Burj Al Arab marks Chinese New Year with cross-cultural paper art by Jackie Wen

Dubai’s Chinese New Year celebrations this year went beyond lanterns, fireworks, and red décor. At the heart of the city’s cultural scene, Burj Al Arab marked the Lunar New Year with something quieter, more thoughtful, and visually powerful — a cross-cultural art collaboration that blended Chinese tradition with Arabian heritage.

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, Chinese paper artist Jackie Wen was invited to create a large-scale projection on the Burj Al Arab façade, along with a series of delicate paper installations inside the hotel. The result was not just a visual spectacle, but a cultural conversation — one that connected two worlds through symbolism, history, and craftsmanship.

This year’s Burj Al Arab Chinese New Year showcase stood out for its simplicity, emotion, and meaning. No loud theatrics. No excess. Just light, paper, and storytelling — all set against one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks.

Where Chinese tradition meets Dubai’s identity?

Jackie Wen’s work is rooted in traditional Chinese paper cutting — an ancient art form passed down through generations. But in Dubai, the art took on a new language.

The Year of the Horse became the central symbol of the collaboration. In Chinese culture, the horse represents strength, courage, and loyalty. In Arabian culture, it holds the same meaning — deeply connected to heritage, identity, and history.

This shared symbolism became the emotional core of the project.

Instead of using generic zodiac imagery, Wen drew inspiration from Dubai itself — particularly the equestrian sculptures at Jumeirah Al Qasr. These forms were transformed into layered paper designs and fluid visuals, which were then projected across the Burj Al Arab’s sail-shaped structure.

The projection told a symbolic journey — from China to Dubai — reflecting historic Silk Road connections and long-standing cultural exchange between East and West.

It wasn’t just decoration. It was storytelling through light.

A personal journey for the artist

For Wen, the project carried deep personal meaning.

She was born and raised in Guangzhou, a historic port city and one of the key starting points of the ancient maritime Silk Road. That same route once connected China to the Arabian world through trade, travel, and cultural exchange.

Now, centuries later, her art was physically bridging those same regions — from Guangzhou to Dubai.

Her creative process remains traditional at heart. Every installation begins with hand sketches. Concepts are developed on paper. Patterns are cut manually before being transformed into large-scale visual experiences using modern projection technology.

The artwork itself took around two to three weeks to create. But the cultural research and concept development took much longer. Wen worked closely with the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah teams to ensure that the symbols used would resonate authentically in both cultures.

This wasn’t about fusion for aesthetics. It was about meaning.

Inside the Burj Al Arab: delicate art, strong messages

Inside the hotel, guests experienced a different side of the exhibition.

One of the standout installations featured Wen’s signature jellyfish sculptures — layered paper forms suspended inside transparent domes. They appeared to float, creating movement despite being made from fragile material.

The jellyfish, according to Wen, symbolises modern women — soft in appearance, but resilient underneath. Graceful, yet powerful.

This theme runs through much of her work. Her ongoing series, Beyond the Boundary, explores the idea that paper is not weak — despite how it looks. She has placed paper sculptures underwater, exposed them to fire, and used extreme environments to show transformation, strength, and renewal.

The Burj Al Arab installations carried the same message. Delicate materials. Strong meaning.

Dubai’s cultural scene

Dubai’s Lunar New Year celebrations have grown steadily over the years — from community events in Chinatown areas to large-scale citywide activations. But this collaboration reflects something deeper.

It shows how Dubai is moving beyond surface-level celebrations and into cultural storytelling.

This wasn’t just a hotel display. It was a cultural exchange project. One that respected tradition, honoured symbolism, and reflected Dubai’s identity as a global city built on connection, movement, and diversity.

It also highlights how Dubai’s luxury spaces are evolving — not just as hospitality destinations, but as cultural platforms.

These naturally connect the story to wider coverage on festivals, events, and lifestyle in the UAE.

The Burj Al Arab Chinese New Year showcase wasn’t about spectacle. It was about meaning.

Through paper, light, and shared symbolism, Jackie Wen created a bridge between two cultures that already share deep historical roots. The Year of the Horse became more than a zodiac symbol — it became a story of strength, loyalty, connection, and movement.

In a city built on global connections, this collaboration felt natural. Quiet. Powerful. Human.

And that’s what made it special.

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