Abu Dhabi Art 2016 opens

WAM - H.H.Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, today opened the eighth edition of Abu Dhabi Art, which welcomes the public from Wednesday 16 November to Saturday 19 November, from 2pm-10pm at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District.

Sheikh Abdullah toured the galleries at Manarat Al Saadiyat, meeting with the leading curators and artists who will be providing exceptional contributions to the extensive programme for Abu Dhabi Art 2016.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Art presents an art fair with a distinctive public programme that connects with the wider community through a dynamic schedule of performing arts, talks, collaborative community initiatives, and a diverse range of international galleries showcasing a variety of inspiring artworks and iconic installations.

The opening was attended by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, Sheikh Mohammed bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Saeed Eid Alghafli, Chairman of the Executive Office, in the presence of Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Cultural and Media advisor at the Deputy Chairman’s office of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Mansour Al Mansouri, TCA board member, Acting Director General of National Media Council, accompanied by Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, as well as ambassadors, senior officials, artists and art enthusiasts.

Commenting on the opening of Abu Dhabi Art 2016, TCA Abu Dhabi Chairman, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said: "Abu Dhabi Art was created to reflect the thriving artistic spirit in the emirate, showcasing a diverse programme of creative expression that serves as a platform to engage with a global audience. As we present this year’s edition, we look ahead to bringing together leading artists from the UAE and abroad in order to foster Abu Dhabi’s growing artistic awareness for international art trends and strengthen the emirate’s position as a global centre for cultural and artistic expression."

Abu Dhabi Art once again brings together leading artists, curators, museum directors, art historians and galleries exhibited across the fair’s main sections; Modern & Contemporary, Bidaya, and Beyond.

In this year’s edition of Abu Dhabi Art, a new exhibition concept ‘Gateway’ is introduced. Abu Dhabi Art offers a dynamic programme of talks by influential figures in the global art world, and a variety of live performances and installations at Manarat Al Saadiyat and across the capital to engage with the communities of Abu Dhabi and celebrate its cultural and artistic diversity.

WAM/bashir