Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, in collaboration with the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta, has launched Deliberate Pauses—Dubai’s largest site-specific public art installation—by renowned Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou.
Commissioned by Alserkal Arts Foundation, the installation is part of the ongoing ‘Dubai Public Art’ initiative, which aims to position the city as a global open-air art gallery.
Set against the backdrop of Hatta’s serene Leem Lake, the installation features five reflective red metallic discs strategically placed along hiking trails in the Hajar Mountains. Blending seamlessly with the rugged terrain, the discs serve as contemplative markers, inviting visitors to slow down, reflect, and engage with the cultural and environmental richness of the region.
Curated by Faysal Tabbarah, Associate Professor at the American University of Sharjah, the work reflects a deep respect for Hatta’s heritage and landscape. It also contributes to the broader vision of transforming Hatta into a cultural and tourism destination.
Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, described the installation as a powerful symbol of the Authority’s commitment to supporting local talent and enriching Dubai’s visual identity through public art.
Al Mazrou, known for her material-driven, conceptual sculptures, emphasized the value of stillness:
“In the mountains of Hatta, I pause deliberately—not to find answers, but to question the need for them.”
Deliberate Pauses not only deepens public interaction with art but also amplifies Hatta’s often-overlooked narratives—through silence, landscape, and form.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
