Inaugural Biennial Showcases Over 70 Artists Through Immersive Installations, Community Hubs, and Cultural Programmes Across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
Wael Al Awar, Barzakh, Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial 2024 – 2025. © Lance Gerber
The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is set to launch, bringing an exciting array of art installations and cultural activities to the emirate. As a key pillar of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Biennial will offer a unique opportunity for visitors to experience public art in dynamic and immersive ways.
Running until 30 April 2025, the exhibition explores the concept of ‘public’ within Abu Dhabi’s distinctive cultural and environmental context. Spanning eight curated routes, the Biennial will showcase works by more than 70 artists from the UAE and around the world, reflecting the city’s architecture, communal life, and urban landscape. The routes encourage visitors to explore iconic Abu Dhabi locations on foot or by car, experiencing them from fresh perspectives.
Biennial Routes
The exhibition features eight routes, each offering a different perspective on public art:
- Abu Dhabi Corniche Route – A one-hour walking route featuring works by Wael Al Awar, Oscar Murillo, Farah Al Qasimi, Bik Van der Pol, Tania Candiani, Sammy Baloji, UT-R Studio, and Nicholas Galanin.
- Abu Dhabi Public Parks Route – A one-hour walking route spanning Urban Park, Formal Park, Lake Park, and Recreation Park, with works by Abdullah Al Saadi, Hashel Al Lamki, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Kader Attia, Khalil Rabah, Seema Nusrat, Rami Kashou x Artisans of the UAE, Paweł Althamer, Nathan Coley, Athar Jaber, and Allora & Calzadilla.
- Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal Route – A 30-minute walking route showcasing works by Hussein Sharif, Zeinab Alhashemi, Henrique Oliveira, and Eko Nugroho inside and outside the terminal.
- Downtown Abu Dhabi Route – A one-hour walking route featuring installations by Azza Al Qubaisi, SUPERFLEX, Lúcia Koch, Nathan Coley, Mohammed Al Hawajri, and Radhika Khimji.
- Carpet Souq Route – A 40-minute driving route featuring works by Christopher Joshua Benton, Khalil Rabah, Eddie Clemens, Yeesookyung, and guBuyoBand.
- National Theatre Route – A 30-minute driving route with installations by Afra Al Dhaheri and Kabir Mohanty at Umm Al Emarat Park and the National Theatre.
- Cultural Foundation Route – A 30-minute walking route showcasing works by Mohamed Al Astad, Ayesha Hadir, Wael Shawky, Mircea Cantor, Nnenna Okore, and Load na Dito.
- Al Ain Oasis Route – A 45-minute driving route that includes Hili Archaeological Park and Al Jahili Fort, featuring works by Rawdha Al Ketbi, Shaikha Al Ketbi, Alex Ayed, Nathan Coley, and Yeesookyung.
Community Hubs
Throughout the Biennial, visitors will be able to experience Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape through designated Community Hubs located in the Carpet Souq, Lake Park, Formal Park, Corniche Beach, and Urban Park. These hubs will offer pop-up restaurants, performances, and vibrant retail spaces, providing opportunities to engage with art in a lively and festive atmosphere.
Public Programme
A diverse range of community engagement activities will take place throughout the Biennial, including talks, film screenings, interactive experiences, workshops, children’s activities, guided tours, and wellness events.
Highlights include:
- 19 November – Sound artist Safeya Alblooshi will present an experimental performance with found sounds at Abu Dhabi Corniche at 8:30 pm.
- 22 November – Multidisciplinary artist and curator Ntshepe Tsekere will lead a listening session and discussion at 6:30 pm, exploring sound, memory, and identity in diasporic communities.
- 23 November – guBuyoBand will host an interactive storytelling and painting workshop at Cultural Foundation at 10 am.
- 24 November – Poet and writer Deepak Unnikrishnan will host a literary workshop at 3:30 pm at the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal for audiences aged 18 and above.
Looking Ahead
The Biennial is one of three pillars of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, first announced by DCT Abu Dhabi in March 2023. Alongside annual direct commissions and the biannual Manar Abu Dhabi light art exhibition, the Biennial aims to position Abu Dhabi as a hub for public art and cultural innovation.
A second wave of installations and activities will be unveiled in January 2025, marking the next phase of the Biennial with works by Latifa Saeed, Atelier Aziz Al Qatami, Anga Art Collective, Arquitectura Expandida, Daniel Buren, Alia Farid, Ayesha Hadhir, Emily Jacir, Mobile Akademie Berlin, and Rami Kashou x Artisans of the UAE.
The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial promises to be a landmark event, redefining the role of art in public spaces and engaging audiences in fresh and inspiring ways.
For more information, please visit Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial.
