Echoes of Sharjah
An immersive art collaboration translating culture into experience
Echoes of Sharjah marks a significant milestone in the international practice of artist Marcel van Luit. The project is a large scale immersive art experience in collaboration with H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi.
Rooted in cultural heritage and contemporary vision, Echoes of Sharjah transforms a photograph of Sharjah’s Central Souk, captured by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi himself, into a multi layered art experience. What began as his photographic perspective on the city evolved into a monumental composition of physical art panels, surrounded by interactive digital installations that expand the narrative beyond the canvas.
One horizon, many worlds
The artwork is composed of multiple vertical panels that together form one unified horizon. Each panel represents a distinct theme that reflects the identity of the emirate. Heritage, history, trade, education, innovation, and the future are embedded throughout the work, each expressed through Marcel van Luit’s characteristic layered and imaginative visual language.
While every panel tells its own story, the work can only be fully understood when experienced as a whole. This structure mirrors Sharjah itself. A place where diverse narratives coexist within a shared cultural foundation.
From artwork to immersive experience
What sets Echoes of Sharjah apart is its expansion into an immersive environment. Surrounding the physical artwork, digital and interactive installations visualize the same themes in motion. These installations respond to the viewer and invite participation, turning observation into engagement.
Rather than presenting art as a static object, the project positions art as an experience. Visitors are invited to step inside the story of Sharjah, moving between physical and digital worlds that together form a layered narrative landscape.
This approach reflects Marcel van Luit’s broader artistic philosophy, where imagination, symbolism, and storytelling are used to create emotional connection and meaning at scale.
The official unveiling of the installation was carried out jointly, marking the completion of a project that speaks not only to Sharjah’s past, but also to its ambition and forward looking identity.
Echoes of Sharjah exemplifies Marcel van Luit’s approach to creating art that resonates on a public and institutional level. His work moves beyond the boundaries of traditional fine art, embracing large scale storytelling, immersive environments and cultural context.
