Manar Abu Dhabi Exhibition concludes its second session, celebrating the emirate’s natural landscapes

ABU DHABI, 9 JANUARY / WAM / Manar Abu Dhabi, the public art exhibition dedicated to the arts of light organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and the main focus of the “Abu Dhabi Public Art Initiative”, concluded the activities of its second session.

The exhibition attracted more than 800,000 visitors, bringing together various segments of society in an immersive artistic experience that re-presented islands, forests, mangroves, oases and urban environments from a new creative perspective, highlighting the diversity of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the beauty of its natural and urban landscapes.

The exhibition included 15 artists and artistic groups from the UAE and the world, representing 10 countries, who displayed 22 innovative works of art, ranging from sculptures, statues, light shows, and immersive interactive experiences designed specifically for the sites. Based on the success achieved by its inaugural session, the second session of Manar Abu Dhabi witnessed a qualitative expansion that included for the first time the cultural sites in the city of Al Ain, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, in a pivotal station that strengthened the dialogue between artistic expression. The contemporary and historical environments of the emirate, and added a deeper dimension to the exhibition experience and its cultural implications.

Under the artistic vision of Kai Hori (Artistic Director), Alia Zaal Lootah (Curator), Munira Al Sayegh (Curator), and Maryam Al Shehhi (Assistant Curator), this year’s Manar Abu Dhabi exhibition was titled “Your Guide, Suhail Star,” drawing inspiration from the relationship between ancestors in the Arabian Gulf region and exploring its role as a tool for guidance in astronomy and an artistic medium at the same time.

The curatorial vision relied on an approach that stimulates the curiosity of discovery and stimulates dialogue, thus encouraging transformative encounters between the audience, the artists, and their artistic works. In doing so, Manar Abu Dhabi reaffirmed the ability of public art to illuminate the emirate’s landscapes, while at the same time highlighting the collective spirit that links communities to the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

In addition to artistic works, Manar Abu Dhabi presented an extensive public program that combined art, technology, luxury, and society. The program included interactive dialogues that explored the relationship between art, technology and public spaces, and performances by local and international artists, including international singer Amal Mathlouthi; Creative and educational workshops led by artists; Programs related to climate and well-being; In addition to “We Are Una”, an exclusive immersive dining experience that marks the debut of the We Are Una initiative in the Middle East.

Manar Abu Dhabi is a major focus of the “Abu Dhabi Public Art” initiative launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and reflects its continued commitment to enhancing the emirate’s urban landscape through public art.

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