• HSBC

Inaugural Abu Dhabi Art,Talks and Sensations creates significant platform for cultural dialogue

  • United Arab Emirates: Monday, November 17 - 2008 at 16:29
  • PRESS RELEASE

The inaugural 'Abu Dhabi Art, Talks and Sensations' cultural event, organised in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) and the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), will debut on Tuesday 18 November at Abu Dhabi's Cultural Foundation.

Under the theme 'What aesthetics is the Arab world creating today,' the event celebrates contemporary creation as part of the second annual artparis Abu Dhabi 2008, the Middle East's leading modern and contemporary art fair.

"At a time of unprecedented development and change, our ambition is to preserve the best of our heritage and national identity, while looking forwards to the future. By initiating this important cultural event, we believe we have created a significant platform for cultural dialogue between the Arab and contemporary art worlds,"
said His Excellency Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General, ADACH.

Moderated and conceived by Fabrice Bousteau, Chief Editor of leading French art magazine 'Beaux Arts', the symposium performance will feature works of art specifically created for the event, intellectual debates, video projections, gourmet surprises, poetry and a live DJ set.

More than thirty distinguished artists, actors, philosophers, architects, curators, designers, chefs and musicians will address the evolution of contemporary Arab aesthetics in a performance of two acts and sixteen individual scenes.

"Abu Dhabi is now firmly positioned as the region's most progressive cultural hub for arts and ideas, and it is our aim to support and encourage intellectual ferment, artistic innovation and creative flowering in the nation's capital in the lead up to the opening of Saadiyat Island's Cultural District,"
said Rita Aoun-Abdo, Art and Cultural Advisor, TDIC.

The unrivalled line-up of international and regional personalities starring in the avant-garde 'Abu Dhabi Art, Talks and Sensations' event include:- artists Abdel Abidin (Iraqi and Finnish), Kader Attia (French and Algerian), Sarnath Banerjee (Indian), Youseef Nabil (Egyptian and American), Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige (Lebanese and French).

As well as curators and art critics - Fereshteh Daftari (MoMA, New York), Alka Pande (Habitat Centre, New Delhi), Hans-Ulrich Obrist (Serpantine Gallery, London) and Martina Corgnati (Turino).

Major players in the Middle East art world will also make a starring appearance - Isabelle de La Bruyère (Christies), Enrico Navarra (Galerie Navarra, Paris), Zeina Arida (Arab Images Foundation, Beirut) and Karl Bassil (Mind the Gap, Beirut).

'Food from the Desert' will be provided by renowned French chef Alain Passard, with music by DJ Michel Gaubert and Soundwalk plus an honoured contribution from the 'Prince of Poetry 2008', Mauritania's Sidi Mohamed Ould Bemba . A unique water bar by Collette will refresh the audience with samples of over thirty specialty mineral waters, while German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk will stimulate and enliven their thoughts.

'Abu Dhabi Art, Talks & Sensations' commences at 6.15pm on Tuesday 18 November with a reception, with the symposium performance commencing at 7.30pm at the Al Dhafra Theatre in Abu Dhabi's Cultural Foundation. Entrance to the event is free.
 
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Celebrating and Honouring Culture and Heritage


The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is the institution in charge of conserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi. Established in October 2005 as an authority of the Government of Abu Dhabi, it is administered by a board of directors chaired by H. E. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan.

The creation of ADACH was a direct result of the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Heritage Management Strategy, a 5-year strategy prepared by a UNESCO-led team working closely with local experts. The Strategy identified the principal issues affecting the development of Abu Dhabi's culture and heritage and laid down goals for its activities.

ADACH is an organisation with far-sighted aspirations - to harness the pride of the people of the UAE through the development of its cultural heritage, and to be the leading cultural development organisation in the region. Internationally it is contributing to the strengthening of intercultural dialogue and the appreciation of different cultures by developing projects that encourage the sharing of cultural traditions and experience.

ADACH has a holistic vision of culture, which embraces both tangible and intangible heritage. It is committing all its resources to the preservation of architectural and archaeological assets as well as to the development of Emirati and international arts, music, literature and cinema. This vision is open to everyone - in the Arab world and beyond.

The initiatives outlined on this website reflect ADACH's vision for the cultural development of Abu Dhabi. Together they constitute a programme rich in symbolism and importance to the people of the UAE, and provide a unique representation of what Abu Dhabi has to offer the rest of the world.

TDIC Company Profile


Formed in 2006, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is the privately operated development arm of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. It is a master developer of major Abu Dhabi tourism destinations and a key contributor to the emirate's economic and cultural progress.

TDIC offers significant investment opportunities in the residential and commercial real estate, hospitality, sports & leisure and tourism related sectors. It actively pursues strategic partnerships with local and international brand leaders, which deliver quality driven best practice, services and products. Its commitment in helping to establish Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination for tourists, businesses and residents, is creating sustainable growth and employment opportunities.

TDIC encourages sustainable development projects that respect the environment. In line with its commitment to promoting sustainability, TDIC was a founder member of the Middle East Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the highly respected international research and education organisation which advocates the responsible use of land and the development of sustainable communities.

Through the transparency of its business approach and its ability to deliver on its promises, TDIC has built a strong reputation within the regional and international tourism industry. The company is also committed to developing and creating employment and vocational training opportunities for Emiratis.

TDIC has a number of iconic projects designed to live up to the company's core values of environmental sustainability, progressive partnerships, cultural stewardship and enhancement and socio-economic viability. These projects include:

Saadiyat Island:


TDIC is creating Abu Dhabi's flagship development, Saadiyat Island, which translates as 'Island of Happiness', and epitomises the emirate's focus on culture and arts, sports & leisure, natural environment and heritage.

Due for completion by 2018, Saadiyat Island occupies 27 square kilometres and lies to the north east of Abu Dhabi city. It has been developed with an eco-sensitive philosophy and will eventually be home to 150,000 people.


Cultural District - Saadiyat Island


This area will be home to some of the world's most prestigious museums including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre and a maritime museum, making Abu Dhabi a world-class cultural destination.

Saadiyat Island will also feature six other distinct districts - Saadiyat Marina, Saadiyat Beach, South Beach, Island Lagoons, The Wetlands and Eco Point.


Desert Islands


This is a nature-based destination off Abu Dhabi's western coastline . At the core of the destination, which comprises eight islands, is Sir Bani Yas Island, the rich natural heritage and environmental legacy of the UAE's late President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Sir Bani Yas Island is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, with the world's largest herd of Arabian oryx and the soon-to-open, 64-room Desert Islands Resort & Spa, which offers a range of adventure activities. The destination will also consist of Dalma Island and the Discovery Islands.

For further information, kindly contact:
Melissa Green
Account Executive
MCS Action FZ LLC
P.O Box 20970, Dubai Media City, UAE
Tel: +971 43658587
Fax: +971 4 3908161

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