Artistic Expressions Unfold Societal Matters and Reimagines Social Media Platforms

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, President of Zayed University, recently visited and inaugurated the ‘Transcending Limits of Hope, Aspiration and Fear, and Reimagining Social Media’ Exhibition at Zayed University Urban Satellite Space (ZUUSS).

The exhibition is an inter-college collaboration between students from the College of Communication and Media Sciences (CCMS) and Alumni artists from the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE). The joint venture saw a remarkable face-to-face interaction between the students, where Media students have digitally, conceptually, and musically promoted each artists’ work. They utilized social media platforms to tell stories of hybrid identities, traumas, bullying, blind-following, gender, psychological issues, and mental health.

The Exhibition runs daily from 10.30am - 3.30pm at Warehouse 48, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. The project involved over 100 students who have worked tirelessly to advance the promotion of art and design beyond gallery and commercial advertising and branding limits.

HE Noura Al Kaabi President of Zayed University toured the exhibition alongside Prof. Reyadh Al Mehaideb, Vice-President of Zayed University, Kevin Badni, Dean of CACE, Dr. Dwight Brooks, Dean of CCMS, and faculty members from both colleges and the organizing committee. Her Excellency gave attention to subliminal messages portrayed within each artwork and interacted with the artists about the prospects of their creations from theoretical imaginations, tools used, and the challenges endured.

Her Excellency accompanied the students to the ‘Mosaic Projections’ Majlis, were they watched short-films that have been tailored by the social media team to capture and amplify the sense of this medium’s scattered attentions across competing screens, platforms and browsers. 

Her Excellency was informed about the potential strives to bring back the glow of creativity surrounding social media and its potential for storytelling, art & design. The exhibition shines light on students' creations as well as the potential for collaboration and communication to reimagine beyond commercialized boundaries.

Kevin Al Badni, Dean of CACE, said, “This unique collaboration is timely due to the ability of artists today to directly converse with their audience." He further added, "Moving beyond traditional means of communication, social media allows our artists to speak with followers about who they are and what they are making. This exciting collaboration gives our artists a unique step up the social media ladder.”

For many of these CCMS students, this is their first foray into digital production, art, and social media, and the results are the product of innovative and integrative group efforts. Dr. Dwight Brooks, the Dean of CCMS, said, “I am confident this CCMS-CACE collaboration will facilitate ongoing critical and creative engagement with social media and ultimately, contribute to more interesting and worthwhile storytelling.”

This innovative initiative, fusing Zayed University’s artists, designers, and social media storytellers, explores the conceptual potential of visual expression and interpretation. In addition to the exhibition in the afternoon, over 50 CCMS students attended interactive morning workshops in training students in social media publishing and community promotions.

The exhibiting artists include Aisha Al Ahmadi, Alia Al Ansari, Amira Albastaki, Ayesha Essa AlMuhairi, Hassana Arif, Hessa Al Fahim, Malina Server, Mariam Abdulla Al Mhairi, Moza Mohammed Alnuaimi, Sara Hamed Alrefaei.