In the ever-evolving cultural landscape of Dubai, artistic expression often finds new ways to challenge perception. Interrupting Patterns at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai does precisely that—disrupting conventional storytelling, reinterpreting traditions, and creating thought-provoking experiences. Through music, film, poetry, and hands-on workshops, this programme reshapes how narratives are formed and shared. It invites audiences to embrace the unexpected, breaking away from rigid structures of time and routine. Each event within this immersive series offers a compelling reason to pause, reflect, and engage with art in a way that feels deeply personal yet universally relevant.
A RAMADAN EXPLORATION OF TIME AND NARRATIVE
In Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, a unique programme “Interrupting Patterns” emerges, inviting audiences to experience time’s interruption. Ramadan naturally shifts rhythms and fosters communal reflection, making this exploration deeply relevant. This initiative examines narratives that appear when daily routines are disrupted, challenging familiar patterns. It encourages audiences to rethink inherited stories and consider alternative perspectives. Through this engagement, traditions and contemporary interpretations intersect, creating new ways to reflect. Through a diverse array of artistic expressions—including poetry, performance, film, and theatre—the programme challenges conventional storytelling methods, uncovers hidden perspectives, revives forgotten truths, and poses new questions to longstanding narratives. Notably, it also includes dedicated sessions for children, ensuring an inclusive experience for all ages.
The programme is scheduled over two weekends: March 8–9 and March 15–16, from 8 PM to midnight at Alserkal Avenue.
IMMERSIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AT THE YARD
One major highlight is live musical performances at The Yard. Ghazi & Boom.Diwan, led by Kuwaiti composer Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi, presents original compositions examining shared responsibility in social injustice. Collaborating with percussionist Berke Can Özcan (Türkiye), keyboardist Jesse Boere (Netherlands), and bassist Steven Bedford (UK), the ensemble creates a multicultural musical experience. Tanaghom features Hanan Halwany, Anas Ali Mortada, and Sandu, blending Arabic Buzuq traditions with Indian rhythms, layered with piano chords, keyboard melodies, and deep bass. These performances, rooted in historical traditions, embrace new musical interpretations, disrupting conventional listening experiences.
STITCHING HISTORY THROUGH TATREEZ EMBROIDERY
Tatreez Circles at KAVE invite participants to engage in Palestinian storytelling through patterned embroidery, passed down through generations. These sessions honor heritage in a modern context, fostering a sense of community and continuity. The art of Tatreez is more than mere decoration—it is a preservation of personal and collective histories, a tactile representation of identity, and a form of quiet resistance.
EXPERIMENTAL WORKSHOPS IN LITERATURE AND VISUAL ARTS
The programme also offers workshops that cater to literary and visual storytelling enthusiasts. “Archetypes & Echoes: Writing Through Imitation” by Avni Doshi explores mimicry and transformation in writing, providing participants with new tools for creative expression. Meanwhile, “Comics Through Light,” a hands-on workshop by illustrator and artist Mohammed Al Shaibani, guides participants in creating their own comics and experimenting with developing them on photographic film using analog processing techniques. Additionally, “Post-Processing: Capturing Prompts” by Gulf Photo Plus & Dubai Poetry Slam bridges poetry and photography, offering a multidisciplinary creative experience. These workshops do not simply teach technique; they encourage a reevaluation of how stories are told, altered, and interpreted.
CINEMA AKIL PRESENTS BOLD FILM SCREENINGS
Film enthusiasts can look forward to screenings at The Yard, presented by Cinema Akil. “The Tedious Tour of M,” directed by Hend Bakr, traces the journey of Mohammed Hafez Ragab, the writer credited with reinventing the modern Arabic short story. Another notable screening is “Divine Intervention,” directed by Elia Suleiman, an iconic work of political satire and absurdist cinema. These films, selected with precision, do not merely entertain; they provoke. They demand introspection, questioning, and even discomfort—interrupting the audience’s preconceptions just as much as the overarching programme intends.
THE VISION OF ALSERKAL AVENUE: ART AS DISRUPTION
Alserkal Avenue, established in 2008 by Emirati businessman and cultural patron Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, has evolved into a vibrant cultural district in Dubai’s Al Quoz industrial area. Home to over 90 curated, homegrown creative businesses, it stands as one of the region’s leading destinations for contemporary art. The Avenue features cutting-edge galleries and dynamic spaces for film, theatre, performance, literature, music, food, education, and wellness. Throughout the year, Alserkal Avenue offers diverse cultural experiences through extensive programming, including pop-ups, commissions, exhibitions, and festivals.
“Interrupting Patterns” exemplifies Alserkal Avenue’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and artistic expression. By inviting audiences to reflect on the interruption of time during Ramadan, the programme not only honors tradition but also encourages innovation and critical thinking. Through its diverse offerings, it provides a platform for both artists and audiences to engage in meaningful conversations, explore new narratives, and build a more connected community.
For more information on the full programme and to plan your visit, please refer to Alserkal Avenue’s official website.
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