Louvre Abu Dhabi
21 December – 26 August
Co-Lab is part of the Emirati-French Cultural Programme: Dialogue with Louvre Abu Dhabi, an initiative established by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and the Institut Français.
Conceived and produced jointly by the Emirati and French authorities, the Emirati-French Cultural Programme – in dialogue with Louvre Abu Dhabi – fully embraces the creative momentum set in motion by the creation of the museum. First of its kind, this artistic programme is an innovative project based on the excellence of Emirati and French cultural traditions. Through a series of events, it illustrates the creative and skills of artists from both countries, aiming to strengthen their cultural cooperation.
The artworks on display in this exhibition combine the artists’ creativity and artistic vision with the technique and know-how of the French manufacturers. The four artistic projects revolve around the central theme of ‘Time’. Each artist expressed this theme using different approaches and materials. The Sèvres ceramic techniques, the weaving art of Beauvais, the artistic glasses of Saint-Just and the architectural embroidery from MTX, are reworked and exalted by the creative minds of the four UAE-based artists, who have created unique artworks that reflect both an understanding of the UAE, and a reinvention of the use of historical French techniques. With a view to a mutual inspiration, the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres opened its doors to Talin Hazbar to work on ceramics. The manufacturing company of Beauvais embarked upon a collaboration with Khalid Shafar, around the art of weaving. The luxury glassware firm of Saint-Just teamed up with Zeinab Alhashemi. The MTX Broderie Architecturale engaged with Vikram Divecha.
The first phase of this special project, revolving around creation and skills-trading, was first presented at the 2016 edition of Abu Dhabi Art, where the four artists and manufacturers exhibited their concept to the general audience and explained the inspiring cooperation and skills exchange that took place between them.
