Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has launched its first public art biennial. Until April 30, 2025, the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will transform into expansive open-air galleries, celebrating creativity and culture. The biennial explores the theme of "Publicness", showcasing how art connects people and cultures.
Art Without Walls – Accessible to All
Over 70 artists from around the globe are participating in Experience Abu Dhabi’s biennial, presenting intricate installations and performances seamlessly integrated into the urban landscapes of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. These artworks engage with themes of community, environment, and identity, inviting the public to interact with them in meaningful ways.
Highlights of the Biennial
Among the standout art pieces is Farah Al Qasimi’s sound sculpture "Homesickness", which immerses visitors in the sounds of the sea while reflecting on its cultural and ecological significance.
Another highlight is "Floating Fragments" by Seema Nusrat, an installation depicting a house submerged by floodwaters, symbolizing the escalating threats posed by climate change.
The biennial also reimagines traditional cultural spaces, such as the Carpet Souk, in Christopher Benton’s "Where Lies My Carpet Is Thy Home", transforming the market into a vibrant gathering place for community connection.
Visitors can also rethink time and space with Afra Al Dhaheri’s immersive installation, "D-constructing Collective Exhaustion", crafted from wood, rope, light, and sound. This work encourages reflection on presence, time, and attention.
Exploring the architecture of the future is Wael Al Awar’s "Barzakh", an installation that delves into the thresholds and boundaries of architecture, prompting a rethinking of materials and processes for sustainable design.
An Invitation to Experience Art and Hospitality
The Abu Dhabi Biennial invites visitors to discover not only art, culture, the values and thoughts of the destination but also the renowned hospitality of the United Arab Emirates. This open-air exhibition, planned as a biennial event, has been welcoming visitors since November 15, 2024, and will run until April 30, 2025. A refreshed program will debut in January 2025.
For details about the current program, artists, and exhibition locations, visit paad.ae/biennial.
Cover Image: Barzakh by Wael Al Awar, exhibited at the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial 2024-2025 (Photo Credit: Lance Gerber)
Related Topics: Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial 2024–2025, open-air exhibition, art installations, art events, experiential concepts, innovative event ideas, experience design, DCT Abu Dhabi, Experience Abu Dhabi, art and culture, desert art, modern art, rethinking art, immersive art, interaction with art, biennale, biannial event
Summary: Abu Dhabi’s First Biennale Transforms Cities into Open-Air Galleries
This text was translated from the German EventMasterBook.de Magazine (see article Erste Biennale Abu Dhabi). Please excuse any translation errors.
Categories:
