Louvre Abu Dhabi has announced that it will host five major exhibitions in its upcoming 2023-2024 cultural season, starting this summer. The exhibitions will showcase stories of artistic and cultural connections around the world and provide a platform for local and regional artists to showcase their talents. The museum will also offer a range of cultural programming and events to engage and connect with the community, such as performances, masterclasses, health and wellness offerings, curatorial talks, and more.
The first exhibition, Picturing the Cosmos, will be held in the Children’s Museum from 18 July 2023 to June 2025. It will take children on a journey through representations of space in art and address questions such as why humans have always been fascinated by the cosmos and how the sky has been a source of inspiration and imagination through the ages. The exhibition aims to help children develop the observational and analytical skills needed to become space explorers.
The second exhibition, Letters of Light, will be held from 13 September 2023 to 14 January 2024. It will explore the Holy Books of the three Abrahamic religions – the Quran, the Christian Bible, and the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) – and their associated scholarly, talismanic, and mystical practices. Curated by Laurent Héricher and Dr. Souraya Noujaim, the exhibition will foster a dialogue between the monotheistic traditions while respecting the unique characteristics of each.
The third exhibition, Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design, will be held from 15 November 2023 to 24 March 2024. It will highlight the influence of Islamic art on Cartier’s iconic designs and is co-organized with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Musée du Louvre, France Muséums, with the support of Cartier.
Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2023 will showcase works by artists shortlisted for the third Richard Mille Art Prize from 21 November 2023 to February 2024. The fifth and final exhibition, Fables from East and West: from Kalila wa Dimna to the Fables of La Fontaine, will be held from 20 March 2024 to 14 July 2024. It will showcase the influence of animal fables in the ancient world.
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said that the museum’s mission has always centred around providing an inclusive and engaging space where a plethora of voices, ideas, and stories are told. The upcoming exhibitions and events are a testament to the museum’s enduring commitment to serving its community, which are at the heart of all it does. Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Scientific, Curatorial, and Collections Management Director, Louvre Abu Dhabi, added that the exhibitions and programming celebrate the shared creativity of humanity and offer visitors of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to explore a world of wonder through art.