Public Art Programme launched at Expo 2020 Dubai

Big things were expected for Expo 2020 Dubai, and big things are what we’re getting ahead of the show’s grand opening.

A colourful, oil drill-shaped sculpture has been installed at the site of the world’s greatest show.

Created by Kuwait artist Monira Al Qadiri, it reflects the UAE and wider Gulf region’s history, before and after the oil boom.

The artwork’s debut also marked the launch of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Public Art Programme, which will bring together 11 leading artists from the UAE and around the globe and offer the chance to visitors to view never-before-seen artworks.

Spread across the Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability districts, as well as Expo 2020’s two parks, the pieces will be used as landmarks on-site and will become permanent fixtures at District 2020.

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The artists selected to participate in the programme that is inspired by the famous Arab mathematician, astronomer, and physicist Ibn Al Haytham’s work, Book of Optics, are the Hamra Abbas, Afra Al Dhaheri, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Abdullah Al Saadi, Asma Belhamar, Olafur Eliasson, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Khalil Rabah, Yinka Shonibare and Haegue Yang as well as the aforementioned Al Qadiri.

Running from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 will see 190 participating countries descend on Dubai in a worldwide sharing of culture and innovation.

Tickets to the general public are due to go sale on Sunday July 18, with a day-ticket costing Dhs95 and providing access to all pavilions, events and live performances, plus a chance to enjoy an entertainment programme that includes up to 60 live events each day in the medium of world-class music, dance and art.