An artistic presentation that combined augmented reality technologies and kinetic performance

«The Daughter of the Pearl Diver». Lists the wonders of the sea at the Museum of the Future

  • Grammy Award songwriter Mesa Qara plays the narrator on the show. Emirates Today

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Between modern technologies, kinetic performances, narration and music, the day before yesterday, the presentation of "The Daughter of the Pearl Diver" was presented at the Museum of the Future, which took the audience on a journey on the waves and depths of the Gulf waters, and the diving tales and traditions that accompany these trips. The performance is a collaboration between Emirati writer Maitha Al Khayyat, Emirati composer Eman Al Hashemi and Paul Emerson of renowned American contemporary dance firm Company E, and is co-produced by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Cultural Foundation.

Based on contemporary kinetic performance, the show presents through narration and singing the story of a pearl fisherman who goes with his daughter on a journey in search of a legendary pearl. The show relies on augmented reality techniques to highlight the traditional art of pearl diving and the wonders of diving experiences, and combines imagination and heritage in the presentation of high-fantasy paintings.

Music in an oriental and western mix was in the show, blending the Emirati mood of the show's story with English and contemporary American dance. The show began with the sounds of waves coming out of the screen, to form an invitation to the audience to enter the depths of the water with the diver, then singer Maysa Qara, who combined storytelling and singing, to follow the dance segments that tell the story through body movements accompanying events and music in a fast and calm rhythm.

The work was the first theatrical experience of Emirati writer Maitha Al Khayyat, who moved from the world of children's literature to theater in this work. Al-Khayyat spoke to Emirates Today about this experience, saying: "This work is my first in the world of theater, and the United States Embassy nominated me to write the text of the work after I had more than one cooperation with the producer in the field of children's stories, and the show this time was different and carries a lot of challenges, and I took it as an opportunity to challenge myself in a new field." "I've always been a fan of filmmaking and theatre, so I wanted to present a story about diving that doesn't resemble documentation, because I tend to have humor, fantasy and fantasy, and I blended different cultures, so the work can be attributed to any other country." The story carries the local psyche, but it was presented through contemporary American dance, and this fusion is like trying a new kitchen, but it is familiar. On the challenges that accompanied Al-Khayyat during the work, she pointed out that she began writing and preparing for work two years ago, and that period coincided with the end of the Corona pandemic, and for this the main difficulties were how to meet and communicate with the American choreographer, as his work required time and information, as well as he worked to visit many places in order to present the paintings in the best possible form. She described her first experience as a journey of learning and inspiration, explaining that she presented the story in a deep and expressive framework that touches the sense of the audience, and that when she saw the work, she was fascinated by the dance performance and how the words turned into a painting that carries all this surprise.

Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Mesa draws the role of the narrator in the show, combining narration and singing in her stage performances, varying between multiple lyrical styles up to "pop-opera". Singer Maysa Qaraa talked about her singing in this work, and said: «I always combine the eastern and western moods in the music that I present, I love this fusion of cultures, but what distinguishes this show is that it carried a traditional Emirati story, but it is presented in a contemporary way, and for this I work to present the song in the middle in a different performance way every time I am on stage». She pointed out that the work carries different types of different types of music, and combines opera, pop opera, and oriental influence, and this is what gives it distinction, thanking the US Embassy, which supported the implementation of this work through the troupe that presented the performance, because it gives the opportunity for dancers to be present in the region. She confirmed that she collaborated with the troupe at the last moments, and she completed the preparations during a week of work, and worked during this week on the performance, noting that as a singer on the stage she was destined to interact with the dancers, and this positive atmosphere is what makes her tell the story differently every time she performs the work.

Playing and music

Maysa's performances varied between singing with live guitar and singing with recorded music. The guitarist's music was very quiet, with a lot of pumpkins echoing throughout the stage. As for the recorded music, it was distinguished by the fact that it carries some oriental melodies and rhythms that allow the presentation of motion-filled paintings.

Maitha Khayyat:

"I've always been a fan of filmmaking and theatre, so I wanted to present a story about diving that doesn't resemble documentation."

Mesa Draw:

"I always combine Eastern and Western moods in the music I present. I love this fusion of cultures."