Simply Abu Dhabi III

A taste of New York art in Abu Dhabi Just like the original GuggenheimMuseum in New York, visitors to the Guggenheim on Saadiyat Island can expect to view inspirational exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and will also have the opportunity to attend lectures by artists and critics as well as be part of the regular tours. An ever-evolving institution devoted to the art of the 20th Century and beyond, incorporating state-of-the-art education facilities, a 350-seat theatre, conservation laboratory, library and archive, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will build a permanent collection, stage exhibitions, generate scholarship and undertake educational programs that will examine the history of art produced around the world since circa 1965 from a variety of perspectives. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be devoted to demonstrating the international character of Modern and contemporary art, presenting principles of the Western historical movements whilst simultaneously showcasing the rich diversity of Asian, African, South American, and Middle Eastern art during this period. We are particularly excited to learn that the galleries have been designed in a variety of shapes and heights so each one has a unique character to enable great scope and flexibility over the exhibitions that can be shown. For example, the cones that surround the museum evoke images of the region’s ancient wind-towers and with this in mind have been designed to both ventilate and shade the museum’s exterior courtyards, providing an additional 18,000 metres of space for the creation and presentation of art. We can’t wait to wander around the exhibitions, taking plenty of time to look at and reflect upon some key art-historical movements as they are examined from a multi-national perspective. Reaching out to the world The building’s immortal cones and interior galleries will exhibit specially commissioned art works that will reflect the transnational vision of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and its commitment to supporting living artists. Ever-evolving vibrant exhibitions, collections, educational programs and publications will explore common themes, empathies, and noteworthy relationships among the work of artists in time and across geographies. With a firm emphasis on education the Guggenheim hopes to work in harmonious partnership with local and regional arts and cultural institutions to provide opportunities for a unique and diverse visitor experience that will set it apart from the other Guggenheim museums and prominent art institutions in the Middle East. The plan for the Guggenheim on Saadiyat Island is to reach out to the widest possible international audience – a plan that we think is coming together beautifully. THE GUGGENHEIM MODERN, CONTEMPORARY ART 20 SIMPLY ABU DHABI