WELL known for its vertiginous skyline and high-octane attractions, Abu Dhabi has recently emerged as an attractive destination for cultural concerns, too. The launch of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017 – in partnership with the iconic French gallery – will be followed in the coming years by the Guggenheim; two artistic heavyweights that are helping put the UAE on the international art map. And with the Louvre Abu Dhabi hosting a vast sweep of Rembrandts and Vermeers as part of an expansive new exhibition on the Dutch Golden Age, there’s now even further reason to visit Jean Nouvel’s striking domed building on Saadiyat Island.
A country founded only 250 years ago, when the Bani Yas bedouin tribe first settled in the region, Abu Dhabi is undergoing something of a golden age. Pearl trading and then oil, which was discovered in 1958, led to the rapid development of the emirate city under leader Sheikh Zayed – the nation’s founder and first president – with its towering architecture a glistening totem to prosperity. Yet until recently, it’s often been viewed as a business centre or layover for long-haulers rather than a credible tourist destination.
Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo Courtesy: Mohamed Somji
However, a series of high-profile openings are helping transform the city’s sense of purpose. This year the city reopened Qasr al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest structure. This striking white fort has been transformed into a museum after 11 years of conservation and restoration work. Built in 1790, it has since been dwarfed by the surrounding skyscrapers but remains as a unique reminder of the city’s origins. Next door, the House of Artisans showcases local craft techniques including weaving, sadu yarning and spinning and talli – a woven form used to decorate pottery – all of which are designed to help visitors engage with the cultural crafts of Abu Dhabi’s past.
Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi. Photocredit: Roland Halbe
Looking forward, the emergence of Abu Dhabi’s burgeoning artistic community is being led by Warehouse421 in the city’s port district, which has emerged as a foremost platform for Middle Eastern artists in the city. According to its manager, Faisal Al Hassan, the vision is to built bigger audiences for art in the region and encourage more people in the UAE to explore their creative side. “There has always been an active arts and cultural scene bubbling away in the UAE,” he says. “What has changed is that our homegrown artists now have access to a wider range of exhibition spaces and creative networks through which they can connect with their peers, the public and cultural institutions.”
With forthcoming exhibitions including photography, architecture and Arabian typography, Al Hassan sees an exciting future for Abu Dhabi’s art scene. “The arrival of the Louvre and the Guggenheim could have a really positive impact on the sector as a whole by attracting more international visitors to the Emirate with an interest in the arts and culture,” he says. “This will help raise standards locally, and create attractive new opportunities for young people seeking a career in the industry.”
From grass-roots shows to glitzy opening galas, the city’s creative community is on an upwards march, providing myriad reasons to linger in the emirate. To make the most of the Abu Dhabi’s cultural quarter, base yourself at the newly opened Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island. Just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, this sleek, sophisticated resort fronted by pristine beach with sweeping views back to the city.
Ocean Deluxe King Room in Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. Photo Courtesy: Jumeirah.
You can hear the waves from the beach-fronted rooms, which – with marine-inspired decor and sea views – providing a welcome contrast from the hustle and bustle of the city, while a forward-thinking zero-single-use-plastics policy is a welcome step in the right direction – especially poignant given the beach is a nesting place for Hawksbill turtles. Seven restaurants – ranging from high-end Italian to a Levantine grill – and a sizeable spa, tennis courts and Bodyism gym give plenty of reason to stay close to home. Not that you may want to, given the game-changing art appearing across the emirate.
Pool and beach of Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. Photo Courtesy: Jumeirah
Tean Food from Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. Photo Courtesy: Jumeirah
by Ben Olsen
An Ocean Deluxe room at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island costs from £275 per night