The 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art runs until November 15 under the theme ELYAH
AI-generated summary
ISEA2026 Dubai is the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art, held under the theme ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity. It runs until November 15 and brings together international artists, researchers, innovators, and specialists to explore the intersection of art, science, and technology.
Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up with a spectacular projection show to mark the opening of the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai).
The Dubai Media Office shared a video of the illuminated landmark, featuring visual compositions inspired by stars, light and the symposium's digital identity.
Held under the theme ‘ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity’, the symposium was inaugurated by Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
Running until November 15, the event brings together international artists, researchers, innovators and specialists to explore the intersection of art, science and technology.
The opening also featured the launch of the interactive ELYAH experience at ARTE MUSEUM Dubai. Inspired by Dubai's celestial heritage, the show combines light, music, performance and digital technology to explore the connections between people, place and identity.
The symposium's artistic programme features more than 100 artworks across Dubai, including installations, performances and interactive experiences. Its online academic programme includes 145 research papers, more than 50 artist and practitioner talks, and over 10 workshops.
The event explores four themes: ‘Celestial Dialogues’, ‘Charting Constellations’, ‘Eco-Tech Futures’ and ‘Starlinked Worlds’.
Sheikha Latifa said hosting the symposium reflects Dubai's growing influence in the global arts community and its ambition to strengthen dialogue between art, technology and cultural heritage.

Singer-composer Amaal Mallik argues that if Indian cinema is blamed for real-world violence, songs deserve equal scrutiny, offering his own chartbusters Kar Gayi Chull and Rom Rom Romantic as examples. He condemns the Andhra Pradesh attack as horrifying and wrong, rejects blaming any single film or filmmaker, and points to rap tracks on YouTube and Instagram from north India that glorify murder and describe women as items, urging parents to follow age ratings and not bring infants to A-rated films.

Filmmakers Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Ram Gopal Varma defend violent cinema against critics linking blockbusters to real-world crimes, dismissing detractors as opportunistic.

Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi has launched the UAE's first museum Calm Room for neurodivergent visitors, coinciding with its Accessibility Conference 2026 running until November 5. The museum also introduced an Accessible Exhibition Design Manual validated by the UAE Ministry of Family.

The UAE marks its 14th Flag Day on Tuesday, November 3, kicking off national celebrations leading to Eid Al Etihad. Events include a nationwide 11am flag-raising, a 1,000-drone show at Global Village, and the UAE Flag Garden at Umm Suqeim Beach.

Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Gupta has died at age 55 following an accidental fall at his Mumbai home. Friends, family, and colleagues from the film industry have paid heartfelt tributes to the director known for stylish crime dramas.

Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, known for directing Kaante, Kaabil and Shootout at Wadala, has died according to reports by Filmfare and Bollywood Hungama.