Manar Abu Dhabi gets expansion
The capital of the United Arab Emirates has been filled with even brighter colours – the famous light art festival Manar Abu Dhabi has been expanded. The second series of the festival started on 21 December.
Until the end of January 2024, visitors to the festival can see the installations “One with the Soil” and “One with the Cloud” by Taiwanese artist Rein Wu in Jubail Island Park, which have given a new charm to the mangroves.
Artist Alaa Edris created the video projection Rise near Mamsha Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island, near the future Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi: it shows how the “cultural” island is being developed.
Al Samalia Island features seven works by international art collective TeamLab (which will also open TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island in the coming years).
On the same island, Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem has installed Directions, UAE, a lamppost with the numerical coordinates of each of the seven emirates, and Saudi artist Ayman Zedani has installed Terrapolis.
Al Samalia Island can be reached by boat, which departs from Yas Bay Quay daily, from 5.30pm to 10.30pm, every 30 minutes.
As part of Manar Abu Dhabi, the capital’s archipelagos and mangroves have received artistic illumination. Sculptures, projections, installations and immersive artworks have been created by both local and international artists.
The exhibition, which will run until 30 January 2024, aims to highlight the natural beauty of the capital of the United Arab Emirates, whose coastline has taken on new colours. The UAE authorities have commissioned more than 35 works of art for the exhibition from more than 13 countries including Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Palestine, Tunisia, the UK and more.
The exhibition features works by artists such as Ahmed Al Arif Al Daheri, Alaa Edris, Asma Belhamar, Ayman Zedani, Carsten Heller, Group F and a host of others. Art installations can be seen in Lulu, Saadiyat, Yas, Jubail, Al Samaliyah and Fahid.
Areas of Abu Dhabi such as the waterfront, Mina Zayed Port and the mangroves have also been illuminated. This year’s Manar (which means “lighthouse” in Arabic) is being held under the theme Grounding Light. “The magic of light art lies in its ability to transcend traditional boundaries, bringing together people from all walks of life,” said the organisers of the exhibition.
The event was curated by Reem Fadda, director of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, and artist Alia Zaal Lootah. Manar Abu Dhabi will also feature a programme of discussions, workshops and performances.
Source: Time Out Abu Dhabi
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