Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to Open in December

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will open its doors on 11 December, becoming the fourth gallery to bear the Guggenheim name alongside its museums in New York City, Bilbao and Venice. 

The museum will feature modern and contemporary art from the 1960s to the present day—spanning painting, sculpture, installation, photography, the moving image and new media—with a focus on West Asia, North Africa, South Asia and the wider region. Adopting a transcultural approach rather than linking displays by geography or chronology, the layout of the interconnected galleries aims to promote “encounter and exchange” between visitors and the artworks on display. 

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi, said: “Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is a defining moment in our cultural journey. The museum is shaped by the Emirate’s long-held conviction that culture is the most enduring bridge between peoples and a building block for forward-looking societies. It brings new perspectives to modern and contemporary art, shining a light on art from all around the world.”

The 11,600 square metre space in the Saadiyat Cultural District creates a bold silhouette. It has been designed by Frank Gehry and its 30 galleries are linked via a central atrium. In addition, 10 sculptural cones provide shade and natural ventilation, improving the building’s energy efficiency. Nine of the cones are clad in stainless steel mesh; the other in onyx and glass. There are also 23,000 square metres of available exterior exhibition space in the cones and terraces surrounding the building.  

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be part of a growing community in Saadiyat Cultural District—also in the area are Louvre Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum (showcasing the history of the UAE) and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, an immersive digital art space.

The museum’s opening follows recent fear of war as the US and Israel continued their attack on Iran earlier this year, which led Iran to strike American bases and allies in the region. The UAE was forced to temporarily close its airspace, and Art Dubai presented a postponed and adapted iteration of the fair in May, while multiple galleries in the region closed temporarily.

“The Guggenheim Foundation is proud and delighted to be a longstanding partner with the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi in shaping a museum of contemporary art of magnificent scope and aspiration,” said Dr Mariët Westermann, director and chief executive of the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation, adding: “The museum’s art collection is uniquely local and global, centred in the region but with works from all continents.” —[O]