50 Reasons to visit the UAE
Art
1 LOUVRE ABU DHABI
The architecture of this Jean Nouvel–designed branch of Paris’s Louvre museum is as much a work of art as the collection inside. Perched on the water’s edge of Saadiyat Island, a metallic dome made of 7,850 geometric stars filters dappled light onto the courtyard beneath, inspired by sunlight diffused through palm fronds in the emirate’s palm oases. It’s an extraordinary space where the indoors and outdoors meet seamlessly; there are even lifeguards on hand to make sure no one falls into the Arabian Gulf as they gaze up in awe. A self-described “universal museum,” the collection spans millennia, focusing on what unites civilizations rather than what differentiates them (louvreabudhabi.ae).
2 CULTURAL FOUNDATION
Standing across a wide plaza from the fortified walls of Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest building, the Cultural Foundation creates a striking contrast. Its architecture blends modernist and Islamic styles, all tall arches and symmetry and a touch of blue and orange tiles. First opened in 1981 to house the National Library, a performance auditorium, and exhibition spaces with soaring ceilings, the Foundation today showcases contemporary art from the United Arab Emirates and beyond, as well as offering workshops in painting, calligraphy, pottery, and more. Wander away from the main exhibitions for a glimpse at original mosaic walls that are as stylish today as they were 40 years ago (culturalfoundation.ae).
3 ALSERKAL AVENUE
On a nondescript industrial road in Dubai’s Al Qouz district, the repurposed warehouses of Alserkal Avenue are bursting with galleries, art spaces, and a creative community that’s pushing boundaries. Stop by Zawyeh Gallery to see works by emerging Palestinian artists, or pop into Lawrie Shabibi for young contemporary creatives from North Africa and the Middle East. Up-and-coming “calligrafitti” artist eL Seed has his studio here, and the district is also home to the city’s only art-house movie theater, Cinema Akil (alserkalavenue.ae).
4 SHARJAH ART FOUNDATION
Sleek white cubes sit alongside traditional coral walls and hidden gardens at the Sharjah Art Foundation, a leading showcase of regional and international contemporary art. Exhibitions change regularly, featuring both big names and emerging artists. Don’t miss the Rain Room, an immersive installation where a continuous downpour stops as you walk beneath it. Also look out for the foundation’s newest acquisition, the Flying Saucer, a brutalist UFO-shaped building (pictured below) that is now an exhibition and community art space (sharjahart.org).
Main Event
5 EXPO 2020 DUBAI
It’s been 170 years since the Great Exhibition—the precursor to all World Expos—took place in London’s Crystal Palace, and after a).
