Throughout the months of December and January, Manar Abu Dhabi has been going on across the capital. It is a Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative showcasing over 35 different artworks such as light sculptures, commissions, performances and projections, in different locations across the city.
The drone show at the Louvre Abu Dhabi is part of this, and so is the pyramid installation along the Saadiyat highway.
This week I took Erika to go explore another location I had read about, on Samaliyah Island, and Kathleen tagged along as well. We had to take a boat from Yas Bay, which took us out to this island, not normally open for public.
Once we reached the island, it was a short walk to get to the first installation. This tall pillar is by the local Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem, and the installation is called 'Directions' (2023).
This cylinder is covered in the coordinates of the seven Emirates. The work is meant to mirror the symbolism of a lighthouse (manar in Arabic means lighthouse), while the circular arrangement is signifying the enduring spirit of unity among the Emirates.
After our first stop, and dinner by the food truck area, there was a complimentary bus that took us around to see the rest of the installations.
The art collective teamLab presented three immersive light installations here. The first one we came across was the 'Spatial Calligraphy in the Forest - One Stroke' (2022). Equally beautiful and spooky!
The next installation 'Autonomous Resonating Life and Resonating Trees' consisted of life-size glowing eggs that were standing all over the forest, changing their colour to a rhythmic pace. We were invited to tip them over (gently), and each time they were touched, the sound specific to each colour rung out softly across the whole forest and all the eggs changed colour.
We got to walk across the Mangrove Forest, where another installation was situated, 'Life is Continous Light' (2023). As we passed by the forest, the forest responded by glowing brighter and producing a tone. The light would then spread across the forest, until it reached the last tree in the dark, and they would all end up humming the same tune. It was quite spectacular!
As we came out of the Mangrove Forest, we discovered 'Resonating Microcosms - Solidified Light Colour'. A pathway lined with softly translucent orbs, who also were responsive to touch. They radiated different bright-coloured lights and emitted a sound as well; and the whole sea of ovoids would respond to one another, emitting the same light and sound. Very cool!
But my favourite was this installation, at the end of our walk - 'Pillars that Dance with the Wind' (2023). The photo is not really doing them justice, these light pillars were huge, but graceful. Their movements were absolutely mesmerising, I could've stayed and watched them all night! Like big, soft spaghetti sprawling across the sky.
Such a great night full of amazing experiences for all senses!
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