DUBAI: The emirate is turning heads once again as Dubai Culture unveils ‘Deliberate Pauses’, the largest public art installation of its kind, nestled within the rugged beauty of HATTA. Created by renowned Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou, the installation blends contemporary art with nature in a powerful nod to reflection, stillness, and place.
Commissioned by Alserkal Arts Foundation and curated by Faysal Tabbarah of the American University of Sharjah, the piece features five giant red metallic discs. Placed dramatically along the hiking trails around Leem Lake, they’re more than striking landmarks — they’re intentional spaces for contemplation, embedded within the iconic Hajar Mountains.
This installation is part of the ‘Dubai Public Art’ initiative, which aims to make the city a global open-air museum. It celebrates Hatta’s natural and cultural landscape, adding a bold visual layer to its heritage and encouraging locals and tourists alike to connect with the environment in new ways.
Dubai Culture’s Director-General, Hala Badri, said this project boosts Hatta’s tourism potential while supporting Emirati talent and innovation. It ties in with the broader Hatta development plan, which focuses on cultural growth and environmental harmony.
Shaikha Al Mazrou’s work invites passers-by to stop and reflect — not necessarily to find answers, but to question. “In the mountains of Hatta, I pause deliberately,” she says. “It’s about recognising the quiet moments.”
Whether you’re hiking, sightseeing, or simply wandering, ‘Deliberate Pauses’ adds a surprising splash of colour, curiosity, and meaning to the mountain trails of Hatta.
