Manar Abu Dhabi, part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has returned for its second edition and, for the first time, has expanded to Al Ain, launching on 1 November 2025.
Presented under the theme “The Light Compass” and curated by Khai Hori (Artistic Director), Alia Zaal Lootah (Curator), Munira Al Sayegh (Curator), and Mariam Alshehhi (Assistant Curator), this year’s edition features installations by six artists from the UAE and around the world. Their works illuminate the Al Jimi and Al Qattara oases, which are part of Al Ain’s cultural sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The exhibition continues to position Abu Dhabi as a centre for contemporary public art, blending artistic expression with heritage, natural landscapes and modern technology to inspire both local communities and visitors.
The opening weekend coincided with the start of Al Ain’s Traditional Handicrafts Festival and welcomed large crowds who experienced immersive light installations by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Khalid Shafar, Maitha Hamdan, Abdalla Almulla, Ammar Al Attar and Christian Brinkmann. Their artworks invited visitors on a multi-sensory journey of light, sound and movement, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s expanding role as a global destination for artistic collaboration and public cultural programming.
The programme opened with a public discussion titled “Public Art & the Al Ain Landscape,” led by Manar Abu Dhabi curator Alia Zaal Lootah, which explored the artistic intentions behind the installations and the role of public art in honouring the cultural identity of the emirate.
Throughout the exhibition period, the Al Qattara and Al Jimi oases host food and beverage outlets, guided tours and photography workshops, offering opportunities for audiences to engage with art and heritage in the unique surroundings of Al Ain’s historic oasis landscapes.
Manar Abu Dhabi is open daily from 5:30PM to 12:00 AM until 4 January 2026. Entry is free, and guided tours are available daily at 7:00PM at a cost of AED50 per person.
For additional details, please visit paad.ae