Dubai’s Kanvas gallery is set to transform its space into a living digital ecosystem on May 18, featuring the immersive work of artists Ryan Koopmans and Alice Wexell. Their project, The Wild Within, originally displayed at Leila Heller Gallery from November 2025 to January 2026, now evolves into a time-based, site-responsive installation. The event, titled IN TIME — Where Memory and Place Continue to Change, also includes other projects like Chafic Mekawi’s Beirut Balconies.
Koopmans and Wexell’s contribution blends large-scale projections, animated digital pieces, and physical prints. They start with photographs of abandoned structures from Beirut, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, and other locations. Then, they digitally inject vegetation, shifting light, and atmospheric effects, turning these ruins into lush, animated environments. Works like Heartbeats (2025) are adapted to fill entire walls with slow, breathing movements of light and foliage.
This approach connects contemporary digital art to historical traditions of ruin painting. References include Romantic artists like Piranesi and Hubert Robert, as well as the Bechers’ industrial photography. However, the artists push beyond documentation into speculative fiction. Their 3D plants, animated dust, and changing weather patterns create a space between reality and imagination.
In Dubai, a city known for rapid reinvention, The Wild Within takes on special significance. It uses digital tools to imagine a future where even the newest architectural shells are reclaimed by nature. The May 18 event is not just a sequel to the earlier show but a deeper exploration of nature’s return within cutting-edge technology, offering a profound commentary during a time of regional transformation.