ENESS Creates Inflatable Forest Dancer Exhibition That Evokes Happiness

Dubai’s Quoz Arts Festival witnessed an extraordinary artistic intervention as ENESS, the acclaimed Melbourne-based art and design studio, transformed the façade of the Concrete building with a monumental illuminated installation made of inflatables. As part of the Forest Dancer exhibition – an extension of FRAME Awards Exhibition of the Year 2024, Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness – the 29.5-foot-tall archway captivated audiences, happily merging art with architecture.

This ephemeral yet striking transformation reimagined the renowned venue, originally designed by Rem Koolhaas’s OMA, through a series of interconnected, soft-edged arches. These oversized forms played with scale and perspective, their fleshy, organic curves appearing both solid and transient. The result was a thought-provoking dialogue between the built environment and the temporary nature of artistic expression.

As visitors moved through the cascading arches, they encountered intricate material details, including a pixelated motif embedded with oversized floral prints in an 8-bit aesthetic. This fusion of digital and tactile elements reflected ENESS’s innovative approach to creating immersive experiences that challenge traditional perceptions of space and design.

“Our work extends beyond galleries and museums; it integrates into the fabric of everyday life,” says ENESS founder Nimrod Weis. “By engaging directly with the existing architecture, we craft pieces that converse with their surroundings while standing as independent artworks.”

At the heart of the broader Forest Dancer exhibition stood a towering 26-foot-tall figure, serving as an emblem of connection and play. The installations within the exhibition, including Whispering Mountains and Stick Insects, fostered interaction, encouraging visitors to engage with art in ways that sparked creativity and connection among strangers, friends, and families alike.

One of the most enchanting aspects of the exhibition was the skirt-like dome enveloping an interactive space where visitors could recline on LED-eyed beanbags, immersed in an ever-shifting landscape of light and sound. This sensory haven encouraged introspection and a respite from the digital noise that dominates contemporary life.

Spanning over 6,458 square feet, the exhibition showcases the crucial role of creativity in countering societal challenges, from the isolating effects of technology to global tensions. By situating art as a vehicle for human connection and contemplation, ENESS delivered a compelling statement on the necessity of shared experiences in today’s world.

The Quoz Arts Festival, a vibrant annual event set in Alserkal Avenue’s artistic district, served as the perfect backdrop for this vibrant installation. With Forest Dancer as its centerpiece, ENESS reinforced the power of public art to inspire and unite communities, urging audiences to embrace creative expression in their own lives.

Following its success in Dubai, Forest Dancer and its accompanying exhibition Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness continue to traverse the globe, bringing their dynamic fusion of art, light, and interactivity to audiences in multiple countries.

For more information on ENESS, visit eness.com.

Photography by Ismail Noor, Seeing Things Studio.