New Media art is a dynamic interplay between technology and art expression. Its generative and mechanical aspects highlight the intricate relationship between the artist and the machine. The medium also expresses autonomy and power, thereby acting as either a declaration of independence from traditional forms of expression or a rebellion against mainstream or settled trajectories.

Bringing together diverse works by more than forty Arab New Media artists, Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World offers a unique and unprecedented exploration of the region’s engagement with contemporary technologies as tools. The presentation identifies when Arab artists sought to work with the medium of their time, thus creating cultural and aesthetic currents that could interact and converge. It also explores the permeability and non-physicality of the resulting works.