Under the Same Sun Installation by Stephanie Deumer – Desert X AlUla 2022, Saudi Arabia

A Fusion of Art, Nature, and Technology

Under the Same Sun, created by Canadian artist Stephanie Deumer, is a groundbreaking multimedia installation developed for Desert X AlUla 2022. The work investigates the complex relationship between the sun, its material presence, and the energy, images, and forms it generates. This immersive project merges art, technology, and ecology to create a truly unique visitor experience in the Saudi Arabian desert.

Concept and Artistic Vision

Stephanie Deumer’s installation continues her exploration of simulacra and immersive environments. The project transforms the desert landscape into a living laboratory, where biological processes are activated and observed through technological interventions. By projecting live-feed video of the aboveground desert onto the greenhouse below, the installation allows plants to photosynthesize and grow, merging nature and technology in a visually striking spectacle.

Design and Structural Features

Subterranean Greenhouse

At the core of the installation is a sunken greenhouse housing native desert plants, creating a serene and protective environment beneath the harsh desert sun.

Sustainable Solar Power

The installation is fully powered by solar panels, which also serve as the roof of the sunken structure. Designed to resemble a reflective puddle of water on the desert surface, the panels hint at the hidden sanctuary below, blending seamlessly with the landscape.

Raw Material Aesthetic

The structure features exposed gabion walls filled with local stone, adobe benches, and steel beams, creating a minimalist, authentic aesthetic. The visible solar power unit highlights the installation’s sustainable energy system, reinforcing the environmental message at the heart of the project.

Visitor Experience

Under the Same Sun offers more than an artistic spectacle—it provides a cool refuge for visitors navigating the desert terrain. The interplay of light, shadow, and live projections immerses audiences in a contemplative environment that bridges ecology, architecture, and technology.

Technical Collaboration and Photography

The technical design of the installation was realized in collaboration with Resonant Matter. Photography was conducted by Lance Gerber and Stephanie Deumer, capturing the installation’s dynamic interplay of light, space, and natural materials.

 A Sustainable Desert Landmark

Under the Same Sun exemplifies the intersection of art, sustainability, and desert architecture. By combining solar technology, immersive projections, and native flora, Stephanie Deumer has created an innovative installation that resonates with themes of energy, growth, and ecological awareness.

All Photographs are works of Lance Gerber, Stephanie Deumer