Over 35 artworks to be showcased across coastal Abu Dhabi, featuring international artists and large-scale light installations
This November, Abu Dhabi will once again be illuminated with imagination, innovation, and artistry as Manar Abu Dhabi returns for its second edition.
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A pioneering initiative under Public Art Abu Dhabi, Manar, meaning “lighthouse” in Arabic, will reawaken the emirate’s coastlines, islands, and public spaces with a new wave of breathtaking light art installations.
A beacon of creativity
First launched in 2023 by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Manar Abu Dhabi transforms the city’s natural landscapes into a mesmerising gallery of site-specific light sculptures, projections, and immersive experiences.
This public art exhibition is not just a visual spectacle; it’s a celebration of nature, culture, and creative expression.
Building on the success of its inaugural theme, Grounding Light, this year’s edition promises to push boundaries even further.
Expect dynamic new works that invite the public to reconnect with the land, sea, and sky in deeply sensory ways.
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A global vision
With over 35 artists hailing from across the globe, including the UAE, Japan, France, Mexico, and beyond, the exhibition brings together an extraordinary mix of perspectives and mediums.
From large-scale light sculptures and ethereal projections to interactive performances, Manar Abu Dhabi will once again turn the city into a living canvas.
Names like teamLab, Carsten Höller, Shezad Dawood, Shilpa Gupta, and UAE’s own Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri and Nujoom Alghanem are just a few of the luminaries returning or debuting with newly commissioned works.
Coastal magic
This year’s luminous trail will span iconic coastal locations such as Lulu, Saadiyat, Jubail, Al Samaliyah, and Fahid islands, alongside landmarks like Corniche Road and the Eastern Mangroves.
These picturesque settings offer the perfect backdrop for Manar’s blend of technology, storytelling, and public engagement.
Manar Abu Dhabi is one of three major pillars under the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme, alongside the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, launched in 2024, and a robust series of ongoing artist commissions.
Together, these initiatives aim to weave creativity into the very fabric of the city; honouring Abu Dhabi’s cultural legacy while propelling it toward a bold artistic future.
Stay tuned for the full programme and schedule of events, launching 15 November. Let the light lead the way!
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