Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial debuts on 15 November, uniting 70 artists in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is set to launch the inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, themed Public Matter, on 15 November 2024.
Running till 30 April 2025, the Biennial will transform Abu Dhabi and Al Ain with site-specific installations and performances by over 70 contemporary artists from the UAE and beyond.
As part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, this Biennial celebrates art in shared spaces, redefining how Abu Dhabi’s unique landscape, architecture, and vibrant multicultural community shape its public life.
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Artists, including Oscar Murillo, Farah Al Qasimi, Zeinab Alhashemi, and Christopher Joshua Benton, will create pieces that reflect the interplay of heritage, urban transformation, and the environment.
DCT Abu Dhabi Chairman, HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, envisions the Biennial as a “transformative cultural experience.”
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This flagship event brings art directly to the public, offering installations in central locations across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain that invite both residents and visitors to connect with the city’s cultural pulse.
Rita Aoun, DCT Abu Dhabi’s Culture Sector Executive Director, highlights the Biennial as a bridge between Abu Dhabi’s heritage and its future, enhancing cultural identity and community pride.
She emphasises that these public art encounters foster a shared sense of belonging, inviting everyone to engage with Abu Dhabi’s aesthetic and cultural stories.
The Biennial’s theme, Public Matter, delves into what defines public space in Abu Dhabi’s unique environment. Installations like Arquitectura Expandida’s Urban Negotiation and Oscar Murillo’s large-scale canvas on the Corniche engage visitors in questioning the role of art in urban landscapes.
The Biennial, one of three pillars of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, joins the annual Manar Abu Dhabi light art exhibition, both of which underscore DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to nurturing creativity.
This debut edition marks a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s mission to establish itself as a cultural hub, welcoming the world to experience a vibrant new chapter in its artistic evolution.
All the details you need to know
DATES
15 November 2024 – 30 April 2025
LOCATIONS
Various sites across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
For more information on the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, visit the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
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