Waterlands, Elemental Dreams Symposium 2026 in Dubai

Waterlands, Elemental Dreams Symposium 2026 in Dubai is an imaginative afternoon of performance, storytelling and material research centred on water, held at Jameel Arts Centre on Sunday 8 November 2026 from 2pm to 6:30pm. It extends Jumana Emil Abboud’s exhibition The Storyteller and the Obedient Tide and explores the mythology and poetics of water.

About Waterlands, Elemental Dreams in Dubai

Water runs through myth, memory and folklore, and this symposium invites artists to think about it in poetic as well as practical terms. Building on Jumana Emil Abboud’s exhibition, the afternoon brings together artists and collectives whose work engages with water, landscape and story.

It is also a moment of celebration. The programme marks the opening of a new garden project at the centre, the 2026 to 2028 Artist’s Garden, titled Amphibious Timelapse.

What to Expect

Performance, Storytelling and Material Research

The afternoon blends live performance, storytelling and research into the materials and meanings of water. Expect a gentle, thoughtful pace rather than a conference-style schedule.

Featured Artists

Contributions come from Sherko Abbas, Jumana Emil Abboud, Katya Garcia-Anton, Ahmad Nabil and Raghad Saqfelheit.

Opening of Amphibious Timelapse

The symposium opens Amphibious Timelapse, the Artist’s Garden project for 2026 to 2028, created by the Rice Brewing Sisters’ Club.

Conversation with the Rice Brewing Sisters’ Club

Meet the collective behind the garden project and hear about the ideas that shaped it.

Who It Is For

The programme is designed for an adult audience of art lovers, storytellers and researchers. If you have seen The Storyteller and the Obedient Tide, this is a lovely way to go deeper. If you have not, it is a good introduction to Abboud’s world of water, myth and memory.

Good to Know

The afternoon runs for four and a half hours, so you do not need to stay for every part. Pick the performances and conversations that interest you most, and take a break in the galleries or the restaurant between sessions.

Key Highlights

• Extends Jumana Emil Abboud’s exhibition The Storyteller and the Obedient Tide.
• Performance and storytelling from five featured artists.
• Opening of the Artist’s Garden project Amphibious Timelapse.
• A conversation with the Rice Brewing Sisters’ Club.
• Open to all, with an RSVP recommended.

The Venue: Jameel Arts Centre

The symposium is held in the Lobby of Jameel Arts Centre on the Jaddaf Waterfront, along Dubai Creek. Inside there are galleries, a library, a shop and a restaurant, while outside the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park and the Artist’s Garden offer space to wander.

Visitor Tips

Getting There and Parking

Take the Metro Green Line to Creek Station and continue by taxi. If you plan to drive, check parking options before you set off.

Age and Entry Policy

Jameel Arts Centre is open access, and visitors check in at the Welcome Desk. An RSVP is recommended, as places can be limited.

What to Bring

Bring your RSVP confirmation, plus sunglasses and a hat if you plan to spend time in the garden, and a light layer for the galleries indoors.

Dress Code

There is no formal dress code. Comfortable, smart casual clothes and walking shoes are ideal.

Arrive Early

The symposium begins at 2pm. Arriving early gives you time to explore the galleries or the waterfront before the programme starts.

Gentle, poetic and full of ideas, Waterlands, Elemental Dreams is a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Dubai. Pair it with a stroll around the galleries and the garden, and RSVP now to save your place.