Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial to Launch on November 15

The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will feature over 70 UAE-based and international artists. WAM
The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will feature over 70 UAE-based and international artists. WAM
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Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial to Launch on November 15

The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will feature over 70 UAE-based and international artists. WAM
The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will feature over 70 UAE-based and international artists. WAM

The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will commence on November 15, featuring over 70 UAE-based and international artists who will present site-specific installations and performances in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, themed ‘Public Matter,’ Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) as a key pillar of its Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, artists will include Allora & Calzadilla, Arquitectura Expandida, Christopher Joshua Benton, Farah Al Qasimi, guBuyoBand, Hashel Al Lamki, Kabir Mohanty, Khalil Rabah, Oscar Murillo, Radhika Khimji, Sammy Baloji, Tarik Kiswanson, Wael Al Awar, Zeinab Alhashemi and more, WAM said.

The first Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial focuses on redefining the concept of "public" within the unique context of Abu Dhabi, considering factors such as environmental conditions, communal living, and city planning. It highlights the influence of a diverse, immigrant population on the city's public life and emphasizes values like hospitality and generosity.

The Biennial aims to explore the cultural experiences of various transitory communities and their integration into public spaces. By showcasing site-specific artworks and performances in accessible downtown locations, it underscores the significance of public art as a communal resource.

"We are launching the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial as part of our wider cultural vision, providing a unique platform for our community to both appreciate our cultural heritage and be inspired by contemporary art. It also reflects our commitment to supporting creatives in Abu Dhabi, the global south and the rest of the world through flagship art programs,” said DCT Abu Dhabi Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak.

“Taking over key sites in Abu Dhabi City and Al Ain, the Biennial will further position the emirate as a center for culture and creativity, and ensure transformative, inclusive and accessible art encounters are available to both our residents and visitors.”



Threatened by Israeli Airstrikes, Lebanon’s Cultural Sites Get Increased Protection from UN

Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
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Threatened by Israeli Airstrikes, Lebanon’s Cultural Sites Get Increased Protection from UN

Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
Rubble lies at the site of the historic “Al-Manshiya” building damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, near the Roman ruins of Baalbek, in the eastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon November 7, 2024. (Reuters)

A specialized United Nations agency granted on Monday provisional enhanced protection to 34 cultural properties in Lebanon, including the World Heritage sites of Baalbek and Tyre, following recent Israeli strikes near them.

“Non-compliance with these clauses would constitute serious violations of the 1954 Hague Convention and would constitute potential grounds for prosecution,” the UN cultural and scientific agency UNESCO said in a statement. The decision also includes financial and technical assistance to safeguard Lebanon’s heritage.

The decision was made during an extraordinary session of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property that was held in Paris on Monday, at the request of Lebanese authorities.

This move comes amid mounting threats to Lebanon’s cultural sites. On Nov. 7, an Israeli airstrike destroyed an Ottoman-era building near the UNESCO-listed Roman temples of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said: “UNESCO has a deep and long-standing cooperation with Lebanon. We will spare no effort to provide all the expertise and assistance needed to protect its exceptional heritage.”

In addition to legal protections, UNESCO said it has been implementing measures such as satellite monitoring, risk management training and emergency relocation of movable artifacts.