Weaving Memory: Threads, Light & Belonging | Neel Shukla | TEDxAlBateen
In this poetic and deeply personal talk, Neel Shukla — entrepreneur, artist, and cultural visionary — reflects on five decades of his family’s journey in the UAE and how art became the language of belonging.From a childhood moment when His Highness called his father “Fannaan” — “the artist” — Neel traces a legacy that grew alongside the transformation of the nation itself. He shares how that recognition planted in him a lifelong devotion to creativity and cultural dialogue, one that would later lead him to bring global institutions such as the Louvre to the UAE.As he reflects on the balance between heritage and technology, Neel offers a profound reminder: in the age of AI and automation, it is the imperfection in our hands — the human touch — that carries beauty, meaning, and memory.Key ideas:- The intersection of art, heritage, and national identity
- The story behind bringing the Louvre to the UAE
- Honoring the human touch in an age of machines
- How imperfection defines creativity and authenticity
- Art as a bridge between generations and culturesRecorded live at TEDxAlBateen 2025 — themed “Threads of Us,” celebrating the ties between creativity, humanity, and the enduring spirit of the UAE.#TEDxAlBateen #NeelShukla #ThreadsOfUs #Art #Creativity #UAE #Culture #Innovation #Humanity An art entrepreneur and cultural consultant whose work transforms art into storytelling that bridges generations, identity, and innovation. Raised in Dubai’s art scene and inspired by his father, renowned photographer Ramesh Shukla, Neel learned early on that art has the power to preserve memory and pass knowledge from one generation to the next.Through his studio in Dubai, Neel has developed projects that span museum-quality conservation, monumental sculpture, and bespoke cultural installations. His portfolio includes collaborations for Atlantis The Royal, The WB Abu Dhabi, Mayo Clinic Abu Dhabi, Grosvenor House, Hyatt Centric Jumeirah, and Expo 2020 Dubai. He also contributed to the creation of one million Expo passports, embedding cultural imagery into a global experience.Beyond commercial work, Neel curates exhibitions that highlight the UAE’s cultural legacy, while also preserving his father’s photographic archive — one of the nation’s most significant collections. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 11:56Should we get our news from comedians? | Borna Sor | TEDxZagrebKnowing that humor often serves as our defense mechanism against fear, political satirist Borna Sor dives into the art of making boring yet essential topics—like politics and the news—fun and engaging. Tackling the challenge of catching the attention of even the toughest-to-amuse audiences, satire is a powerful tool. Through wit and humor, comedy becomes a mirror reflecting a nation’s thoughts, economic struggles, and political dynamics. So, get ready to explore the fiery and thought-provoking world of satire!Borna Sor je rođen godine Orwellovog Velikog Brata (1984.) u Zagrebu. Satiričar, novinar, voditelj i TV autor. Urednik je i pisac emisija Prime Time na N1, suradnik Stanja nacije na RTL-u, voditelj otkazane emisije Montirani proces na HRT-u. Ujedno je dugogodišnji debatni trener i predavač političke satireThis talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 11:21Why craft matters now more than ever | Jonathan Fields | TEDxBoulder"In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and endless digital scrolling, are we losing something vital? Join author, Good Life Project podcast host, entrepreneur, and lifelong maker, Jonathan Fields, as he unpacks a profound truth: the act of making with our hands isn't just a hobby, it's a powerful act of reclamation. An antidote to a screen-based existence, and a pathway to deep personal awakening.From a mysterious childhood briefcase to building guitars and beyond, Jonathan shares a deeply personal journey that reveals why craft, creativity, and the tangible act of creation are more crucial than ever for our well-being, sense of purpose, and human connection. Discover how the process of making shapes us, teaches us resilience, and offers a sanctuary in a chaotic, AI-centric world.This isn't a debate about AI's utility. It's an urgent call to remember what truly makes us feel alive, to reimagine your relationship with technology, your hands, and your own inherent maker's soul." Jonathan Fields is a dad, husband, award-winning and bestselling author of six books, co-executive producer and host of the top-ranked Good Life Project® podcast, which has been listened to and viewed more than 100-million times. Through his Awake at the Wheel Substack newsletter, he helps you feel more alive and less alone.Jonathan is also the founder of a series of companies focused on human potential, currently serving as CEO of Spark Endeavors, where he developed the Sparketype® Assessment, which has been tapped by over 1-million individuals and organizations to identify and pursue work that reconnects you with purpose, possibility, and joy.He is also a lifelong maker of everything from businesses, experiences, books, and brands to paintings, prints, mixed-media art, acoustic guitars, metalwork, tables, and beyond. Jonathan’s work has been featured widely in the media, from The New York Times, FastCompany, Wall Street Journal, and the Harvard Business Review to Oprah Magazine, SUCCESS, Allure, Parade, Vogue Elle, Outside, Reader’s Digest and more. Learn more at jonathanfields.com This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:373 life lessons from a polar explorer | Annie Aggens | TEDxWilmetteAn Expedition Mindset will transform your life, even if you don't like camping. Annie is a mother, polar guide, author and educator. She regularly gives presentations about polar expeditions and the significance of the polar regions. Her role as a polar guide allows her to teach people about the effects of climate change on the Arctic and polar regions. Favorite tent pastime? Playing her ukulele and while having a hot coco after a long day. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 11:15Using Questions to Build Real Connection in an Age of Loneliness | Amber Johnson | TEDxWilmetteAsking better questions is an unexpected shortcut to more connection and less loneliness. Amber A. Johnson, PhD, is a Chicago-based leadership consultant and communications expert who works with organizations of all sizes to build people-focused, results-driven cultures. She is committed to helping individuals become better leaders, partners, and parents by improving their communication and the questions they ask. Amber’s work has been featured in Forbes.com, Psychology Today, SmartBrief, Substack, and TEDx Wilmette. Find her at https://amberajohnson.substack.com. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 13:20Local news: The thread to reknit our community ties | Kayce Ataiyero | TEDxWilmetteIn an era of increased polarization, local news is how we recreate the community connectivity necessary to a healthy society. Kayce Ataiyero is the Chief External Affairs Officer at the Joyce Foundation, where she oversees the Foundation's strategic communications, the Journalism Program and the Lend A Hand community grants fund. Kayce has extensive experience in communications, journalism and politics. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2018, she led communications for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, the Illinois Governor’s Office and the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. As an award-winning journalist, Kayce previously worked as a staff writer for the Chicago Tribune, The Raleigh News and Observer, Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post. She is board chair of Media Impact Funders, a national organization that advances the work of a broad range of funders committed to supporting media in the public interest. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:15What money really means | Shaarav Bajaj | TEDxKings College SchoolShaarav (Year 9) explores The Psychology of Money and Value, challenging the assumption that humans make rational financial decisions by examining how emotion, social pressure and instant gratification shape our spending choices. He distinguishes between price and value, arguing that true wealth encompasses time, freedom, wellbeing and meaningful relationships rather than mere possessions, before introducing the concept of compound growth and encouraging mindful evaluation of financial decisions that balance immediate pleasure with long-term investment in skills, health and experiences. Shaarav is a Year 9 pupil at King’s College School, Wimbledon. He is very passionate about economics and has been reading many books on the topic lately. He enjoys maths, sciences, and Design Engineering at school and enjoys exploring extra-curricular topics around them. He also loves to play the piano, sings well, and has a passion for cooking and baking. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
