One of the primary aims of Saadiyat Cultural District is to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the arts, as part of this strategy a programme of innovative artistic and cultural events has been developed to engage and inform a local and regional audience in the lead up to the museums’ opening. This calendar of events aims to highlight and present themes and concepts that will be taken up and explored to the highest levels by the museums of the Cultural District. To date we have seen various international high profile exhibitions; The Arts of Islam: Treasures from the Nasser D Khalili Collection, Picasso Abu Dhabi, Emirati Expressions, Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi, The Guggenheim: The Making of a Museum, and Disorientation II: The Rise and Fall of Arab Cities. In addition, TDIC in collaboration with ADACH organised the inauguration of Abu Dhabi Art in November 2009, an annual art fair and events platform.
TDIC’s cultural department is currently organising A Story of Islamic Embroidery in Nomadic and Urban Traditions; an exhibition which brings together more than 200 rare and majestic textiles, including a wealth of embroideries from Central Asia—never before exhibited in the region, that permit visitors to explore the exchange of trade and culture across the Silk Road and beyond. These works, with their kaleidoscope of motifs and colours, create a form of abstract art and testify to the role of Islamic women in creating an artistic tradition of great significance and beauty. The exhibition is now taking place at Gallery One, Emirates Palace until 28 July 2010.
A Story of Islamic Embroidery in Nomadic and Urban Traditions will be accompanied by a series of public programmes, including musical concerts, lectures, and art workshops. All events take place at Emirates Palace, apart from the musical concerts which will take place at Manarat Al Saadiyat. All programmes are free but prior reservation for the workshops is essential.
Further information on the past exhibitions and the current events programme can be found at www.artsabudhabi.ae or call +971 2 690 8207
To receive e-newsletters on our new exhibitions and events, register through here http://www.artsabudhabi.ae/en/Content/ENews.aspx