Before We Disappear Immersive Documentary Exhibition

Before We Disappear is an immersive digital documentary exhibition by Poliforma Studio, now on view at Kanvas Dubai in Al Quoz until 18 December 2026. It blends documentary film, visual art and 3D mapping into a single visit, telling the stories of lost civilisations, extinct animals and endangered species, and of the scientists, activists and communities who have dedicated their lives to protecting the planet.

A documentary you walk into

Most documentaries are watched from a sofa. Here the film surrounds you. The centrepiece is a 40-minute immersive audiovisual journey, projected and mapped across the space so that images of vanished cultures and threatened wildlife move around the room rather than sitting on a single screen. The tone is factual rather than theatrical: this is storytelling built on real subjects, presented with the scale and atmosphere of a digital art show.

Among the themes the exhibition explores is the part whales play in nature, in the climate and in the balance of the planet, a good example of how the show links a single species to much larger questions about the world we share. Alongside the loss of ancient societies and disappearing animals, it gives equal space to the people trying to change the story, which leaves visitors with something more hopeful than a list of what has already gone.

Five handcrafted totems

When the projection ends, the visit continues in a physical installation area. Five handcrafted totems bring the lost civilisations of the film into three dimensions, giving you objects to study up close after the sweeping visuals of the screening. Poliforma describes the whole visit as lasting about an hour, so the totems are not an afterthought: give yourself time after the film to walk around them properly and connect what you have just seen with the craftsmanship in front of you.

Who will enjoy it

The exhibition is listed as suitable for all ages, and children under 12 go free with no ticket needed, which makes it an easy cultural outing for families in Dubai. Older children who are curious about animals, history or the environment will find plenty to talk about afterwards, while adults who enjoy documentary film or projection-mapped art will appreciate the way the two are combined. The official listing describes the venue as accessible, and People of Determination also receive free entry without a ticket.

It also works well as part of a wider afternoon in Al Quoz, the creative district that is home to many of the city’s galleries and studios. If you enjoy thoughtful, environment-led programming, the Water as a Common Ground symposium at Jameel Arts Centre explores related questions, and our art and culture guide lists more exhibitions across the UAE.

Opening hours and finding Kanvas

According to Kanvas, the exhibition opens Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and on Saturday from 1pm to 9pm, with entry in timed sessions booked through Fever. The address is Kanvas Dubai, Unit 1, Al Khayat Art Avenue, 19 Street, Al Quoz 1. Because session times vary by day, pick your slot in the Fever calendar and plan the rest of your day around the hour-long visit. For more ideas nearby, see our guide to things to do in Dubai.

Before We Disappear runs for a limited season only, closing on 18 December 2026. It is a rare chance to see a full documentary turned into a room-sized experience, and a reminder, told through film, light and handmade objects, of how much of the world’s heritage and wildlife is still worth protecting.