Dubai's creative scene is increasingly a springboard for global cultural ventures. While large media companies often dominate headlines, independent creators are quietly changing how large-scale productions take shape. One of them is 19-year-old Ukrainian music producer and composer Hlib Futymskyi, known as D-BELL. Based in Dubai for the past decade, he is independently leading IRIS — a comic-based music project bringing together more than 100 musicians, vocalists and visual artists in one science-fiction story.
What sets IRIS apart is its independent structure. Futymskyi writes the story, composes the music, arranges the orchestrations, directs studio sessions in Dubai and the United States, and handles mixing and mastering himself. BusinessNews.ae spoke with D-BELL about the ambition behind IRIS, managing more than 100 collaborators, and why Dubai suits independent cross-disciplinary creators.
- Project: IRIS
- Lead creator: Hlib Futymskyi (D-BELL), 19
- Based in: Dubai, UAE (10-year resident)
- Scale: 100+ participating artists
- Format: Sci-fi comic, soundtrack and planned live events
- Recording: Dubai and the United States
- Planned completion: December 2026
The vision: why merge comics, philosophy and music?
“IRIS started with the idea of creating something that would go beyond a traditional music release. I wanted to build an original world where music and storytelling could exist together, with each composition representing a different part of that world. This developed into a science-fiction story that I wrote myself, which is now being developed as a comic, with the music serving as its soundtrack. I was also interested in exploring deeper ideas through the story, including human connection, different perspectives, and the power of creativity. My goal was to create an experience where people could discover the story visually through the comic and emotionally through the music.”
“My goal was to create an experience where people could discover the story visually through the comic and emotionally through the music.”
— Hlib Futymskyi (D-BELL), creator and director of IRIS
The scale: coordinating more than 100 artists independently
“One of the biggest challenges has been bringing together so many different artists, cultures, musical backgrounds, and creative approaches while maintaining one consistent vision. Every musician brings something unique, and my responsibility is to make sure each contribution has its own identity while still fitting into the larger project. I personally oversee every stage, from composition and arrangements to recording, production, mixing, mastering, and coordinating collaborations. I've recorded instruments in my own studio as well as in larger professional studios in Dubai and the United States of America. One of the biggest breakthroughs has been seeing how musicians and artists from completely different backgrounds can come together and create something none of them would have created individually.”
Dubai as a creative hub
“I've been based in Dubai for around 10 years, and I've had the opportunity to experience the city's creative scene from a young age. What I find particularly interesting about Dubai is how many different cultures, nationalities, and artistic backgrounds exist alongside one another. This creates opportunities for collaborations that might be much harder to find elsewhere. Over the years, I've also had the chance to work with Arabic and Emirati musicians, regional artists, orchestras, and performers, and to be involved in different musical events and creative environments. I believe Dubai has enormous potential for independent creators who want to experiment, collaborate internationally, and develop projects that bring different disciplines together.”
The rollout: what comes next
“IRIS is currently in production, with completion planned for December 2026. The project will bring together its original music and science-fiction story, with the comic providing the visual side of the experience and the compositions acting as its soundtrack. I'm also exploring possibilities for presenting IRIS through dedicated events in Dubai around December 2026 – January 2027, although the dates are yet to be confirmed. I want these events to be more than traditional music performances, combining live music, visual storytelling, and different artistic elements. There is still a lot to develop, and I'm looking forward to gradually introducing the project to audiences.”
Advice for independent creators in the region
“My biggest advice would be not to limit yourself to what is normally expected within your discipline. If you have an idea that combines music, visual art, storytelling, or something completely different, don't be afraid to explore it. At the same time, having a creative vision is only the beginning; you need to be prepared to learn every part of the process, take responsibility, and stay involved even in the smallest details. I'm 19, and working on IRIS has taught me a lot about patience, coordination, problem-solving, and the importance of building genuine relationships with other artists. Most importantly, I believe you don't need to wait for a large company or institution to start building something ambitious. You can begin independently, bring people together, and develop your vision step by step.”
About D-BELL and IRIS
Hlib Futymskyi (D-BELL) is a 19-year-old Ukrainian music producer, composer and project director who has lived in Dubai for over ten years. Through D-BELL Productions he leads IRIS, an independently produced science-fiction comic and music project with contributions from more than 100 artists. Event dates have not yet been confirmed.
Website: d-bell.com · Instagram: @officialdbellmusic · Media: media@d-bell.com