Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation, which is managed by the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has unveiled its upcoming season of cultural events and performances, featuring an exciting line-up of local, regional and international artists.
Starting March, audiences in the emirate will be able to enjoy an eclectic programme of genre-spanning visual and performing arts including exhibitions, concerts, dance performances and family-friendly events.
Highlights include thought-provoking solo exhibitions by two esteemed Emirati artists Farah Al Qasimi and Mohamed Al Astad, concerts by Kuwaiti popstar Humood Al Khudher and celebrated Tunisian tenor Lotfi Bouchnak, an electrifying performance by French-Algerian dancer and choreographer Kader Attou, and a fun and educational children’s show, Adam wa Mishmish in the Garden of Letters.
“Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi’s upcoming season will bring new and rich cultural programming to the emirate, with something for everyone to enjoy,” said Reem Fadda, Director of Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. “The diverse programme reflects our vision of showcasing innovative voices alongside established names. With events covering a range of disciplines and genres, it is our hope that audiences will explore something new and come away with a fresh perspective on artistic expression.”
The General Behaviour exhibition by US-based Emirati artist Farah Al Qasimi will present photographic and video-based works from 2012 to 2021. Showcased in a chronological sequence, the show explores the layers of multi-culturalism and consumer culture in the UAE, while challenging our perception of reality and navigating the intimacy of public and personal spaces. Al Qasimi’s career is presented within four main sections: The World Is Sinking; Bodies and Spectre; May’s Blue Eye and Trompe L’oeil as well as screening Al Qasimi’s video works: Alone in a Crowd and Dream Soup.
Meanwhile, Emirati artist Mohamed Al Astad will present a new form of contemporary art in his exhibition Another Perspective. His technique, ‘The Art of Beach Pearls’, uses sea sand, rust and time to create dramatic visual pieces, and works are arranged to create an interactive installation, providing viewers with an immersive experience. To date, Al Astad has participated in more than 300 group exhibitions and 40 solo exhibitions around the world and has hosted several art workshops. Both exhibitions will open on 11 March and be on display until 20 September 2022.
On Friday 25 March, Kuwaiti popstar and music producer Humood Al Khudher will perform. His uplifting songs have topped charts around the world and have over 800 million views on YouTube and he is known for his integration of Arabic music and international pop styles with uplifting, positive lyrics on varied topics.
On the following day, Saturday 26 March, Adam wa Mishmish will bring their live stage show Adam wa Mishmish in the Garden of Letters to Abu Dhabi, featuring singing cartoon characters who make learning Arabic fun for kids.
Saturday 16 April will see one of the best tenors in the Arab world perform when Tunisian star Lotfi Bouchnak will take to the stage, with Tuesday 17 May seeing French-Algerian hip-hop dancer and choreographer Kader Attou brings The Roots to the UAE capital, an electric choreography that celebrates hip-hop and features movements from flamenco, Northern Indian kathak and contemporary dance.
On Friday 10 June, veteran choreographers Koen Augustijnen and Rosalba Torres Guerrero will perform their new creation, Lamenta, which will explore how our basic, emotional human experiences can be articulated through physical theatre and dance, with Saturday 30 July seeing an exciting concert by celebrated Egyptian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hamza Namira.
In addition to the programme of fantastic exhibitions and performances, Abu Dhabi Children’s Library will be celebrating the UAE’s Month of Reading, held each year in March, by inspiring a new generation of readers with a reading competition, book clubs as well as its learning and play spaces and a selection of fiction, non-fiction, novels, autobiographies and reference materials catering for all ages up to 14 years old. The library will continue to host a wide range of daily programmes and activities spanning early childhood development, reading and writing, arts and crafts, and exploration and innovation. Themed programmes and activations for Ramadan and Eid will also be on offer.
Ongoing monthly workshops and courses for adults and children in Cultural Foundation’s Bait Al Khatt, Al Marsam Al Hor and Children’s Art Centre art studios offer the chance to discover a new hobby or develop skills in art techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, fashion design, sewing, or Arabic calligraphy.
In parallel with the activities, Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi has also accepted 12 UAE-based artists for its 2022 Art Residency programme, providing them with a platform to advance their skills and practice through dedicated studio spaces and resources as well as opportunities to exhibit their work.
