ABU DHABI: Louvre Abu Dhabi and luxury Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille opened the fourth edition of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here exhibition, which will be on display until 15th December 2024. The exhibition highlights contemporary artworks, offering a platform for both emerging and established artists from the GCC and North Africa. It underscores the museum’s dedication to cultural dialogue and innovation, featuring a diverse range of pieces that showcase the region’s rich and dynamic contemporary practices.
Set beneath the museum’s iconic dome, Art Here 2024 showcases five sculptures and installations shortlisted for the 2024 Richard Mille Art Prize, featuring exceptional artists from the UAE, Tunisia and Egypt. The exhibition’s theme explores three key concepts reflected in Louvre Abu Dhabi’s three official languages: awakenings (in English), overtures (openings in French) and (horizons in Arabic).
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said, ‘We are grateful for our continued partnership wit
h Richard Mille. Displaying the work of contemporary artists from the Arab World at the museum is a core mission for us, and Art Here offers them a unique opportunity to interact with us and share their perspectives with a global audience. The fourth edition of Art Here under the curation of Simon Njami marks a significant evolution in both depth and maturity, with a remarkable selection of artists that will take over the museum spaces under the dome.’
Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille for Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented, “The Richard Mille Art Prize was established to spotlight and empower some of the most exceptional talents in this region. This year, we are thrilled to see the prize expand into North Africa, setting a new precedent in the history of art prizes across this region. Today, Art Here has become the most dynamic and rapidly growing art prize in the MENA region-designed to endure and evolve year after year. Art Here 2024 stands as a testament to this vision, and its growth this year
was met with remarkable passion and strength by curator Simon Njami. I extend my deepest thanks to Manuel Rabaté and the city of Abu Dhabi for their belief in and support of our vision to co-create this prize with Louvre Abu Dhabi.”
The selected artists have created site-specific installations centered around these concepts, reflecting on a moment of transition from unconsciousness to consciousness. To be opened and to open represent two facets of the same coin. Opening signifies a starting point-a moment when all possibilities are available, implying choices and decisions on the direction to be taken. It marks the beginning of a journey.
Each shortlisted artist offers a unique interpretation of these temporal concepts, bringing their individual perspectives to the interplay of time and perception. Their works engage with the fluidity of time, transforming it into a tangible experience that invites viewers to explore the intricate layers of awareness, openness and vision within the artistic narrative. The s
ymbolic dome creates a dynamic interplay of shadows, reflections and permeating light, turning the space into a captivating artistic experience.
Guilhem André, Director Scientific, Curatorial and Collection Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, said, “This year’s exhibition marks a significant expansion in our artistic outreach, now including contemporary artists from North Africa alongside the GCC. Under guest curator Simon Njami’s expert guidance, the jury has selected artists who are presenting works that beautifully display the interplay between transformation, cultural dialogue and the nuanced relationship between heritage and modernity.’
Franco-Tunisian artist Férielle Doulain-Zouari’s ‘Tilling the Soil’ is a multi-dimensional exploration of memory and landscape through installations, sculptures, and weavings. Her work captures sensory details and the interplay between natural and artificial realms, revealing how personal and environmental elements intersect and evolve over time.
Emirati artist Lamya Garga
sh’s ‘Debutante Ball’ transforms UAE sand into a 2-meter beach ball sculpture, profoundly exploring Arab identity and cultural heritage through the symbolism of sand. This dynamic art piece challenges stereotypes, encourages dialogue, and embodies the warmth and hospitality central to Arab culture, using interactive art to foster curiosity and change perceptions.
Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr explores themes of bravery and resilience through ‘The Brides of the Sky’, reimagining historical cresting structures that symbolize women’s courage during times of conflict. This installation bridges past and present, reflecting on the strength of women while connecting the physical and transcendent worlds.
Tunisian artist Nicène Kossentini’s work ‘Landscapes’ is a poetic exploration of disappearance through the slow alteration of landscapes beneath translucent wax. This installation invites viewers to contemplate the subtle, often invisible transformations of life and environment, reflecting on the fragility and impact
of human actions with a sense of “gentle violence”.
Sarah Almehairi, an Emirati artist from Abu Dhabi, presents ‘Shared Motion’, which explores the movement within stillness by showcasing the word “wind” in Arabic, Farsi, Hindi and Urdu. Through this work, Almehairi highlights the intricate interplay of language, culture, and history, offering a new perspective on the region’s ongoing evolution.
Simon Njami, Curator of Art Here 2024, added, ‘This exhibition marks a new beginning for the Richard Mille Art Prize. By widening the scope of applicants, we have expanded the possibilities for aesthetic confrontations, dialogues and challenges. The exhibition aims to reflect the evolution of contemporary art practices in the region and beyond. One particularity of this project is that it is tailored to be in harmony with the shelter represented by Louvre Abu Dhabi. All the works, conceived specifically for the Prize, were produced site-specifically and will create an environment that should enchant the audience.’
The jury received over 200 submissions from artists across the participating regions, of which five artworks were shortlisted. The winner of the Richard Mille Art Prize will be announced at a ceremony in December 2024 and awarded US$60,000.
Source: Emirates News Agency