Public Art: Inaugural Abu Dhabi Biennial explores relationship between public life and culture

From November 2023 to April 2025, the inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial “Place Matters” explored the evolving concept of public space in Abu Dhabi through the lens of four main factors: environment, community, urbanity, and indigeneity. Featuring over 70 site-specific art installations by UAE and international artists, this public art strategy transformed Abu Dhabi into an emirate-wide celebration of art, culture, and community, and encouraged cultural participation.

A public art strategy that embraces the urban and natural environment

Abu Dhabi’s natural environment and climate dominate and determine the ways, locations, and times at which people gather. The Biennial was located strategically in two locations to make it accessible to all and encourage walkability in the downtowns of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. It also encouraged residents to explore modern heritage sites.

Artists from Abu Dhabi, the Global South and the rest of the world were invited to create site-specific works and performances to contribute to a deeper understanding of public spaces and their cultural significance. They directly engaged with communities and explored what it means to be public.

For example, Arquitectura Expandida transformed a downtown Abu Dhabi shop into a studio and gathering space where they exhibited Urban Majlis—a project inspired by the city’s spontaneous, informal gatherings. Through a series of “urban drifts”, the artists navigated Abu Dhabi’s interstitial spaces with a mobile ping-pong table, encouraging community participation while activating and highlighting the significance of these residual spaces within the city’s fabric.

A public art strategy that weaves indigenous culture with new communities

Over the past five decades, Abu Dhabi has become home to a diverse population that has grown through the immigration of foreign expats. In this context, values such as hospitality and generosity, intrinsic to the Abu Dhabi way of life and its culture, have become even more critical, particularly as the city continues to grow and extend itself.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism wanted the first Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial to explore the cultural imaginaries of different transitory communities and the conditions under which these communities became public. The Biennial examined the interplay between the city’s modern development and its indigenous practices, addressing the challenge of preserving traditional values amid urban growth and economic diversification.

Key highlights include the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal, noted for its unique architecture and role as a community hub, and Al Ain’s pre-petroleum architectural heritage, including traditional mud-brick housing and lush oases. The artwork Homesickness by Farah Al Qasimi on the Abu Dhabi Corniche honoured the rich tradition of pearl diving that has influenced the economic and cultural landscape of the Emirates. Five large oysters emitted a chorus of synthetic voices based on a chant sung by the wives of pearl divers (‘Tob, Tob Ya Bahar’).

The Biennial promoted inclusivity and cultural participation by taking over key sites in Abu Dhabi City and Al Ain. It further positioned the emirate as a centre for culture and creativity, and ensured that transformative, inclusive and accessible art encounters were available to both residents and visitors.