Deliberate Pauses: A Landmark Public Art Installation in Hatta by Shaikha Al Mazrou
By Alserkal Arts Foundation in partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
The UAE’s landscape becomes both canvas and collaborator in Deliberate Pauses, the largest site-specific art intervention in Dubai to date. Conceived by acclaimed Emirati artist Shaikha Al Mazrou, this striking installation transforms the dramatic terrain of Leem Lake in Hatta into a space for stillness, reflection, and connection.
Images courtesy of Alserkal Arts Foundation and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
Known for her sculptural explorations of material and form, Al Mazrou introduces five reflective red metallic sculptures—cylindrical in shape and monumental in scale—that appear embedded within the Hajar Mountains. Scattered thoughtfully along Hatta’s hiking trails, these forms invite passersby to slow down, take notice, and experience the landscape anew. Their vibrant red surfaces mirror the ever-shifting environment, becoming both beacons and portals for contemplation.
Curated in collaboration with architect and academic Faysal Tabbarah, Deliberate Pauses balances aesthetic boldness with environmental sensitivity. This is not just an artwork placed in nature—it’s a dialogue with the land itself. Through its presence, the installation draws attention to the overlooked narratives of Hatta: its geological wonders, cultural histories, and the stories etched into its rocky terrain.
Images courtesy of Alserkal Arts Foundation and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
As the second commission in a trilogy of major public art projects by Alserkal Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Deliberate Pauses signals a growing commitment to cultural accessibility and artistic engagement across the UAE. Set across iconic sites—including the Shindagha Historic District, the Al Quoz Creative Zone, and now Hatta—this series champions the power of art to connect people, places, and perspectives.
Whether encountered by chance during a hike or sought out as a destination, Deliberate Pauses offers a powerful reminder of the role art can play in shaping how we see and experience our world.
