Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Under the theme "Public Matter" and with the participation of over 70 UAE-based and international artists, the first edition of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is showcasing site-specific installations and performances across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Biennial, running until April 30, explores the evolving concept of "public" in the city, examining how public spaces, influenced by the environment, architecture, and community life, shape Abu Dhabi's identity.
Furthermore, the Biennial aims to enhance cultural infrastructure, community engagement, and wellbeing through large-scale installations, sculptures, and performances across multiple outdoor venues.
Carmen Salah Hassan, one of the curators of the Biennial, explained how the locations for the Biennial were carefully selected for their cultural and historical significance.
"The locations were chosen for their historical, cultural, and social importance, as well as their accessibility to diverse audiences," Hassan told Aletihad.
Iconic venues like the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal and Al Ain Oasis were selected as they represent contrasting aspects of the city, showcasing both modern and vernacular environments.
These sites, Carmen noted, "serve as both canvas and context, allowing the installations to engage directly with the community".
The theme "Public Matter" also seeks to engage residents and visitors in an ongoing conversation about public spaces in a rapidly transforming metropolis.
"These public spaces interact with the artworks by serving as meeting points where the past, present, and future of Abu Dhabi's public identity converge," Carmen said.
The Biennial not only connects the city's history with contemporary art but also invites the public to participate in a new kind of dialogue around urban development and social dynamics.
According to Carmen, the open-air nature of the Biennial invites audiences "to experience art as part of their daily lives, fostering an organic connection with the works".
Unlike the more curated environments of galleries and museums, outdoor public spaces create a less formal and more inclusive atmosphere.
Visitors can engage with the art on their own terms, making it accessible to all, she said.
"The diversity in mediums mirrors the diversity of Abu Dhabi's public spaces and communities, while the consistent focus on public engagement ensures a coherent thematic thread throughout the Biennial," Carmen added.
The Biennial also integrates local culture and the natural environment in its programming.
"Indigenous culture and environmental conditions are central to the Biennial's identity," she noted, stressing the importance of incorporating local narratives into the broader artistic conversation.
The Biennial's public programming, featuring talks, performances, and wellness activities, strengthens its community focus by fostering dialogue between the artworks and the public, and connecting the exhibition to Abu Dhabi's evolving cultural identity.
Hashel Al Lamki, a prominent Emirati artist featured in the Biennial, shared his commitment to reducing his environmental impact in an interview with Aletihad.
"My sustainability journey began at home, influenced by my parents' resource-consciousness during the 80s and 90s," he said.
At the Biennial, Al Lamki chose to print his works on recycled aluminum panels to reduce his carbon footprint.
"I joined the Gallery Climate Coalition to track and reduce my environmental impact," he said, spotlighting the importance of sustainability in contemporary art practice.
Al Lamki's work also reflects the UAE's industrial growth, especially over the past five decades, exploring the interplay between human actions and the environment.
He noted that his studio in Mussafah, a key industrial area, influences his creative process, where discarded materials - such as scrap metal - become valuable resources for new works.
Al Lamki is hopeful about the future of art and sustainability in the UAE.
"I hope for a brighter future and encourage more artists to join this conversation," he said, highlighting the importance of global collaboration on sustainability issues.
With institutions like the Gallery Climate Coalition, Al Lamki believes that artists can connect and drive change.
