Abu Dhabi extends preview experience of 'Louvre Abu Dhabi'

The preview experience, which reveals for the first time the concept of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, has been consistently booked since its opening, welcoming members of the general public as well as school and college groups.

Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened 26 May, 2009, features works from the Louvre and other French national museums alongside the first acquisitions for the Louvre's Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum in the Middle East.

Rita Aoun, TDIC's Director for Culture, stated:

"The public's response to Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi has been tremendous. We are heartened by the extraordinary turnout of visitors particularly to the educational events, such as the roundtable discussions, the briefing for teachers, and the children's workshops. We look forward to continuing to engaging audiences with exceptional cultural and educational opportunities leading up to the opening of the first museums in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District in 2012/2013."

Presented in Gallery One of Emirates Palace, the 90-minute preview features a brief film illustrating the Louvre Abu Dhabi design by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel; an illustrated talk about the concept of the Louvre Abu Dhabi; and a guided tour of a group of artworks specially chosen to show the curatorial vision for the museum. When it opens in 2012/13, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will showcase the interrelationships among artistic achievements from different cultures around the world, from the most immemorial to the very latest, across borders of technique and geography and will establish a distinctive dialogue among fine arts, decorative arts, and archaeological artefacts, in exhibitions that are unique to this museum and its setting.

On view in Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi are the first works acquired for the Louvre's Abu Dhabi developing collection, ranging in date from the 6th century BC to the early 20th century, and in place of origin from China to France. Accompanying them are works on loan from French national collections (Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Musée Guimet, Musée du Louvre, Centre Pompidou - Musée national d'art moderne, Musée d'Orsay, Musée du Quai Branly). Together these works illuminate the artistic and cultural interrelationships that are at the heart of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Two sessions of the Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi preview experience are available to the public each day, at 11:00 am and 6:30 pm. Please note that attendance is free of charge, but advance booking is required.

Art workshops for children 11-18 years of age are offered every Monday from 10 am - 12 noon. The series explores themes featured in Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi, and gives participants the opportunity to create their own artworks inspired by the themes and works discussed. Please note that attendance is free of charge, but advance booking is required.