Canon Launches “World Unseen” at Sikka Festival 2025

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Canon, in partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Kalimat Foundation, proudly announces the launch of its innovative World Unseen exhibition at the Al Shindagha Historic District during the Sikka Art & Design Festival. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, the festival runs from January 31 to February 9, 2025.

This immersive exhibition aims to break traditional visual boundaries, offering a multi-sensory journey for individuals with sight loss, reimagining the connection to images. Canon’s World Unseen exhibition is designed to improve accessibility and inclusivity in the visual arts community, aligning with the UAE’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Community.’

Education and community engagement are key pillars of Canon’s participation at Sikka this year, transcending the typical exhibition format. Canon introduces specialized workshops for individuals with special needs, including the visually impaired, in collaboration with the Kalimat Foundation. These workshops are specifically designed for visually impaired participants to engage meaningfully with photography.

In addition, Canon Academy will host a variety of photography classes for adults and children, providing hands-on training in basic photography, content creation, action photography, and photo walks for kids. These initiatives underscore Canon’s dedication to innovation in education and inclusivity.

Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director of Canon Middle East & Turkey, emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusivity, saying: “At Canon, our corporate philosophy, ‘Kyosei,’ guides us in all we do. This year, we are integrating education into every aspect of our participation at Sikka, ensuring our World Unseen exhibition and Canon Academy workshops align with our mission to empower individuals through technology, creativity, and learning.”

Khalil Abdulwahid, Director of the Fine Arts Department at Dubai Culture, highlighted Canon’s contribution: “The World Unseen exhibition enriches this year’s festival by offering an innovative, inclusive experience that merges art, technology, and accessibility.”

The Kalimat Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Sharjah, supports children in vulnerable situations, including those with visual disabilities. Amna Khamis Al Mazmi, Director of Kalimat Foundation, expressed excitement about the project, stating: “This exhibition aligns with our mission to promote literacy and empower disadvantaged youth. By making art accessible, we are challenging societal perceptions and driving meaningful change.”

The World Unseen exhibition features iconic works by Canon ambassadors and UAE-based artists, offering attendees the opportunity to experience photography through touch, sound, and sight. Using advanced printing technology, immersive audio descriptions, and braille, the exhibition enables individuals with sight loss to engage with art in new ways. For sighted participants, the experience simulates limited vision, encouraging them to activate other senses, providing a fresh perspective on photography.

The exhibition includes photographs from renowned artists such as Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Muhammed Muheisen, who captures moments in a refugee settlement, and South African photographer Brent Stirton, with a poignant image of the last northern white rhino. Local talents, including Mustapha Azab and Yagoub Yousef Al Hammadi, showcase stunning works, blending global vision with local creativity.

Canon is also hosting Creative Park workshops in the festival’s kids’ activation zone, offering arts and crafts activities to inspire creative expression among children, further demonstrating the brand’s commitment to fostering education and inclusivity.

Canon’s World Unseen aligns with the UAE’s vision of promoting social inclusion for all, particularly for the People of Determination. With over 600,000 individuals with vision loss in the UAE, initiatives like World Unseen are pivotal in breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity for all.