Last week, Bottega Veneta brought a unique experience to Dubai. Titled “Waves,” the event was a masterful intersection of music, sound, and cultural dialogue under the direction of Matthieu Blazy. Hosted at the stunning Concrete in Alserkal Avenue, “Waves” breaks away from the typical fashion event, offering an immersive soundscape where art, heritage, and innovation collide.
Walking into the space, designed by Lebanese architect Carl Gerges with Blazy’s guidance, was like stepping into a desert oasis reimagined. The low, concentric seating, paired with sand-colored textures, evoked the undulating dunes of the Arabian desert. It was a thoughtful nod to the region’s landscape but also to the ephemeral nature of sound itself.
The core of “Waves” was the spatial composition by Tarek Atoui, the Lebanese artist and electroacoustic composer who’s practically rewritten the rulebook on what sound art can be. His experimental instruments, scattered throughout the venue, humming with a life of their own. They created an unpredictable yet mesmerizing symphony, constantly shifting as if reacting to the crowd’s pulse. This setup invited guests to reconsider what music can be.
That’s not all; “Waves” brought together some of the most talked-about regional musicians. Palestinian-Jordanian artist Zeyne, whose soulful R&B mixed with Arabic influence has received international praise, offered a hypnotic presence. Alongside her, the Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter Nemahsis, known for her moving explorations of identity and belonging, took the stage with raw and evocative energy.
Kuwaiti artist Fatima Al Qadiri brought her electronic edge, blending art and futurism with beats that hint at spirituality and history, while Egyptian songstress Dina El Wedidi added depth with her experimental folk soundscapes. And then there was Bachir Attar, the iconic leader of The Master Musicians of Jajouka, who channeled the mystical rhythms of Moroccan Sufi music.
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