Dunes & Dugongs (D&D)
A collaborative multi-media installation aimed at sparking reflection, dialogue, and environmental stewardship.
Dunes and Dungeons: A Collaborative Reflection on Resilient Corals and Creative Process
This project began with a simple challenge: assemble a team of creatives from various backgrounds to develop an interdisciplinary collaboration for the 2025 London Design Biennial. The theme of the exhibition was predetermined: Reflection. Now, nine months later, I find myself reflecting on the process, the challenges, and the outcomes.
The first challenge was assembling a team—bringing together collaborators, aligning them with a general project proposal while maintaining the flexibility necessary for creative growth. My primary mission was to speak to a global audience while addressing regional concerns. Narrative has always been at the core of my work—I am a storyteller at heart. Naturally, I roped my husband, Josh Rodenberg, into the project. We have collaborated before, drawn to installation art, a shared sense of humor, and an affinity for the unexpected, which makes working together exciting.
We reached out to Neihan Yaqoob, a poet and faculty member at VCUQatar. Josh frequently invites Neihan to his Sound Art classes for workshops on concept development. Together, the three of us fleshed out our primary goal: to address the global climate crisis with a focus on regional concerns, such as dramatic weather changes. We then invited Esther De Veuve, an adjunct faculty member in the VCUQ Fashion Design department, to expand the project’s design and material scope. Esther’s husband, Michael Wirtz, also joined the team as a creative consultant and fabrication designer. Notably, Mike and Josh not only work together at VCUQ—Josh as Head of the Innovative Media Studios and Mike as a Design Research Librarian—but also regularly play Dungeons & Dragons together. Mike was enlisted to assist with 3D rendering and printed objects throughout the collaborative process.
As the project evolved, the idea of using Dungeons & Dragons as a conceptual framework took shape. I loved the idea of utilizing the mechanics of the game to parallel the necessity of active participation in the climate crisis. The dunes of Qatar became our landscape, and the iconic dugong our mascot—just as dungeons and dragons are symbols of the immersive, interactive world-building in the game. The title Dunes and Dungeons may have begun as a working name, but it soon became the project’s beating heart. Neihan naturally took on the role of Dungeon Master, her poetry serving as a form of storytelling to draw participants into a challenging topic: the climate crisis. Josh collaborated with her to develop ambient soundscapes and abstract video projections. Meanwhile, I secured a project space at the Liwan Design Labs and Studios, and Esther arranged for several knitting machines on loan from VCUQ. Several valuable artisans joined us along the way. Some became beacons of hope and resilience through the hard and turbulent waters, cheering us on and contributing their unique skillsets. Our studio space at Liwan had an active energy throughout the fall, winter, and spring.
From the early conception of this project and throughout the collaborative process, we shared articles, poems, and inspirations in weekly Zoom meetings. Our research led us to the incredible resilience of the coral reefs in the Gulf region. These corals withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, averaging 15 degrees Celsius in annual variation. By contrast, corals in other parts of the world struggle with even a 2-degree fluctuation. Scientists worldwide are now experimenting with genetic modifications to create more resilient coral breeds. This discovery shifted my focus—not only toward regional climate concerns but also to the Gulf’s unique scientific contributions to global coral research.
Beyond their ecological role, coral reefs act as natural barrier walls, protecting coastlines from catastrophic waves and coastal degradation. I began to wonder: Could the resilience of Gulf corals contribute to global efforts in preventing land loss? However, without changes in human behavior, even the most advanced coral rehabilitation efforts will be futile. It could take decades to successfully modify corals and cultivate nurseries in turbulent waters. So, what hope do we have? And what role must we play in slowing down the end of this narrative?
This is a story not only about the beauty of our region but also about the beauty of community—the people who come together for a greater good and keep each other afloat. It’s about resilience through hard times and the importance of owning up to our mistakes.
