اِقْرَبُّوا Iqrabbu(Gather in)
By: Afra Binjerais, Shereena Alnuaimi, Saeed Lootah, Shaikha Alkaabi
اِقْرَبُّوا Iqrabbu is an installation inspired by Emirati culture and the tradition of welcoming people with warmth and hospitality. The experience begins when visitors take their seats in the space. As each person sits down, the lights around their seat glows, acknowledging their presence. With every new person who joins, the firepit in the center grows brighter, much like gatherings that become richer and more lively as more people come together. Guests are invited to place the dallah (coffee pot) , a symbol of welcome and generosity in Emirati culture, onto one of the plates to choose between listening to traditional music or story.
The installation is structured around three seating mats, each containing a pressure sensor and an LED strip that gently pulses in orange when unoccupied. Once someone sits, only that seat’s light becomes steady, signaling activation without drawing attention away from the collective experience. At the center is a firepit and a tray holding two plates beside a traditional Dallah. When all three mats are occupied, the firepit reaches full brightness, and placing the Dallah on either plate triggers an audio response; either a song or a narrated backstory hinting at those who once gathered in this space, though their identities remain unknown.
Iqrabbu offers not just an interactive space, but a shared moment where visitors can connect and feel part of a welcoming gathering.
The Film
Field Installation
Interactive Media Showcase, Fall 2025
