As January wraps, Samsung Gulf Electronics, the tech giant we all know and love, is getting a little creative spotlight by teaming up with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority for the 14th edition of the Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026.
So, what do you get out of a tech-meets-arts collab? A takeover that’s turning the Al Shindagha Historic Neighborhood into a portal to the future.
The powerhouse at the middle of the exhibition is Samsung’s immersive Art & Tech House, a space designed to show how creativity and technology aren’t poles apart, but rather two sides of the same coin. Samsung is using the festival to spotlight how everyday tech doesn’t have to look like what we’re used to.
Leading the charge is The Frame Pro, positioned as the hero product of the exhibition.If you’ve spent hours searching the internet far and wide for the perfect art TV, then look no further – The Frame Pro is your answer.Designed to look like a framed artwork when switched off, the display transforms into a museum-quality digital canvas when in use, with over 4,000 artworks from world-famous galleries through the Samsung Art Store, blending interior design energy with high-performance visuals. It’s the perfect tech for when you want to switch up your living room décor at the touch of a button, complementing each season, holiday or mood.
At the heart of the activation is a major exhibition titled “Encounters” which explores the evolving relationship between art, technology, and human perception. Through carefully curated installations and immersive digital works, the showcase looks at how what defines a “creative tool” is changing, and how ideas of authorship, participation, and artistic expression are being rewritten in real time.
The Art & Tech House features digital artworks by more than 10 UAE and international artists, including Abdul Shakir, Ameera Kawash, Dalia Omran, Diana Dontella, Fatema (Fay) Alkaabi, Ila Colombo, Nourie Flayhan, Peter Chanthanakone, and Yuqu Chen. The exhibition is curated by Esra Ozkan, with works exploring the crossroads of heritage, innovation, and the future of creative practice. With every artist bringing their best, no one piece looks like the last.
According to Shafi Alam, Senior Director and Head of the Direct-to-Consumer & Corporate Marketing Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, the goal is simple: make technology feel engaging, expressive, and culturally connected. Powered by Samsung’s Galaxy AI and Vision AI suites, devices like The Frame Pro and Galaxy Tab are presented as creative canvases for artists and audiences to actively play with.
For those who want to get those steps in but also want a little culture lesson during your 10k steps, the Photo Walk is for you. Join professional photographers and artists for a walk around the scenic photo walk through the Al Shindagha Historic Neighborhood to capture the district through your eyes. Once you’re done with that, there is a packed lineup of workshops, panel talks, interactive sessions, and daily activations exploring how AI is shaping the future of creativity.
The Sikka Art & Design Festival is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, this year’s Sikka Festival runs from 23 January to 1 February 2026, transforming the heritage district with old-school sand buildings into a buzzing open-air gallery spotlighting emerging the UAE it’s local artists.
The best of the future is waiting to meet you at Sikka.
Where: Al Shindagha Historic Neighborhood, Dubai
When: Now through February 1, 2026