Cultural Foundation Unveils New Series of Exhibitions, Short Films and Installations

20 Oct, 2021

Today Abu Dhabi's Cultural Foundation unveiled brand-new exhibitions, art installations and short films which showcase and celebrate the UAE’s storied history, inspirational art and deep-rooted culture.

Running until 15 February 2022, the exhibitions include Al Mujamma, which tells the story of Cultural Foundation through interactive archival displays, alongside new commissioned installations by three Emirati artists. Additionally, a series of short films which shed light on the story of six artists in the UAE is being shown, as well as the Experience Mars children’s exhibition, an immersive experience celebrating the UAE’s achievements in space. Exhibitions and works are now on display in Cultural Foundation’s exhibition halls and outdoors.

“The Cultural Foundation is delighted to present these exhibitions, installations and short films, which are guaranteed to take visitors on a beautiful cultural journey across Abu Dhabi and the UAE through the eyes of historians and artists,” said Reem Fadda, Director of Cultural Foundation. “As a continuation of our efforts to preserve Emirati history and culture while supporting the contemporary art scene in Abu Dhabi, these activations provide a platform to narrate the story of Cultural Foundation, its social impact on the public and the artistic community, shed light on pioneering Emirati artists and document their journey with the cultural centre”.

Al Mujamma narrates the story of Cultural Foundation, from its conceptualisation by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and its establishment in 1973 and its opening in 1981, to its closure in 2010, and
reopening in 2018, following extensive conservation and remodelling work. The building is regarded as one of the most prominent modern heritage buildings exemplifying postmodern architecture in the UAE. The exhibition shares the rich cultural experiences that Cultural Foundation offered to the community from its earliest days, through its National Library, theatre, fine art exhibitions and important public events.

As a continuation of this story, three Emirati artists - Mahmoud Al Ramahi, Jalal Luqman and Azza Al Qubaisi - have been commissioned to produce installations portraying Cultural Foundation’s influence on arts and culture in the capital. Through the prism of the artists’ own experiences, the artworks explore the institution’s vital role as the heart of the creative community, reflecting the different elements of Cultural Foundation and celebrating its legacy as a platform for open dialogue and artistic experimentation. Each of the three artists represent a different decade of the Cultural Foundation’s existence: Al Ramahi represents the 1980s; Luqman the 1990s; and Al Qubaisi the 2000s.

A series of six short films will also be shown, highlighting the history of artists in the UAE through the pioneering eyes of Obaid Suroor, Dr. Mohammed Yousif, Abdulrahim Salem, Mahmoud Al Ramahi, Khulood Al Jaberi and Mona Al Khaja, each of whom worked closely with the Cultural Foundation early in their careers.

In addition, Experience Mars brings an immersive experience to Abu Dhabi, celebrating the UAE’s achievements in space and aiming to inspire children to work towards a future that may include journeys to the stars. Through interactive displays and tactile adventures, visitors can embark on a mission that will take them from earth, through space, to the surface of Mars, with plenty of activities along the way.

Finally, the retrospective exhibition Mohamed Chabâa: Visual Consciousness will remain on display until 19 December. Opened earlier this year, the show presents the life’s work of Mohamed Chabâa (1935–2013), a pioneer of Moroccan contemporary art and Global South modernity. The exhibition brings together paintings, sculptures, graphic art, interior design models and archival material spanning a career of six decades.

Cultural Foundation is open Saturday - Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Fridays from 2 pm to 7 pm. Safety measures and precautions have been implemented following government guidelines for visitors' health and wellbeing, including the implementation of the Al Hosn app Green Pass protocols.
For more information, please visit culturalfoundation.ae.