Through Dunes and Dungeons, we seek to create a space where participants actively engage with these urgent questions. By merging art, science, and storytelling, we invite audiences to reflect—not just on the crisis but on their agency within it.
This project began with a simple challenge: assemble a team of creatives from various backgrounds to develop an interdisciplinary collaboration for the 2025 London Design Biennial. The theme of the exhibition was predetermined: Reflection. Now, nine months later, I find myself reflecting on the process, the challenges, and the outcomes.
The first challenge was assembling a team—bringing together collaborators, aligning them with a general project proposal while maintaining the flexibility necessary for creative growth. My primary mission was to speak to a global audience while addressing regional concerns. Narrative has always been at the core of my work—I am a storyteller at heart. Naturally, I roped my husband, Josh Rodenberg, into the project. We have collaborated before, drawn to installation art, a shared sense of humor, and an affinity for the unexpected, which makes working together exciting.
We reached out to Neihan Yaqoob, a poet and faculty member at VCUQatar. Josh frequently invites Neihan to his Sound Art classes for workshops on concept development. Together, the three of us fleshed out our primary goal: to address the global climate crisis with a focus on regional concerns, such as dramatic weather changes. We then invited Esther De Veuve, an adjunct faculty member in the VCUQ Fashion Design department, to expand the project’s design and material scope. Esther’s husband, Michael Wirtz, also joined the team as a creative consultant and fabrication designer. Notably, Mike and Josh not only work together at VCUQ—Josh as Head of the Innovative Media Studios and Mike as a Design Research Librarian—but also regularly play Dungeons & Dragons together. Mike was enlisted to assist with 3D rendering and printed objects throughout the collaborative process.
As the project evolved, the idea of using Dungeons & Dragons as a conceptual framework took shape. I loved the idea of utilizing the mechanics of the game to parallel the necessity of active participation in the climate crisis. The dunes of Qatar became our landscape, and the iconic dugong our mascot—just as dungeons and dragons are symbols of the immersive, interactive world-building in the game. The title Dunes and Dungeons may have begun as a working name, but it soon became the project’s beating heart. Neihan naturally took on the role of Dungeon Master, her poetry serving as a form of storytelling to draw participants into a challenging topic: the climate crisis. Josh collaborated with her to develop ambient soundscapes and abstract video projections. Meanwhile, I secured a project space at the Liwan Design Labs and Studios, and Esther arranged for several knitting machines on loan from VCUQ. Several valuable artisans joined us along the way. Some became beacons of hope and resilience through the hard and turbulent waters, cheering us on and contributing their unique skillsets. Our studio space at Liwan had an active energy throughout the fall, winter, and spring.
From the early conception of this project and throughout the collaborative process, we shared articles, poems, and inspirations in weekly Zoom meetings. Our research led us to the incredible resilience of the coral reefs in the Gulf region. These corals withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, averaging 15 degrees Celsius in annual variation. By contrast, corals in other parts of the world struggle with even a 2-degree fluctuation. Scientists worldwide are now experimenting with genetic modifications to create more resilient coral breeds. This discovery shifted my focus—not only toward regional climate concerns but also to the Gulf’s unique scientific contributions to global coral research.
Beyond their ecological role, coral reefs act as natural barrier walls, protecting coastlines from catastrophic waves and coastal degradation. I began to wonder: Could the resilience of Gulf corals contribute to global efforts in preventing land loss? However, without changes in human behavior, even the most advanced coral rehabilitation efforts will be futile. It could take decades to successfully modify corals and cultivate nurseries in turbulent waters. So, what hope do we have? And what role must we play in slowing down the end of this narrative?
This is a story not only about the beauty of our region but also about the beauty of community—the people who come together for a greater good and keep each other afloat. It’s about resilience through hard times and the importance of owning up to our mistakes.
Through Dunes and Dungeons, we seek to create a space where participants actively engage with these urgent questions. By merging art, science, and storytelling, we invite audiences to reflect—not just on the crisis but on their agency within it.