Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi launches Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial

The first edition of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will launch on 15 November 2024 until 30 April 2025 at various location in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, bringing together art installations and performances by more than 70 international and UAE-based artists creating site-specific installations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain under the Biennial theme, Public Matter.

Artists include Allora & Calzadilla, Arquitectura Expandida, Christopher Benton, Farah Al Qasimi, flyingCity, Hashel Al Lamki, Kabir Mohanty, Khalil Rabah, Oscar Murillo, Radhika Khimji, Sammy Baloji, Tarik Kiswanson, Wael Al Awar, Zeinab Alhashemi, and more.

The first Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial explores the concept of ‘public’ within the context of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's public life is shaped by various factors that include environmental conditions, communal way of living, indigeneity, architecture, and city planning. Over the past five decades, the emirate has become home to a diverse population and values such as hospitality and generosity, intrinsic to the Abu Dhabi way of life and its culture, have become even more critical. The first Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial aims to explore the cultural imaginaries of diverse communities and the conditions under which they become public.

The Biennial, a tribute to the importance of public art, is strategically located where the public can easily access it in the downtown areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The artists have been invited to create site-specific works as well as performances that will directly engage with communities. Arquitectura Expandida’s commission, Urban Negotiation, will create new urban landscapes and stories by designing and constructing self-built mobile furnishings.

Farah Al Qasimi's Untitled, 2024 auditory sculpture encourages passers-by to engage with the sound and reflect on the ocean's importance in the region. Others will make use of the historical, architectural, and social textures of the outdoor metropolitan environment. Oscar Murillo’s 80-meter-long canvas will be stretched across Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, exploring the city’s rapid urban expansion. Christopher Benton will transform the Carpet Souk into a vibrant communal space, and Zeinab Al Hashemi will pay homage to Abu Dhabi’s Central Bus Terminal, encouraging viewers to explore the interplay between urban development and nature’s resilience. 

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "We are launching the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial as part of our cultural vision. It will be a unique platform for our community to appreciate our cultural heritage and be inspired by contemporary art. We are committed to supporting creatives in Abu Dhabi, the Global South, and the rest of the world through flagship art programmes such as the Biennial. Taking over Abu Dhabi and Al Ain downtown, the Biennial will contribute to the Department of Culture and Tourism’s mission in enhancing the emirate’s status as a cultural destination, providing transformative, inclusive, accessible art to both our residents and visitors.”

Rita Aoun, Culture Sector Executive Director, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial embodies the essence of Abu Dhabi's rich heritage, inviting our community to engage with the city's history, aesthetics, and societal values through diverse artistic expressions. Our public art initiatives foster the collective cultural identity of the emirate, enhancing the experience of art for everyone and strengthening our residents’ sense of pride. Our goal is for everyone in Abu Dhabi, whether resident or visitor, to forge their own connection with the city, inspired by the unique stories and creativity of our artists."

The Biennial is one of three pillars of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in March 2023. The initiative includes annual direct commission works, the biannual Manar Abu Dhabi light exhibition (the first edition ran from 15 November 2023 to 30 January 2024), and the upcoming Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial.

The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial affirms DCT’s dedication to commissioning public art for the emirate and will occur in alternate years to the light art exhibition, Manar Abu Dhabi. Its inaugural edition attracted over 650,000 visitors with 37 installations by 22 artists, 50 per cent of them UAE-based, offering an immersive experience under the Grounding Light theme. The 78-day event, part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s efforts to nurture creative talent, featured an extensive public programme including talks, workshops, performances, and educational activities, engaging students, artist assistants, and the public in a transformative cultural showcase that honours Abu Dhabi's legacy while embracing its future.