomenal art centre when it opens!
From the company that brought us some of the most heavily used mood images for pitch decks, teamLab are soon to be opening a new 17,000 square metre, 20 metre high digital art space in Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi.
We haven't heard much about what's planned for inside, but we do know construction is nearing completion and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) social media content has been gearing up towards something special.
In a recently launched social and TV ad campaign, 'Be Moved in a Thousand Ways' which features superstars such as Oprah Winfrey, Norman Foster, Idris Elba and His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak - it shows the stars using brainwave technology to produce generative art with massive LED structures in the background.
Very shnazzy. See the ad below.
Raising the bar
It's an exciting time to be in the Digital Experience space.
With this world class experience coming to the UAE and being so closely linked to Abu Dhabi's cultural development, I'm hoping to see something unique and special when it opens doors end of 2024.
We're lucky to have clients in the Middle East who always want the biggest, best and fastest.
With this renewed focus on the intersection of art & innovation we will see more investment in Digital Experiences enabling us to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Personalise, customise and surprise
In my recent projects, I've been pushing personalisation, customisation, and leveraging big data for visualisations.
Like in the 'Be Moved in a Thousand Ways' ad above, integrating user-collected data into the experience makes it more immersive and unique for each visitor.
This trend of making visitors feel like they are part of the exhibition is something I believe will be a key feature at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi.
Here are my five predictions of what also to expect :)
1. Immersive multi-sensory installations
teamLab is renowned for its immersive art experiences that engage multiple senses.
Visitors can expect installations that combine visual, auditory, and tactile elements to create a fully immersive environment. These installations are likely to react dynamically to visitors, making each experience unique.
Similar to their 2023 'Life is Continuous Light - Mangrove Forest' teamLab brought light and sound to a usually eerily quiet mangrove forest.
When people passed the mangroves they shone more brightly and produce a unique tone. The light of that tree then radiated out, spreading to nearby mangroves as they resonated with the same tone.
2. Integration of tech with nature
As seen from the video above, teamLab’s works often explore the relationship between technology and nature.
In Abu Dhabi, we can expect installations that incorporate natural elements like water, plants, and light, blending them with advanced technology to create stunning visual effects.
One of my favourite examples of this is in one of teamLab's permanent exhibitions in Tokyo. Where the artworks interact with the participants and the water continually flows.
3. Environmental phenomena as themes
The theme of environmental phenomena will be central to the artworks.
I believe each piece will be designed to respond to its local environment and visitor interactions, creating a dynamic and ever-changing experience.
We saw this in Jeddah at the borderless collab.
Depending on the visitor movements, shoals of fish would swim around them providing one-off experiences for each visitor.
Cute.
4. Cultural connection
With the UAE's unique culture, I hope some installations at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will be tailored to the region's cultural and environmental context.
We've all heard tales of camels, sand dunes, and pearl diving. But maybe this innovative art collaboration will let these stories be retold in a new light.
One place that nailed this was the Vision Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
It documented the life of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum from young boy to visionary leader.
The emotional and refreshing storytelling about a leader I admire was executed brilliantly.
5. Educational and inspirational spaces
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi aims to be more than just an art exhibit; it will be an educational and inspirational space that will peak curiosity and creativity.
As each visit offers a unique experience, with the artworks constantly evolving based on the environment. We should expect workshops, interactive learning opportunities, and spaces designed to inspire both children and adults.
Interactive learning opportunities are something I've seen done well at Arte Museum's Live Desert Canvas in Dubai mall. Here we were able to sketch and draw our own UAE animals and watch them become animated, brought to life and walk between frames in the gallery.
Final thoughts
I'm buzzin' to see it open.
The new art centre is set to blend art, technology, and the unique culture of the UAE.
Expect immersive, personalised experiences. Think multi-sensory installations, tech-nature integrations, and local stories told in fresh new ways.
teamLab Phenomena will push boundaries and inspire future projects. As a Digital Experience consultant, I can't wait to see how these trends evolve.
If you're as intrigued as I am, let's connect. Let's explore how we can bring similar innovative ideas to your projects.
And don’t miss out on experiencing this phenomenal art centre when it opens!