Ideas festivals need environments that encourage conversation, discovery and collaboration among audiences with different interests and backgrounds. For the 2019 Ideas Festival at NYU Abu Dhabi, Tamkeen commissioned Evolution Scenic to create an engaging event environment centred on culture, knowledge and innovation.
The festival welcomed adults, teenagers and young professionals while providing a platform for thinkers, innovators and influencers from the UAE, the GCC and beyond.
Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated large-scale artistic installations combining geometric timber structures with vibrant graphics. Multi-functional scenic spaces were also created for discussions, workshops and networking activities.
The Challenge
The event environment needed to appeal to a broad audience while supporting several different forms of participation. Discussions, workshops, networking and informal interaction each required spaces suited to their specific purpose.
The scenic design also needed to communicate Abu Dhabi’s identity as a modern, knowledge-driven capital while celebrating UAE culture and the city’s growing role as a centre for creativity and innovation.
These ideas had to be translated into visually distinctive structures without limiting the flexibility required by the festival programme.
The Solution
Evolution Scenic designed and fabricated large-scale art installations using geometric timber structures and vibrant applied graphics.
The combination of three-dimensional forms and bold graphic treatments created a recognisable visual identity for the festival while expressing themes of culture, knowledge and innovation.
Versatile scenic elements were produced to support discussions, workshops and networking activities. These multi-functional environments enabled the event programme to accommodate different formats and audience groups within a coordinated setting.
Thematic features inspired by UAE culture and Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre for knowledge and creativity were incorporated throughout the scenic approach.
Detailed fabrication and high-quality finishing ensured the individual installations formed a polished and immersive environment across the festival.
Delivery Highlights
- Scenic production for the Ideas Festival
- Installation at NYU Abu Dhabi
- Large-scale artistic installations
- Geometric timber structures
- Vibrant applied graphics
- Multi-functional festival spaces
- Discussion environments
- Workshop areas
- Networking spaces
- Design for adults and younger audiences
- Integration of UAE cultural themes
- Visual storytelling around knowledge and innovation
- Detailed scenic fabrication
- High-quality finishes
- Venue installation
Outcome
The completed environment supported a varied programme of discussions, workshops and networking while giving the festival a strong visual identity.
Large-scale geometric installations and colourful graphics created distinctive focal points throughout the venue. Flexible scenic spaces allowed different audience groups to participate in the festival’s activities and connect with one another.
Through considered design, specialist timber fabrication and detailed finishing, Evolution Scenic created an environment that reflected the festival’s focus on culture, creativity and knowledge sharing.
Project Ecosystem
Evolution Scenic – Scenic design, large-scale art installations, geometric timber fabrication, graphic integration, multi-functional event spaces, cultural features, finishing and venue installation.