Guggenheim Abu Dhabi unveils September events ahead of December 11 opening
Public programmes to explore artists, cultural memory and contemporary artistic practice
ABU DHABI – Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is inviting the community to engage with art, ideas and cultural exchange through a programme of talks, performances and workshops across the UAE this September.
The programme offers an introduction to the ideas and conversations that will shape the museum ahead of its opening on 11th December.
Events will take place at Manarat Al Saadiyat and Louvre Abu Dhabi, bringing audiences into direct engagement with artists and cultural practitioners.
Network of Answers
22 September to 22 October | Manarat Al Saadiyat
Network of Answers, an interactive artwork by Guggenheim Abu Dhabi-commissioned artist Agatha Gothe-Snape, invites members of the public to respond to a series of questions through a phone booth installation.
The activation is designed to gather personal reflections, memories and perspectives to build a collective archive of voices from Abu Dhabi. Visitors can take part at Manarat Al Saadiyat without registration.
Art Appears
25 to 27 September, 2pm to 7pm | Manarat Al Saadiyat
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s Collection artist Chant Avedissian will be the focus of a three-day pop-up series featuring talks, workshops and interactive activities at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
The programme will celebrate the life, practice and legacy of the artist. Through discussions and creative engagement, participants will explore the influences that shaped Avedissian’s distinctive visual language and the lasting impact of his work.
Avedissian reinterpreted Egypt’s cultural icons, histories and collective memory through a contemporary artistic lens. The programme will provide audiences with opportunities to explore these themes through conversations and hands-on activities. Registration is required.
Islamic and Contemporary Art
29 September, 6pm | Louvre Abu Dhabi
Closing the September programme, artist Rachid Koraïchi will join curator Abdelkader Damani for a conversation exploring abstraction as a shared artistic language across cultures and time.
The discussion will consider calligraphy, geometry and contemporary artistic practice, offering perspectives on the relationship between Islamic heritage and contemporary art. It will also examine the connections and exchanges that continue to shape artistic expression. Registration is required.
Following the September programme, the museum will announce further opportunities to engage with Guggenheim Abu Dhabi through a calendar of talks, activations and outreach initiatives across the UAE.
The programmes form part of the build-up to the museum’s opening and introduce audiences to the creative exchanges and ideas that will shape its programme.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is a museum of modern and contemporary art that connects cultures, inspires people and celebrates art from the 1960s to the present, with a focus on artists from around the world. Through its collection, commissions, research, exhibitions and multilingual programme, the museum will offer new perspectives on modern and contemporary art from an Abu Dhabi lens.
The museum takes a transcultural approach, moving beyond chronology and geography to highlight artistic lineages, networks and exchanges. Its collection spans painting, sculpture, installation, photography, moving image and new media.
Located in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District overlooking the sea, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi was designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry. The museum covers 11,600 square metres across 28 galleries, alongside 23,000 square metres of exterior exhibition spaces in the cones and terraces surrounding the building.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is the result of a collaboration between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.