A Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, transforming, the city's natural vistas with a series of mesmerising light art exhibitions.

Manar Abu Dhabi is a Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative showcasing an exhibition of new commissions and site-specific light sculptures, projections, and immersive artworks by local and international artists.

A key pillar of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in early 2023, Manar (the Arabic word for “lighthouse”) offers residents and visitors opportunities to engage with stunning artworks and experience the transformative power of light.

Second Edition:

Manar Abu Dhabi will once again illuminate the archipelagos, mangroves and oases of Abu Dhabi from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.

Under the theme ‘The Light Compass’, this edition will feature over 23 newly commissioned works and site-specific light sculptures, projections and immersive installations by Emirati and international artists. Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 is curated by Khai Hori, Artistic Director, and co-curated with Alia Zaal Lootah, Curator; Munira Al Sayegh; Curator; and Mariam Alshehhi, Assistant Curator.

Jubail Island will serve as the centerstage for Manar Abu Dhabi 2025, anchoring this year’s expanded edition. For the first time, the exhibition will extend to the city of Al Ain, alongside an exciting rollout across other city locations, reflecting the festival's growing cultural footprint across the region.

Jubail Island

Located between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, Jubail Island will be the anchor location for Manar Abu Dhabi 2025, featuring artworks by the following artists:

• EDEN (2025), a large-scale outdoor installation by Malaysian artist Pamela Poh
• UNFOLD (2025), WHISPERS (2025) and a captivating drone performance WIND OF CHANGE, (2025) by multidisciplinary studio DRIFT
• CONTINGENT OBJECT (2025), by Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou
• Four interactive installations; AS WATER FALLS (2022), FACES (2022), CONTROL NO CONTROL (2012), FORTUNES (2024) by Montreal-based digital art studio Iregular
• Other artists featured on Jubail Island include Ezequiel Pini (a.k.a. Six N. Five); Christian Brinkmann; Kirsten Berg; Encor Studio; and Lachlan Turczan.

Al Qattara Oasis Trail

Al Qattara Oasis Trail presents three artworks, with each installation responding to the oasis’ landscape and heritage:

• TRANSLATION STREAM (2023) and PULSE CANOPY (2025) by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
• SADU RED CARPET (2025) by Khalid Shafar

Al Jimi Oasis Trail

Boasting a dense canopy of palm trees, the Jimi Oasis Trail invites visitors to continue their journey through the oasis and encounter five artworks:

• CYCLE OF CIRCLES (2025) by multidisciplinary Emirati artist Ammar Al Attar
• BREATH OF THE SAME PLACE (2025) by Emirati artists Maitha Hamdan
• GUIDING DRAPES (2025) by Abdulla Al Mulla
• FLORAL RESONANCE (2024), an interactive audiovisual installation by Christian Brinkmann

Souq Al Mina

Set against the city skyline of Mina Zayed (Zayed Port), KAWS (b. 1974, Jersey City, USA) with long-time partner AllRightsReserved presents KAWS: HOLIDAY Abu Dhabi, featuring an illuminated COMPANION, the artist’s signature character, reclining on its back and lifting a lit moon in its hands.

First Edition:

The inaugural edition of Manar Abu Dhabi was held under the theme Grounding Light, 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. Offering an immersive, multi-sensory experience that celebrated the emirate’s natural beauty, the exhibition invited audiences to see Abu Dhabi’s coastal areas in a new light.

Artworks were displayed across key locations in Abu Dhabi, including Lulu, Saadiyat, Jubail, Al Samaliyah, and Fahid islands, as well as coastal areas such as Corniche Road and the Eastern Mangroves.

Over 35 site-specific artworks by local and international artists were commissioned for Manar Abu Dhabi, spanning a diverse range of mediums including light projections, sculptures, installations, and performances. Hailing from Argentina, Belgium, France, Japan, India, Mexico, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Tunisia, the UAE, UK, and USA, participating artists included 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.

Manar Abu Dhabi is part of Public Art Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to commissioning public art for the emirate. Two other major long-term initiatives include the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, launching in November 2024, and artist commissions. Since its launch in March 2023, Public Art Abu Dhabi has continued to enhance Abu Dhabi’s longstanding efforts to enrich spaces of historical, aesthetic, architectural, social, scientific, and technological value, paying homage to the vibrant cultural legacy of the Capital while looking to the future.