As the Louvre Abu Dhabi unveils 130 new acquisitions to the public, Sara Taher looks at the exhibition on Manarat Al Saadiyat.
There is an undercurrent of cultural development in Abu Dhabi, and nowhere is this more pronounced than on Saadiyat Island. With a rich host of exhibitions and looming grand-scale museum projects, the island is quickly emerging as a leading regional platform for fine arts. The Birth of a Museum exhibition, which will run until July 20, is the second in a series of exhibitions which is paving the way for the grand opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2015. Promising to establish Abu Dhabi as a regional beacon for art and culture, Birth of a Museum unites an impressive collection of artworks from all over the globe.
The exhibition brings together 130 art works of different mediums, eras and civilisations. Whether you’re an avid art connoisseur or not, it is hard to deny the appeal that such an collection holds.
With so many different types of artworks from various historical periods, visitors can immediately discern a common human thread that underlies the entire presentation of artworks in Gallery One at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The exhibition displays a large set of acquisitions which will be part of the permanent collection on display to the public at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The initiative is being undertaken by the government and will culminate in a ‘museum city’, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. The 64,000 square metre structure currently being built at the Mina side entrance to Saadiyat Island will host permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, complying to international standards and promoting Abu Dhabi’s cultural tourism.
Speaking about the exhibition, HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) stated, ‘We reflect on what has been achieved over the last few years in establishing the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Birth of a Museum echoes Abu Dhabi’s historical and geographical position and we hope this growing universal collection continues bridging civilisations, celebrating diversity and connecting cultures.
‘The [museum] is the result of an accord entered between the Abu Dhabi and the French governments whose collaboration will bring one of the world’s most iconic museums to the region,’ Louvre Abu Dhabi senior project manager Celine Pouyat tells us. ‘This has been in the works since 2007, with this exhibition being a major milestone in the cultural dialogue between the two nations.’
One of the most pivotal themes of the exhibition, as well as the future museum, is universalism. ‘The universal theme brings works from all eras and corners of the world, uniting them in a narrative story that will show humanity’s universal story,’ continues Miss Pouyat. The universal theme essentially underscores the shared human experience, regardless of nationality, geography or time.
Louvre Abu Dhabi project manager Hissa Al Dhaheri informs us how the acquisitions team consisted of French and Emirati professionals, who had to grapple with the challenge of picking art works, ‘which conformed to the universal theme while rendering a coherent storyline to the exhibition itself.’
Some of the works featured in the exhibition include nude renditions of people and despite overriding regional cultural norms, these are not placed with the intention of shocking the public. ‘These were chosen for their artistic value and [should be] taken as a whole with the rest of the exhibition,’ Miss Al Dhaheri tells us. ‘This exhibition and the Louvre Abu Dhabi are meant to be platforms for artistic expression and these will promote art and culture.’
As this iconic exhibition attracts attention in the city and the region, it dually promotes the local art scene. ‘This exhibition, along with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, will provide a platform where young and aspiring artists can sample works like Picasso or Monet,’ says Miss Al Dhaheri. ‘We also host many workshops with schools, so there is an effort to promote artistic talents with the younger generations.’
To learn more about the events, visit www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae.
Themes
The pieces currently on display are organised into six main themes:
Figures: Includes ancient structures such as the Bactrian princess statuette. Dated from the late third millennium BCE- early second millennium BCE it is from the Oxus civilisation. A representation of an ancient goddess, this figure is made of calcite and green chlorite, with intricate detailing shown on the dress. There are also more modern renditions, such as Yves Klein’s work.
Ancient Worlds: These include functional works that span political and artistic regions which are emblematic in their type, such as ancient Greek, Chinese or Egyptian vases and pots.
The Sacred: One of the most striking elements of the exhibition, these works show important samples and artworks that are associated with different religions placed side by side.
The Eastern Image: Encompasses mainly visual traditions as they appeared in Indian, Japanese and Chinese cultures.
The Western Gaze: Showcasing works from European artists from the Renaissance to the modern age, with 20 canvass paintings by noteworthy European painters such as Bellini, Manet and Gauguin. Among the collection is Pablo Ruiz Picasso’s unpublished painting ‘Portrait of a Lady’. From 1928, the work is a collage combining wallpaper and ink.
Cultures in Dialogue: This section shows different art mediums and styles, symbolising the dialogue that is nurtured by artistic expression; essentially the spirit of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
From France to Abu Dhabi
The Louvre
One of the Parisian landmarks, the Louvre is the world’s most visited museums. The iconic structure was originally erected as part of a fortress in the 12th century and has been enlarged in the years following. After closing down in 1796 due to problems with structural integrity it reopened its doors in 1801 and has remained open ever since, making it a historical building.
While the French museum does showcase works in exhibitions across the globe, this is the first time in history that such a large scale project will actually export the brand to another country altogether. Teams from the Abu Dhabi government (TCA-AD) and the Agence France-Museums (AFM) have been collaborating for years towards this goal.
