Between The Past and the Future, May 2022
A project by Omnia Alkouni, Jory Alkhshan, Fatma Eltarhuni
Junior Multi-Media Design Studio, Prof. Zlatan Filipovic

American University of Sharjah, College of Architecture and Design (CAAD)

“Between the Past and the Future” is an augmented reality experience centered on the theme of preserving a significant tradition of the majlis which is poetry. To immerse the user, 3D models
and rotoscoped videos were produced to create the experience. The inspiration behind this project
was the Emirati fishermen / poet: Salem Bin Jumaa Al-Roum who has offered us his generosity and kindness by inviting us to his Majlis and recited old Emirati poems that were originally written by him. The experience gradually guides the user from the past to the future. When the user first walks in, they are met by image frames on both sides of the wall containing archival photographs of majlis throughout history. While viewing the photographs, the user will hear an Arabic Oud instrumental in the background. As the user moves further, they will reach the “main room” which contains futuristic elements. When entering, the user is greeted by a pedestal with three buttons for three different poems. As the user taps on the button of their selected poem, panels will appear in the room. These panels has the poem inscribed on them both in Arabic and English.
At the same time, the user will hear a reciting of the poem by Salem himself. Furthermore, rotoscoped videos that correspond to the poem will appear on room's walls in a 180-degree perspective. This will engage the audience in the experience while also educating them about the significance of poetry in Emirati Majlis.

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