Check Out These Site-Specific Artworks in Al Ain!

Abu Dhabi, 4 January 2018: Abu Dhabi Art’s year-round public programme continues to draw visitors with site-specific commissioned artwork by established contemporary artists, Manal Al Dowayan, and Nasser Al Salem, part of Beyond: Artist Commissions.

Located in the Al Ain Region, the large-scale sculptures and installations were unveiled during the 9 th edition of the annual art fair.

Manal Al Dowayan’s public art project entitled You Are From Me and I Am From You at Al Ain Oasis. A study of the unseen, the invisible, and the hidden, Al Dowayan worked on-ground at the UNESCOprotected heritage site, studying and mapping palm tree root systems with ground-penetrating radar in an attempt to create an encounter between the public and an alternate universe of the palm roots that speak a sophisticated silent language, communicating complex information via smell, taste, and electrical impulses. Her artwork attempts to examine a parallel world, with the hopes that it will unlock an understanding of other unseen worlds.

Nasser Al Salem’s site-specific, moving installation Yuheb is located in the historic Al Jahili Fort, which was originally erected in 1891 to protect the city of Al Ain. Al Salem specifically chose the fort as the location for his work in an endeavour to explore the paradoxical notion of war and inner conflict stemming from profound love.

The third artwork as part of the Beyond programme is by Egyptian artist, Magdi Mostaf. Mostafa’s sitespecific, multi-channel sound and light pre-programmed installation was unveiled during Abu Dhabi Art 2017 at Manarat Al Saadiyat and is also on view this month to public.

Beyond is an annual programme of large-scale sculptures and installations organised by Abu Dhabi Art and located throughout the city of Abu Dhabi.

The installations are open to public view until 27 January 2018.

About The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

About Abu Dhabi Art – Abu Dhabi Art expands beyond the notion of a traditional art fair, in placing strong emphasis on a diverse public engagement programme, including art installations and exhibitions, talks and events that take place in different locations throughout the year. The culmination of this year-long programme is the Abu Dhabi Art event in November, which provides an important sales platform for participating galleries whilst also offering these galleries an opportunity to showcase ambitious installations and sitespecific works by their artists to an audience of over 20,000 visitors.

About Al Ain Oasis – In the heart of the city, the Al Ain Oasis has been opened as the UAE’s first curated UNESCO World Heritage site visitor experience. Spread over 1,200 hectares (nearly 3,000 acres) and containing more than 147,000 date palms of up to 100 different varieties, this impressive oasis is filled with palm plantations, many of which are still working farms.

Al Jahili Fort – The picturesque Al Jahili Fort is one of the UAE’s most historic buildings. It was erected in 1891 to defend the city and protect precious palm groves. The former headquarters of the Oman Trucial Scouts, the force that protected the mountain passes and kept inter-tribal peace, it also served as a residence for the local governor. It is set in beautifully landscaped gardens, and visitors are encouraged to explore it.