Platinum Winner of the International Architecture & Design Awards 2025

The silent age of singularity

Interior

Showroom, Exhibit & Gallery Interior Design

Concept / Professional Category

Architect / Designer:

Badr Ahmed Zabarah

Studio:

1:1 Studio

Design Team:

Senior Exhibition Designer at Misk Art Institute: Badr Zabarah

Chief Curator at Misk Art Institute: Basma Alshathry

Assistant Curator at Misk Art Institute: Aram Alajaji

Copyright:

Misk Art Institute

Country:

Saudi Arabia

Misk Art Institute presents The Silent Age of Singularity, a major group exhibition featuring 20 artists that explores the profound transformations brought about by the rise of the internet. This project stands as one of the key exhibitions presented at Misk Art Institute. The exhibition examines how digital connectivity has reshaped communication, creativity, and cultural exchange—fundamentally altering the way we perceive and interact with the world around us.

The Silent Age of Singularity refers to a subtle yet powerful era of transformation—one where technological shifts unfold quietly in the background of daily life. As digital tools connect diverse perspectives and experiences, the boundaries between public and private life continue to blur, creating fertile ground for innovation, introspection, and new forms of understanding.

The exhibition design draws inspiration from the post-internet era, capturing the evolving relationship between digital exposure and global connectivity. These forces have not only transformed our lifestyles and values but have also redefined how we think, communicate, and create. During the design research phase, the designer discovered the work of Arnaud Laffond—particularly Le Saut (2023), exhibited at the Amsterdam Light Festival. This artwork became a pivotal reference point, inspiring a deep exploration of translucency as a metaphor for the digital screens that both separate and connect our physical and virtual realities.

To bring this concept to life, the exhibition incorporates translucent materials such as white transparent fabrics and mesh steel structures. These elements partially obscure and reveal the space beyond, mirroring the selective visibility offered by digital platforms—where fragments are exposed while others remain hidden. The result is an emotional, immersive environment that encourages visitors to question the clarity and authenticity of their digital experiences.

As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the boundary between the tangible and the virtual becomes increasingly delicate and fragmented. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on this fragile threshold, reconsider their reliance on digital tools, and rediscover a deeper, more grounded connection with the physical world. Ultimately, The Silent Age of Singularity highlights the paradox of modern connectivity: while we are more interconnected than ever before, we may also find ourselves further removed from the present moment.

1:1 Studio

1:1 Studio is a dynamic, multidisciplinary design practice founded by a passionate architect with a deep appreciation for art and design. Driven by a collaborative spirit, the studio embraces experimentation, innovation, and storytelling at the heart of its creative process. Blurring the boundaries between architecture, interior design, and visual arts, 1:1 Studio approaches each project with a commitment to context, materiality, and human experience. The practice values dialogue—between disciplines, cultures, and people—to craft meaningful spaces that resonate emotionally and intellectually. Whether designing immersive exhibitions, public installations, or architectural spaces, 1:1 Studio seeks to create thoughtful, engaging environments that inspire curiosity and connection.