Over 10,000 Visitors Experience ‘Al Marmoom: The Living Wild’ Drive-Through Exhibition; Virtual Access Available Until March 18, 2026
Al Marmoom Exhibition. Courtesy of Dubai Culture.
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has successfully wrapped up the incredible drive-through photography exhibition titled ‘Al Marmoom: The Living Wild.’ This unique event was organized in conjunction with His Excellency Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, Secretary General of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. The exhibition showcased the ecological diversity and vital significance of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve within the UAE’s cultural framework.
Being the first drive-through exhibition of its kind, the event attracted over 10,000 visitors over ten days. Attendees navigated the scenic reserve in their own vehicles, encountering 24 large-scale photographs capturing the wildlife and bird species that inhabit the desert ecosystem. This innovative format allowed for an immersive viewing experience, connecting art with the natural environment.
Following the physical exhibition’s conclusion, a virtual version was launched, available on a dedicated digital platform. This online experience features augmented reality capabilities, interactive components, and AI-generated video content, allowing users to explore the stunning photographs and access in-depth information about the wildlife via QR-linked media. This initiative is part of Dubai Culture’s broader strategy to improve digital accessibility to the arts, promote sustainability, and preserve both tangible and intangible heritage.
Celebrating Photography, Sustainability, and Environmental Awareness
The exhibition positioned photography as not just an artistic medium, but as a crucial tool for environmental advocacy. Through thoughtfully curated imagery, the project aimed to enhance public awareness about biodiversity and foster a collective responsibility for protecting ecosystems.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, described the exhibition as a transformative experience that redefined the bond between art and nature. She emphasized how it underscores the ecological significance of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve while illustrating how photography can effectively document and preserve local environments through impactful visuals.
Al Suwaidi also highlighted Dubai Culture’s collaboration with Emirati photographer Ali Khalifa bin Thalith as a testament to their commitment to nurturing local creative talents and elevating unique narratives that capture the UAE’s environmental and cultural essence.
Ali Khalifa bin Thalith expressed that the exhibition represents a landmark moment, positioning the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve as an intersection of environmental awareness and artistic engagement. He elaborated on the curatorial criteria which focused on compositional quality and the capacity to represent diverse habitats and wildlife authentically.
Innovative Exhibition Design and Technological Integration
The exhibition’s design was meticulously crafted with the site’s ecological sensitivity in mind. Display locations were chosen to ensure smooth vehicle circulation while preserving the environmental integrity of the area. Architectural features were inspired by the natural desert landscape and were engineered to endure climatic challenges, utilizing solar power to reduce environmental footprints.
Alongside the exhibition, Dubai Culture also recognized winners of the ‘Al Marmoom: The Living Wild’ competition, which encouraged public interaction with the project. Winners received photography gear, guided tours of the reserve, and signed editions of Ali bin Thalith’s book Truly, Madly, Deeply, showcasing marine photography from various international locations.
By merging a drive-through exhibition format with augmented reality technology and sustainable infrastructure, ‘Al Marmoom: The Living Wild’ positioned itself at the convergence of cultural innovation, environmental conservation, and digital engagement.
‘Al Marmoom: The Living Wild’ opened on February 19, 2026, and offered a ten-day drive-through exhibition at the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. Its virtual edition will remain available online until March 18, 2026. Visit the app here.
