'Deliberate Pauses', installation view. Courtesy of Alserkal Arts Foundation and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
Alserkal Arts Foundation, in partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, presents Deliberate Pauses, the largest site-specific art intervention in Dubai, created by Shaikha Al Mazrou.
Known for her sculptural investigations of materiality and form, Al Mazrou’s latest work is set against the striking landscape of Leem Lake in Hatta, marking a significant moment for public art in the region. Deliberate Pauses consists of five reflective red metallic sculptures, strategically placed along Hatta’s scenic hiking trails. These polished cylindrical forms—whether standing tall or lying still—are embedded seamlessly within the rugged Hajar Mountains. The sculptures serve as both beacons and portals, encouraging visitors to pause, reflect, and connect with the natural environment surrounding them.
Curated in collaboration with architect and academic Faysal Tabbarah, the installation integrates bold aesthetic impact with a deep respect for the environment. By inviting hikers to engage with the overlooked narratives of Hatta—embedded in its rocky terrains, cultural artifacts, and oral histories— Deliberate Pauses fosters a dialogue between the past and present.
This project is the second in a series of three large-scale public art commissions by Alserkal Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Taking place at iconic sites—including the Shindagha Historic District, the Al Quoz Creative Zone, and Hatta—the project aims to foster cultural connectivity across the UAE.
Known for her sculptural investigations of materiality and form, Al Mazrou’s latest work is set against the striking landscape of Leem Lake in Hatta, marking a significant moment for public art in the region. Deliberate Pauses consists of five reflective red metallic sculptures, strategically placed along Hatta’s scenic hiking trails. These polished cylindrical forms—whether standing tall or lying still—are embedded seamlessly within the rugged Hajar Mountains. The sculptures serve as both beacons and portals, encouraging visitors to pause, reflect, and connect with the natural environment surrounding them.
Curated in collaboration with architect and academic Faysal Tabbarah, the installation integrates bold aesthetic impact with a deep respect for the environment. By inviting hikers to engage with the overlooked narratives of Hatta—embedded in its rocky terrains, cultural artifacts, and oral histories— Deliberate Pauses fosters a dialogue between the past and present.
This project is the second in a series of three large-scale public art commissions by Alserkal Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Taking place at iconic sites—including the Shindagha Historic District, the Al Quoz Creative Zone, and Hatta—the project aims to foster cultural connectivity across the UAE.
Shaikha Al Mazrou, the artist, reflects: “In the mountains of Hatta, I pause deliberately—not to find answers, but to question the need for them. Like the spiral, it’s not about moving forward or backward, but about recognizing the quiet moments in between. Here, in stillness, you’re invited to reflect, or simply to observe, as the landscape itself offers its own kind of pause.”
Faysal Tabbarah, the curator, shares: “Public art amplifies a sense of place and enables people to understand their environments in ways that are often too subtle to notice without reflection. In trying to highlight the stories of Hatta and Leem Lake, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Alserkal Arts Foundation, and I worked collaboratively to ensure the artwork invites reflections about place, connection, and wonder.”
This project is the second in a series of three large-scale public art commissions by Alserkal Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. Taking place at iconic sites—including the Shindagha Historic District, the Al Quoz Creative Zone, and Hatta—the project aims to foster cultural connectivity across the UAE.
April 15, 2025
