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”) will offer residents and visitors opportunities to engage with stunning artworks and experience the transformative power of light.
In its inaugural edition, Manar Abu Dhabi will be 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, Curator Public Art, offering an immersive, multi-sensory experience which celebrates the emirate’s natural beauty, the exhibition will invite audiences to see Abu Dhabi’s coastal areas in a new light.
The artworks will be displayed across several key locations throughout Abu Dhabi, including Lulu, Saadiyat, Jubail, Al Samaliyah and Fahid islands, and other coastal areas such as Corniche Road, and the Eastern mangroves.
Over 35 site-specific artworks by local and international artists have been commissioned for Manar Abu Dhabi, spanning a diverse array 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, artists include 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 ongoing commitment to commissioning public art for the emirate; two other major long-term elements 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 bolster Abu Dhabi’s longstanding efforts in enhancing 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.
- Saadiyat Cultural District
- CulturAll
- ROCOP
-
DISCOVER
-
EXPERIENCE
-
LEARN
Family & Education Resources
-
UNESCO
-
Al Ain Oases
Al Ain Oasis reflects what agriculture in this region has been like for millennia
-
Bida Bint Saud
The area was an important stop on a possible caravan route extending from Al Ain to the north of the United Arab Emirates
-
Hafit Tombs
This ancient caravan site features Bronze Age tombs and a rare Iron Age mud-brick building and irrigation system
-
Hili sites
An elaborate falaj system and one of the country’s earliest mosques make this an important historic site
-
Al-Ayyala
Al-Ayyala is an embodiment of United Arab Emirates culture and Emirati values and heritage
-
Al-Azi
Al-Azi is inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
-
Majlis
a cultural and social space
-
Al-Razfa
a traditional performing art of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates
-
Al-Sadu
traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates
-
Al-Taghrooda
traditional Bedouin chanted poetry in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman
-
Falconry
a living human heritage
-
Gahwa (Arabic coffee)
a symbol of generosity
-
- Educators Resource
-
Heritage Register
- The game of Al Karabi
- Girls’ Doll-making Game
- The game of hatha bayt mennou
- The game of Maryahanat al badw
- The game of Al Dahrouj
- The game of Al Suwair
- The game of es es see
- The game of Gol tabat
- The game of Haqallah
- The game of Humarat Al Qaylah
- The game of meen darabak
- The game of Motor Bou Ajal
- The game of Tug of War
- Wrestling Match, The Wrestler
- Al Ah’hlah
-
Cultural Calendar
- Al Qattara Murals
- Al Mujamma
- Art installations by Emirati artist Zeinab Al Hashemi
- Artistic Development Exhibition Program
- Curatorial Development Exhibition Program
- Emotions! The New Art Adventure
- Experience Mars
- Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2022
- Arabic Manuscripts Conference
- Building With The Earth Exhibition
- Khaleejiness Exhibition
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 Richard Mille Art Prize
- A Touch of Heritage
- The Spirit of the Place
- Al Qattara Film Lab
- Alwaha Cinema
- Manar Abu Dhabi - Artist Assistant Programme
- Winter at Al Dhafra Fort
- Evening in Al Ain Palace Museum
- Al Ain Traditional Arts Days
- Date Harvesting Season
- The Little Guide of Delma Museum
- Al Qattara Lab
- Al Qattara Murals 2023
- Cassette Concert at Al Jahili Fort
- Cinema Al Bait
- Al Ayyala Studio
- Al Qattara Art Workshops
- Summer Camp at Al Dhafra Fort
- Building with Earth Workshop
- Gate of History
- Summer Camp 2024
- Bait Al Oud Lessons at Al Qattara Arts Centre
- Calligraphy Workshop
- Cheeseboard Resin Workshop
- Drawing and Painting Workshop
- Mosaic Masterpieces
- Oil Painting Techniques
- Oud
- Piano
- Pottery Painting
- Shoe-Making Workshop
-
-
-
-
-
- The game of Al Karabi
- Girls’ Doll-making Game
- The game of hatha bayt mennou
- The game of Maryahanat al badw
- The game of Al Dahrouj
- The game of Al Suwair
- The game of es es see
- The game of Gol tabat
- The game of Haqallah
- The game of Humarat Al Qaylah
- The game of meen darabak
- The game of Motor Bou Ajal
- The game of Tug of War
- Wrestling Match, The Wrestler
- Al Ah’hlah
-
-
- Al Qattara Murals
- Al Mujamma
- Art installations by Emirati artist Zeinab Al Hashemi
- Artistic Development Exhibition Program
- Curatorial Development Exhibition Program
- Emotions! The New Art Adventure
- Experience Mars
- Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2022
- Arabic Manuscripts Conference
- Building With The Earth Exhibition
- Khaleejiness Exhibition
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 Richard Mille Art Prize
- A Touch of Heritage
- The Spirit of the Place
-
- Al Qattara Film Lab
- Alwaha Cinema
- Manar Abu Dhabi - Artist Assistant Programme
- Winter at Al Dhafra Fort
- Evening in Al Ain Palace Museum
- Al Ain Traditional Arts Days
- Date Harvesting Season
- The Little Guide of Delma Museum
- Al Qattara Lab
- Al Qattara Murals 2023
- Cassette Concert at Al Jahili Fort
- Cinema Al Bait
-
- Al Ayyala Studio
- Al Qattara Art Workshops
- Summer Camp at Al Dhafra Fort
- Building with Earth Workshop
- Gate of History
- Summer Camp 2024
- Bait Al Oud Lessons at Al Qattara Arts Centre
- Calligraphy Workshop
- Cheeseboard Resin Workshop
- Drawing and Painting Workshop
- Mosaic Masterpieces
- Oil Painting Techniques
- Oud
- Piano
- Pottery Painting
- Shoe-Making Workshop
-