Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi's 'Public Art Abu Dhabi' initiative, the light art exhibition Manar Abu Dhabi opened to the public this week, showcasing compelling light artworks installed across various islands, mangroves, and natural vistas in the capital.
With the theme 'Grounding Light,' rooted in the concept of grounding and self-enlightenment and the belief that light is a reflection of our inner selves, body, mind, nature, and spirit, the city-wide showcase is curated by Reem Fadda and Alia Zaal Lootah and features artworks by over 20 artists.
Ultimately, the exhibition is a platform for self-representation and participation by visitors.
For instance, Fahid Island showcases a monumental land art installation illuminated by 432 solar lanterns, a work created by Jim Denevan and titled Self Similar.
Meanwhile, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer takes over Lulu Island with Translation Island, an interactive journey through 10 large-scale audiovisual multimedia artworks.
Some of the installations use light to represent or interact with natural and cosmic phenomena, while others reflect on the transient nature of existence, human understanding, and misunderstanding.
In this context, Jumairy celebrates the ethereal beauty of bioluminescent Abu Dhabi beaches, provoking reflection on the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Another artist, Luciana Abait compiled her extensive collection of visual and audio recordings from around the world in Agua, an interactive experience where viewers are invited to immerse themselves in a large-scale waterfall projection, symbolizing a spiritual cleansing process.
Shezad Dawood's four-meter-high iridescent Coral Alchemy (Acropora Grove) sculpture on Corniche Beach promotes environmental awareness, highlighting the endangered acropora coral species.
Other artworks reflect Abu Dhabi's history and modernity.
On Lulu Island, Nujoom Al-Ghanem celebrates Abu Dhabi seafaring heritage with a large-scale installation of dhow boats, with artworks by Ayesha Hadhir, Rawdha Al-Ketbi, and Shaikha Al-Ketbi who create a playful journey through the Eastern Mangroves.
Abu Dhabi’s ever-evolving landscape is captured by Ahmed Al-Areef in his video projection on the Abu Dhabi Chamber Building, featuring archival photos of the city’s historic and contemporary skylines.
Asma Belhamar reflects on how those who grow up in the UAE experience changes in architecture and landscape through transient moments. Her work titled Groupe F is a drone and light painting show that transforms the night sky, offering a glimpse at Saadiyat Island's landmark architectural future.
Transforming Corniche Beach into her canvas with the aid of two LED screens, artist Samia Halaby merges painting with kinetic technology, giving typically visual ideas a concrete body, reflecting growth and development.
Al-Samaliyah Island art project
This is the first series of site-specific artworks on display across Abu-Dhabi. A second series of artworks will be unveiled on Al-Samaliyah Island on 20 December, lasting until 30 January 2024.
Among the artists whose projects will open in the second half of December, teamLab uses digital technologies to create startling immersive artworks that transport viewers to a world where nature and technology converge in harmony.
For instance, artist Ayman Zedani studies the interplay between humans and the natural world in his work Terrapolis, blurring the lines between life forms and prompting reflection on our connection to the Earth and other species in the modern Gulf environment.
In Jubail Mangrove Park, Rain Wu’s immersive installation 'One with the Soil, One with the Cloud' will illuminate the life cycle of mangrove trees through a floating swarm of lights, celebrating the beauty and ephemerality of existence while offering a unique view of the living world from above.
Finally, in celebration of a rising cultural district in the making, Alaa Edris will offer a new perspective on Saadiyat Island with the new Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum as a backdrop.
In conjunction with the art installations, a schedule of public talks, workshops, and performances is offered to visitors over the course of the exhibition. These endeavors highlight Public Art Abu Dhabi’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the emirate’s public spaces through art, building upon a vibrant cultural legacy while looking forward to a future rich with creative potential.
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