As part of Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026, Dubai Culture presents The Pearl Majlis, a contemporary public art installation by Duette Studio, located at Al Shindagha Museum, Public Art House 436.

Rooted in the UAE’s rich collectivist heritage and timeless maritime traditions, The Pearl Majlis offers a shared space of gathering, connection, and reflection, inviting visitors to pause, sit together, and experience a moment of calm within the cultural fabric of old Dubai.

The form, inspired by the local symbol of value, beauty, and longevity, takes shape as a softly glowing spherical architectural structure crafted using layered inflatable materials. Like a pearl nestled in an oyster, guests of the majlis space feel protected and safe, encouraging open conversation, active listening, and embodied presence.

The Pearl Majlis moderates a quiet dialogue between past and present within the Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood. The installation reimagines social rituals that once defined—and to many still do—everyday life, where families, friends, and neighbors gathered to practice hospitality, exchange stories, and preach values, through the language of contemporary design.

The Pearl Majlis is designed as both a visual landmark and an immersive, inhabitable space, functionally evolving throughout the festival. By day, it provides a welcoming setting for rest and socialization; by night, it becomes an illuminated focal point of the festival.

Through The Pearl Majlis, Duette Studio continues its exploration of experimental design and emotionally resonant public art, creating spaces that are not only seen, but felt and remembered. The work reflects on how value, beyond monetary wealth, is formed through time, care, and togetherness, aligning closely with the spirit of Sikka as a platform for cultural and creative exchange.