Shaikha Al Ketbi, Dawaran, Manar Abu Dhabi 2023. Photo: Lance Gerber/Courtesy of the artist and DCT Abu Dhabi
Art season in the region has leveled up in excitement with Abu Dhabi currently hosting a round of brilliant installations. As part of the Abu Dhabi Public Art Exhibition, Manar Abu Dhabi (meaning lighthouse in Arabic) aims to transform the landscape of the capital with a light exhibition running until January 30, 2024.
The inaugural edition of Manar Abu Dhabi dubbed ‘Grounding Light’ is co-curated by Reem Fadda, director of Abu Dhabi Culture Programming and Cultural Foundation, and artistic director of Public Art Abu Dhabi, and Alia Zaal Lootah, curator Public Art. Over 35 site-specific light sculptures, projections, and artworks have been created by local and international artists, to help offer an immersive, multi-sensory experience while celebrating the emirate’s natural beauty.
Ayesha Hadhir, Dawaran, Manar Abu Dhabi 2023. Photo: Lance Gerber/Courtesy of the artist and DCT Abu Dhabi
Hailing from Argentina, Belgium, France, Japan, India, Mexico, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Tunisia, the UAE, UK and USA, artists include Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, Alaa Edris, Asma Belhamar, Ayesha Hadhir, Ayman Zedani, Carsten Holler, Groupe F, Jim Denevan, Jumairy, Latifa Saeed, Rain Wu, Luciana Abait, Mohammed Kazem, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Nujoom Alghanem, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Samia Halaby, Shaikha Al ketbi, Shezad Dawood, Shilpa Gupta Rawdha Al Ketbi, and teamLab.
Those wishing to view the artworks need only visit locations like Fahid Island, Lulu Island, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Eastern Mangroves, and Saadiyat Island, where the first phase of installations have been displayed. More pieces are said to follow on December 20.
