Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 27 November 2024:
Since its inception, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has continued its annual participation at Abu Dhabi Art, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Each November, ADMAF presents a dynamic programme that includes installations, exhibitions, panels, and events across various venues, offering a platform for art sales by participating galleries and showcasing installation works by leading international artists. Through its continued participation, ADMAF underscores its commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange, while supporting distinguished artists and stimulating dialogues aimed at presenting new ideas in the fields of art and culture.
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, Assistant President of the Red Crescent Authority for Women’s Affairs, and in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi, the winner of the twelfth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2024 was unveiled. Additionally, ADMAF presented exclusive commissioned artwork by Emirati artist Ayesha Hadhir – as part of its programme at Abu Dhabi Art, highlighting the intersection of arts, culture, and innovation. Elsewhere, ADMAF hosted a creative dialogue on the concept of utopia, aesthetics and ideals in the virtual world with the participation of artists from the Nam June Paik Art Center.
Her Excellency Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival said: Abu Dhabi Art, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, embodies the creative vision of the capital and the sustainability of the renaissance of the arts including talks, artworks, participations and partnerships from the UAE and the world.
H.E. commented: “We affirm our sustained commitment to supporting creativity, innovation, cultural exchange, and foreseeing the future with artificial intelligence technologies. Through our ongoing partnership with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), Abu Dhabi Art – the region’s most prominent arts event – and the House of Artisans in Abu Dhabi, we offer a range of exclusive commissions, awards, and specialised seminars with arts activists from Korea and the UAE.”
H.E. added: “Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, Assistant President of the Red Crescent Authority for Women’s Affairs, and in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi, we unveiled the Datecrete Bee Hotel as the winner of the twelfth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2024. The project, created by Sara Farha and Khaled Shalkha under the supervision of Dr. Christianna Bonin, Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University of Sharjah, highlights the importance of environmental sustainability. Additionally, we presented the exclusive commissioned work, “Woven by Hands, Walked by Generations,” by Emirati visual artist Ayesha Hadhir, which is inspired by authenticity and embodies Sadu handicraft. The piece incorporates recycled fabric and features nets created by artificial intelligence.”
Unveiling of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award’s Work: Datecrete Bee Hotel
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, ADMAF was pleased to unveil the winning work of the twelfth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award, Datecrete Bee Hotel, by artists Sara Farha and Khaled Shalkha. This innovative piece was unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art for a VIP audience on 19 November and will be on display until 24 November. Following the fair, the installation will be moved to NYU Abu Dhabi from 26 November to 11 December, and Umm Al Emarat Park from 12 to 27 December.
Sara Farha, an architectural engineer and urban planner, and Khaled Shalkha, a chemical engineer, co-founded Datecrete Studio, where they merge material science with design to create sustainable solutions. Their work, Datecrete Bee Hotel, blends design and innovation with environmental consciousness, providing a sustainable habitat for pollinators and symbolsing the importance of bees in our ecosystem.
Ayesha Hadhir’s “Woven by Hands, Walked by Generations” Performance and Installation
ADMAF’s collaboration with Emirati artist Ayesha Hadhir continues with her commissioned artwork, “Woven by Hands, Walked by Generations,” presented as part of the “Craft as a Language” partners section at Abu Dhabi Art. This installation was powered by live handicraft performances by Afra Al Mansoori from the House of Artisans in Abu Dhabi, offering Abu Dhabi Art’s audience of artists and visitors a unique cultural experience. Held daily at 6:00 pm at the Manarat Al Saadiyat Theatre, the performances showcased traditional handicrafts, immersing attendees in the artistry and heritage of the region. The performances, which were presented in partnership with House of Artisans, Abu Dhabi, and students from NYU Abu Dhabi’s Arts and Humanities Division, Theatre Program, ‘Site Specific Performance Course,’ invited visitors to engage with the rich heritage and contemporary interpretations of Emirati craft.
The work embodies the Emirati Sadu production process, using loom, copper, wood, carpet, and recycled fabric, reflecting the balance between tradition and innovation, as well as the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. The table, with its carved human legs, underscores our responsibility to preserve the handicrafts of our ancestors, while the Mandoos—a traditional chest—symbolises the transmission of heritage through generations. The AI-generated, intertwined network evokes the marine nets once used by UAE fishermen, connecting past practices with future possibilities. “Nol Al-Sadu” weaves the threads of our cultural identity, linking the legacy of the past with the future, addressing future generations, reminding them of the ancient past and the stories, skills and spirit of those ancestors. Each element of the installation narrates the journey of our heritage – how we lean on the shoulders of those who were before us, and how we continue, like a loom, to weave our identity open to the world today and in the future.
Panel Discussion in Partnership with KOFICE and the Nam June Paik Art Center:
“We Are All Open Circuits: 1984-2024 – The Fading Fortunes of Network Utopianism”
On 21 November at 6:00 PM, ADMAF co-hosted a stimulating panel discussion titled “We Are All Open Circuits: 1984–2024 – The Fading Fortunes of Network Utopianism”. Presented in partnership with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) and the Nam June Paik Art Center, this conversation explored the tensions between the utopian vision of global connectivity and the realities of today’s interconnected world, inspired by the work of the Father of Video Art, Nam June Paik. Moderated by curator, Maya El Khalil, the panel featured notable speakers including Dr. Namhee Park, Director of the Nam June Paik Art Center and artists Byungjun Kwon, Ayoung Kim and Lawrence Abu Hamdan. The discussion delved into the power dynamics of our mediated present, reflecting on how technology shapes our collective experience.
Panel Discussion in Partnership with Abu Dhabi Art, “Craft as a Language”
On 22 November 2024 at 7:30pm, ADMAF presented a second panel at Manarat Al Saadiyat in partnership with Abu Dhabi Art, titled “Craft as a Language.” Moderated by Chinasa Ezugha, Assistant Arts Professor of Live Art at NYUAD, the panel featured Emirati visual artist Ayesha Hadhir, artist Meherunnisa Asad, and artist Sara Al Khyyal. The panel explored the idea of craft as a form of language—how diverse craft practices, ranging from visual arts and textiles to woodworking, ceramics, and beyond, serve as powerful tools for communication and self-expression. Focusing on their work presented at Abu Dhabi Art, the panelists discussed how their craft transcends technical skill to become a rich, nuanced form of storytelling. Through the lens of their various disciplines, the panel examined how craft communicates to both the maker and the viewer, conveying personal narratives, cultural histories, and complex ideas. Each panelist introduced their work and creative process, while also sharing insights into the role that collaboration has played in shaping their practice and artistic vision.
Abu Dhabi Art 2024 at Manarat Al Saadiyat
Abu Dhabi Art 2024 took place from November 19–24 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, with VIP access for patrons and collectors on 19 November. The fair opened to the public from November 20–24, offering free entry with registration through the Abu Dhabi Art website.
ADMAF was proud to continue its commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange through its active presence at Abu Dhabi Art. These initiatives reflect the Foundation’s dedication to supporting groundbreaking artists and curating thought-provoking discussions that inspire new perspectives in art and culture.
