Visitors will have the opportunity to explore seven art works designed specifically for the Al Kutaba and Al Jimi routes, featuring the participation of Mitha Hamdan, Amar Al Attar, Christian Brinkman, Khalid Al Shaafar, and Abdullah Al Mulla, as well as Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Following the opening of "Manarat Abu Dhabi", the annual light art exhibition, in Al Ain at the beginning of November, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced the full opening of the second edition across the emirate. The exhibition brings together 15 artists from the UAE and around the world, representing 10 countries, showcasing 22 innovative works that range from sculptures and installations to immersive light shows and interactive experiences designed specifically for the sites. It is a captivating visual experience that celebrates the emirate's diverse landscapes, transforming them into spaces pulsating with light and inspiration. Under the artistic direction of Kai Hoori and with the curation of Alia Zaalutah, Mona Al Saik, and Mariam Al Shihhi, this year's edition is titled "Your Guide, the Star Suhail", producing contemporary art works that interact with light and its manifestations, and reinterpreting the relationship that ancestors in the Arabian Gulf region had with light through astronomy.Jubail Island will serve as the main stage for "Manarat Abu Dhabi" events, featuring 15 composite works and a large-scale performance by artists including Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Ergul, Ezequiel Benni, Anchor Studio, Drift, Pamela Tan, Lachlan Turkcan, Christian Brinkman, and Kirsten Berg. These artists present bold visions and innovative approaches to light art.Visitors will also enjoy unique musical performances by world-renowned artists such as "Bodwin Burger" and "Hipari", as well as Ars Nova Napoli, alongside experiences focused on health and nature, including meditation sessions, nature walks, and sustainability activities, in collaboration with the Qūrmi – Abu Dhabi initiative from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.For the first time, the exhibition extends to cultural sites in Al Ain city, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Also, at the Souk Al Marina, an art work titled "Kaws: Holiday Abu Dhabi" by the artist Kaws, in collaboration with his long-term partner AllRightsReserved, takes center stage. The work is distinguished by its display of the glowing "Companion" figure, lying on his back, holding a glowing shield aloft, vividly embodying the exhibition's connection to light and imagination.The exhibition's artistic offerings are not limited to the displayed works, as it also presents a public interactive program that brings together art, technology, and society, featuring a series of inspiring panel discussions, lectures, and workshops organized by artists and partners.
