Sure, Abu Dhabi is nowhere near as vibrant as Berlin or Sao Paulo when it comes to street art. But the capital, to be fair, has its own share of lively neighbourhood art that is both creative and impressive.
Recently, the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities and the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City has unveiled a series of artistic creations in the form of murals, large paintings and art figures representing local culture and history.
View this post on Instagram" target="_blank">
This latest initiative is part of an effort to boost the aesthetic appearance of the city.
Prior to this, urban art, though scarce, is not an entirely novel concept in the capital.
If you happen to pass by that long stretch along Al Raha Beach, you might have seen the stunning 600-metre mural artwork illustrating traditional Emirati life.
During its unveiling on 11th July 2016, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said that the mural “is the beginning of a long plan to bring life to plain structures” and that using the UAE culture and heritage as design “was a good idea.”
Meanwhile, MAD, the trendy party venue on Yas Island, stands out for its artsy exterior that epitomises the establishment’s lively happenings. Trivia: the building is known before as O1ne, and graffiti artists from various parts of the globe were hired to design the building’s outside appearance.
Speaking of urban art, the Abu Dhabi Art event has over the years expanded its scope to highlight street art by talented artists in and outside the UAE. In 2017, shipping containers were turned into large-scale canvas by graffiti artists and were placed in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Yas Marina and Warehouse 421for the public to see.
0 Comments