Embodying the history of cinema in Saudi Arabia and the five-decade cinema ban from the late 1970s until 2020 as communal space. Inspired by Bricklab’s previous work designing Hay Cinema at Hayy Jameel Art Center in Jeddah, the installation represents those conceptual ideas in a pure form free from the functional needs of an operating theater. The work is divided into three distinct spaces, each representing a different era of Saudi cinema through its own screen and viewing environment: the pre-ban era, the ban era, and the post-ban era.
A speckled gray carpet, evoking television static, covers the two main structures and the negative space between them to evoke the look and feel of television static. This texture is symbolic, suggesting feelings associated with the cinema ban period—uncertainty, discomfort, nostalgia, and isolation. Given that the five-decade cinema ban was during a critical time in the development of global cinema culture and history, static covers all representative spaces since it shapes how we view the past and how Saudi cinema has and will continue to develop in the future.

Each of the three spaces embodies a unique viewing experience, recreating cinema's evolution in Saudi Arabia as a Formal Space,  Ban Space, and an Informal Space. The Formal Space is designed after commercial cinemas, fostering local talent with multiple screening areas allowing for simultaneous film showings, reflecting the current, post-ban era. The Ban Space draws inspiration from the informal, makeshift spaces that emerged during the cinema ban period, addressing the need for accessible rehearsal and performance areas within Jeddah. In contrast, The Informal Setting takes after Jeddah’s historic Al Balad “Cinema Al-Housh” (the garden cinema), providing a relaxed environment reminiscent of pre-ban days when cinema was more community-oriented and open-air.  
To inform the installation’s design, Bricklab interviewed experts in Saudi Arabia’s film industry, gaining insights into the field's development and challenges. Through this investigation and the subsequent installation, Bricklab explores the role of cinema in Saudi society, capturing and documenting its transformation from a site of cultural connection and dialogue to a symbol of isolation and, once again, a place for community. The work emphasizes cinema’s unique power to transcend walls, connect audiences, and preserve cultural narratives across generations.