Guggenheim Abu Dhabi unveils new public programme ‘Waiting for the Future’

14 Oct, 2020

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi has announced a new public programme series for the autumn. Running until 24 November, ‘Waiting for the Future’ offers three engaging virtual events giving audiences new insight into the creative practice of internationally acclaimed artists.

‘Waiting for the Future’ focuses on the work of multidisciplinary artist Mariko Mori, visual artist Y.Z. Kami, and performance artists Selma and Sofiane Ouissi, exploring how these artists employ the “spiritual” in their practice and the ways in which their work conveys notions of oneness and transcendence. Created as a response to the profound and irrevocable changes in the world, the programme’s virtual sessions aim to provide audiences with an opportunity for human connection and restorative reflection.

“’Waiting for the Future’ is a unique programme that offers moments of reflection, connection and togetherness during a time of change and uncertainty. We encourage audiences to contemplate the ways in which these artists express their ideas about the future through visual art, dance, and film,” said Maisa Al Qassimi, Senior Project Manager of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. “These sessions are a valuable addition to our public programming offering, which aims to both introduce engaging and poetic art from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi permanent collection to the public. Anyone with an interest in the arts will certainly enjoy and benefit from what are sure to be inspiring conversations and performances.”

The series started on 13 October with a conversation between Guggenheim Abu Dhabi collection artist Mariko Mori and Alexandra Munroe, Director of Curatorial Affairs at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Samsung Senior Curator of Asian Art and Senior Advisor, Global Arts, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation. During the virtual live session, the artist elaborated on her artistic practice, transcendental narratives and aesthetics, and creative role as a scriptwriter, director, producer and performer. Her film Miko No Inori (Prayer of the Priestess) (1996) was made available on Abu Dhabi Culture’s YouTube channel for 24 hours after the session.

On 20 October at 7pm (GST) Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Curator, Sasha Kalter-Wasserman, will host Y.Z. Kami to discuss Endless Prayers XIII (2008), a permanent collection work previously featured in Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s Seeing Through Light: Selections from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Collection (2014) exhibition. Kami will talk about his artistic approach and the multi-layered references to sacred text, religious architecture and Sufism which are inherent in his work.

On 24 November at 7pm (GST) the programme concludes with an online performance presented by Selma and Sofiane Ouissi, Wejdan, which showcases a representation of humanity. The performance interrogates our notions about identity, community, and society building, and brings together artists who share their responses to the narrator from locales across the world.

All ‘Waiting for the Future’ sessions are being streamed on the Abu Dhabi Culture YouTube channel.