Amid the factories and large industrial complexes in Mussafah lies a little orange and white three-storey building with big aspirations and a novel project inside. Launched last month, the Abu Dhabi Art Hub is a community that allows artists from all over the globe to live and create together. As the first live/work space in the region, this hub has huge ambitions and wants to establish itself in the city’s art scene while rubbing shoulders with industry giants, who are primarily led by large government-funded institutions. We took a tour of the new facility and spoke to founder Ahmed Saleh Al Yafei, about the project.
‘Live, create, exhibit’ is the official motto of the hub, and the slogan is a curt summary of what artists can do at the venue. There are essentially three functions: a living space; a place for creating art; and spots where artists can exhibit their work. The 2,500 square metre building is divided into several sections, which are all connected through a series of corridors and stairs. We’re shown around by Al Yafei, who first takes us on a floor dedicated solely to offices. ‘Here is where we help artists create a business side, and we help them with the legal paperwork, as well as providing them with an address for their office,’ he explains.
Additionally, there is a business centre set up on the ground floor, with all the amenities an artist would need to promote and communicate their work.
We then climb some narrow stairs to an area dedicated to workshops and teaching. In this space, people with very specific knowledge of certain topics in art can host talks to interested parties.
Next we go back to the ground floor, where there is a large open space with rooms lining the walls, all sealed by glass walls and doors. The rooms behind the glass are allocated to galleries – aspiring artists can set up their own gallery and exhibit their work here. The open middle ground is also suitable for exhibitions, with white walls, a high ceiling and open architecture on the roof, giving the venue a loft appearance.
While the décor so far has been white and clean, the living quarters are very warm and colorful. With space for ten artists, each room has a sectioned space for working, a bed, bathroom, couch and flat screen TV.
Mr. Al Yafei is keen to promote Emirati culture and heritage. ‘This is one of our key strategies,’ he says. ‘And in order to accomplish this, we use two methods with artists when they first arrive here. First we take them to key landmarks around the city; such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Then we take them on a special desert retreat, where there are many traditional activities that they can enjoy, while taking in the beautiful scenery.’ The resort, called the Wahet al Hayat, is located in the scenic Liwa in the Western Region of the emirate. Visitors can partake in camel riding, sand buggy driving, sandboarding and relaxing in
a traditional Bedouin tent.
The idea behind this strategy is that after foreigners get to experience a taste of local culture and tradition they will then translate their impressions in their work. These artworks can then act as emissaries in the global market, introducing the world to Emirati heritage and spirit. While on our tour of the venue we see artworks depicting Arabian horses and deserts, just some of the impressions left with the visiting artists.
Since its opening, the Abu Dhabi Art Hub has hosted Live Artscape, a Geniune Art Gallery expo and the first in a series it calls Art by Country; which showcased UAE work. The Art By Country programme hosts art works and cultural items from a different country in each instalment. After Japan in December, there will be exhibitions on British culture in January.
In addition to the rich calendar of activities they have set, the hub plans on collaborating with schools and universities, as well as government bodies such as Abu Dhabi’s Tourism and Culture Authority. As the city is set to complete large museums such as the Louvre, the hub will coexist and give the city a voice for aspiring artists.
To learn more about Abu Dhabi Art Hub visit www.adah.ae or email arthub@live.com (02 677 3111).
Upcoming events for December
December 6-12: Japanese cultural week.
December 13-16: Glimpse into Japanese Samurai life with a special dance performance.
December 17 from 2pm-6pm: Japanese classic towel workshop with resident artist Ayumi Takahashi.
December 20-25: Japanese visual arts exhibition.
December 27-31: Japanese music and tradition.
Every Saturday from 11am-1pm: Paper puppets workshop for kids with artist Nairouz Al Tanbouli.
Every Saturday from 1pm-3pm: Oil painting with kids, with artist Rehab Abou El Naga.
