In a stunning display of artistic prowess, Abu Dhabi has unveiled its inaugural Manar exhibition, transforming the desert landscape into a mesmerizing canvas for 35 new public art commissions. The headline act, “Self-Similar” by US artist Jim Denevan, stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural scene.
Denevan’s masterpiece, a series of hand-sculpted pyramids reaching a majestic height of 27 meters, sprawls across nearly a square kilometer just outside Abu Dhabi. Aptly titled “Self Similar,” this awe-inspiring land artwork echoes the artist’s previous creation, “Angle of Repose,” in Saudi Arabia’s ancient desert region of AlUla for Desert X in 2022. The installation serves as the centerpiece for the Manar Abu Dhabi initiative, a Public Art Abu Dhabi endeavor running from Nov. 15 to Jan. 30.
The term “Manar” itself, meaning “lighthouse” in Arabic, reflects the city’s commitment to illuminating its cultural landscape. According to Reem Fadda, co-curator of the exhibition and director of Abu Dhabi Cultural Programming and Cultural Foundation, as well as the artistic director of Public Art Abu Dhabi, Manar embodies the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi’s dedication to public art and the transformative power of light.
Fadda explains, “Light art has a unique ability to interact with and enhance natural and urban landscapes, making it an ideal medium to showcase in Abu Dhabi’s diverse environments. By integrating art with the city’s archipelagos and mangroves, Manar fosters a new way of seeing and experiencing our surroundings.”
Under the theme of “Grounding Light,” the inaugural exhibition aims to connect the ethereal aspect of light with the physical world, symbolizing the harmonious blend of Abu Dhabi’s natural beauty with the creative expression of light. The 35 new site-specific commissions feature works by internationally acclaimed artists such as Mohammed Kazem, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Samia Halaby, Ala Edris, and Carsten Holler.
Mohammed Kazem’s contribution, a 20-meter-high lighthouse structure on Al-Samaliyah Island, continues his narrative of man at sea, reflecting the essence of Manar Abu Dhabi. Palestinian artist Samia Halaby presents “Kinetic Painting” pieces, a technological evolution of her work exhibited since the 1990s, now showcased on Corniche Beach.
Emirati artist Latifa Saeed’s “Al-Duroob,” positioned on Abu Dhabi’s corniche, stands as a testament to the open dialogue between UAE-based artists and their international counterparts. Comprising 5,000 glass bricks, the structure explores the interplay between veiling and unveiling, constriction and contraction, boundlessness and restriction.
“The platform supports an open dialogue between UAE-based artists and international artists,” says Latifa Saeed. “We are witnessing a flourishing art scene which reflects the vitality and cultural richness of our nation. It’s a testament to creativity, expression, and the vibrancy of our society.”
Manar Abu Dhabi not only showcases the diverse interpretations of light by artists worldwide but also marks a significant cultural milestone for the city, reinforcing its position as a global hub for artistic expression and creativity.