Installation Art and Live Performance as a Means of Exploring Place History

Abstract

Historic places function as visual narratives that embody cultural, social, and environmental values. Installation art has emerged as a spatial medium that combines storytelling, sensory engagement, and place-making to foster public interaction and interpretation. This thesis investigates how immersive installation art can be used to reinterpret historical narratives and strengthen visitors' connections to place. The study focuses on the historic city of Al-'Ula, a site characterized by a rich archaeological and cultural landscape. Through an exploration of spatial storytelling, immersion, and experiential design, the research examines methods for creating inhabitable installations that reveal layers of history through a contemporary lens. The project seeks to demonstrate how installation art can bridge past and present, generating meaningful engagement with heritage while fostering a renewed sense of place.