In Pictures | Abu Dhabi Art 2016

“For me, art is always a kind of theatre.” Damien Hirst

A well attended VIP opening kicked off this year’s Abu Dhabi Art on Tuesday evening at Manarat Al Saadiyat located in the Saadiyat Cultural District. At the centre of the eighth edition of this annual multidisciplinary art programme is a large art fair with a collection of modern and contemporary art displayed by established galleries from around the world. The exhibits are complimented by a diverse arts programme that’s packed with daily live performances, a series of curated talks, workshops and experiences.

The galleries are divided into four different sectors; Modern & Contemporary, Bidaya (translated as ‘Beginning’ in Arabic), Beyond and Gateway. A series of book launches and cultural talks are taking place throughout the event at Majilis Fann curated by Reem Fadda who is part of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi team. Returning for the fourth year, Durum Al Tawaya will showcase a programme of live music, performing arts, dance and movie screenings

Alongside the live performances and installations at Manarat Al Saadiyat there’s also a series of events across the capital designed to engage with all residents and celebrate Abu Dhabi’s cultural and artistic diversity. Entry and programmes are complimentary although pre-registration is recommended to avoid disappointment, visit abudhabiart.ae for further information and to register.

Bananas by Gu Dexin

Straws, 2016 by Francesca Pasquali

Impossible Barriers to the Cosmos, Logical and Absolute, 2016 by Jacob Hashimoto

Untitled, 1994 by Mario Merz

Untitled, 2016 by Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim

Knowledge and Uncertainly, 2016 by Idris Khan

Katea, 2014 by Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim

Chalk fresco E, 2015 by Pascale Martine Tayou

Colore, luce, proiezione, ombra, trasparenza, lavoro situato n°1, 2015 by Daniel Buren

Martyrs, 1977 by Molaeb Jamil

Opus F1, 2016 Opus AA1, 2016 and Quo0n Iye Yaad Phir Uskey, 2015 by Rasheed Arleen

Children of the Earth, 2016 and Motherhood, 2016 by Amalie Beljafla

Dui Chi, 2016 by Wang Dongling

Swann Morton Scalpel 2014, Deltacortril Enteric 5mg 30 enteric coated tablets 2014, Zarontin PD 237 2014, Sedated PE 2014, Theo-24 300mg cub 2852 2014 and VISKEN 5 (Mint) 2014 by Damien Hirst