Monumental Red Discs Interrupt the UAE Mountainscape:-
Five vibrant red metallic discs carve into the rocky terrain of Hatta’s mountains in the UAE, creating Deliberate Pauses—a land art trail by Emirati artist Shaikha Al Mazrou. Curated by architect Faysal Tabbarah, the installation invites viewers to experience moments of stillness, reorienting their perception of time and place.
The sculptures, some upright and others tilted into the earth, act as “hinges between past and future,” weaving cultural memory with ecological awareness. Al Mazrou describes the work as a negotiation with the landscape: “The discs amplify the land’s intricacies without dominating it.”
A Three-Year Journey of Contemplation and Collaboration:-
The project emerged from a dialogue between Al Mazrou and Tabbarah, exploring how art can preserve and transform landscapes. Over three years, the artist took intuitive walks through Hatta’s mountains, allowing the environment to guide the discs’ placement.
- Organic Design: No rigid blueprint—the land itself shaped the artwork.
- Ethical Intervention: Balancing artistic impact with respect for natural heritage.
- Cultural Layers: The site’s history as a trade and agricultural hub informs the work’s themes.
Why “Deliberate Pauses” Matters?
- Engagement Hook: The bright red discs contrast starkly with the arid landscape, creating Instagram-worthy visuals while provoking deeper thought.
- Cultural Resonance: Connects modern art with the UAE’s ecological and historical narratives.
“I want visitors to consider their place in this continuum,” says Al Mazrou—a call to mindful interaction with the environment.
