Dubai, February 1, 2025 – As the UAE celebrates the ‘Year of Community’ in 2025, a groundbreaking exhibition, World Unseen, was inaugurated yesterday at the Al Shindagha Historic District during the Sikka Art & Design Festival. Launched in collaboration with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Kalimat Foundation, the exhibition marks a significant stride toward inclusivity in the arts, providing a space where individuals with vision loss can experience and engage with photography in innovative ways.

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, the Sikka Art & Design Festival runs from January 31 to February 9, 2025. The World Unseen exhibition aims to challenge conventional perspectives on visual storytelling and offer a unique, immersive experience to all visitors.

A Vision for Accessibility in the Arts

With an estimated 600,000 individuals in the UAE experiencing vision loss, including 27,000 who are completely blind, the World Unseen exhibition was designed with accessibility at its core. It features tactile elements, audio descriptions, and interactive workshops that allow visually impaired attendees to engage with art beyond sight.

One of the most distinguished contributors to the exhibition is Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Muhammed Muheisen, whose work captures powerful human stories from around the world. His participation adds depth to the exhibition, highlighting how photography can transcend visual barriers and become an inclusive medium.

Press Conference and Key Discussions

During the press conference held yesterday at the Visitor Center in Al Shindagha Museum, industry leaders and advocates for accessibility in the arts gathered to discuss the role of technology in making creative spaces more inclusive. The discussion, themed ‘Seeing Differently: How Technology is Making Art Accessible to the Visually Impaired,’ explored the transformative power of art when adapted for all audiences.

Speaking at the event, representatives from Dubai Culture, Kalimat Foundation, and Canon Middle East & Turkey emphasized the importance of action over aspiration in fostering an inclusive society.

Inclusive Initiatives at the Exhibition

For the first time, World Unseen features workshops specially designed for visually impaired participants, led by Canon Academy. These workshops introduce innovative techniques in photography and visual arts, enabling attendees to engage with the creative process in a tangible way.

Key speakers at the exhibition include:

• Muhammed Muheisen – Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, who shared insights on visual storytelling beyond sight.
• Amna Khamis Al Mazmi – Director of Kalimat Foundation for Children Empowerment, who discussed the foundation’s ARA initiative, aimed at empowering visually impaired individuals through literature.
• Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan – Managing Director of Canon Middle East & Turkey, who highlighted how technology can foster inclusivity in the arts.

Local Talents and Capturing Unique Moments

The exhibition also showcases the work of local photographers, each capturing distinct moments that tell compelling stories:

• Mustapha Azab – Documenting the serene morning routines of camel caravans in Abu Dhabi.
• Yagoub Yousef Al Hammadi – Showcasing a dramatic moment in the world of falconry against the backdrop of Al Qudra Desert.
• Naim Chidiac – Presenting an action shot of an off-road biker in the Dakar race.
• Bernard Jouaret – Featuring an inspiring photograph of Tala Al Aamar, a blind girl reading a braille book from the ARA initiative.

The Road Ahead: Fostering Inclusivity in the Arts

As the UAE continues to embrace diversity and inclusivity, the World Unseen exhibition serves as a model for how artistic spaces can be transformed to accommodate all individuals. The discussions held at the press conference shed light on the broader implications of inclusivity, emphasizing that barriers in the arts mirror broader societal challenges in equity and representation.

Institutions, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to take actionable steps towards creating a more inclusive world—one where the arts serve as a bridge, rather than a barrier, to shared experiences.