News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) continued its vibrant participation at Abu Dhabi Art 2024, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Held annually in November, the event showcases a dynamic mix of installations, exhibitions, panels, and performances, creating a platform for art sales and cultural exchange. ADMAF’s contributions to the fair this year emphasized innovation, sustainability, and the intersection of technology and traditional craft.
Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and technological advancement. “We are proud to support artists and ideas that shape the future of art and culture,” she said, reaffirming ADMAF’s mission to promote global dialogues and collaborations, particularly with partners like the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).
A standout moment of the event was the unveiling of the winner of the twelfth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2024, presented under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan. The award-winning piece, Datecrete Bee Hotel, by artists Sara Farha and Khaled Shalkha, was showcased to a VIP audience on November 19. Combining design and environmental consciousness, the piece provides a sustainable habitat for pollinators, underscoring the importance of bees in the ecosystem. The installation will be displayed at various venues, including NYU Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Emarat Park, until December 27.
Additionally, ADMAF presented Woven by Hands, Walked by Generations, a commissioned installation by Emirati artist Ayesha Hadhir. The work, displayed as part of the Craft as a Language section, pays tribute to the UAE’s traditional Sadu weaving while incorporating recycled fabric and AI-generated elements. The installation was complemented by live handicraft performances, creating an immersive cultural experience that linked the past with the future of Emirati craft.
A series of thought-provoking discussions also marked ADMAF’s participation at the fair. On November 21, ADMAF co-hosted the panel “We Are All Open Circuits: 1984–2024 – The Fading Fortunes of Network Utopianism”, presented in collaboration with KOFICE and the Nam June Paik Art Center. The panel explored the tension between the utopian ideals of global connectivity and the current realities of our interconnected world, inspired by the work of pioneering video artist Nam June Paik. Moderated by curator Maya El Khalil, the discussion featured Dr. Namhee Park, Byungjun Kwon, Ayoung Kim, and Lawrence Abu Hamdan.
The following evening, the panel “Craft as a Language” delved into the role of craft in contemporary art. Moderated by Chinasa Ezugha of NYU Abu Dhabi, the discussion explored how craft practices, such as visual arts, textiles, woodworking, and ceramics, transcend technical skill to become forms of personal and cultural expression. Panelists included artists Ayesha Hadhir, Meherunnisa Asad, and Sara Al Khyyal, who shared insights into the power of craft as a storytelling medium.
Abu Dhabi Art 2024, held at Manarat Al Saadiyat from November 19 to 24, attracted art lovers, collectors, and creatives from around the world. With a focus on creativity, cultural exchange, and innovative collaborations, ADMAF’s participation demonstrated its ongoing role in shaping the future of the global art scene.
