Buzz
Louvre Abu Dhabi (LAD) is hailed as the 'culmination of artistry in the Arab world,' officially unveiled in mid-November 2017. After nearly 8 years of construction, aficionados of global art can now behold the masterpiece worth over 600 million Euros, showcasing over 300 pieces borrowed from French museums.
Explore the Seaside Adaptation of Louvre in Abu Dhabi
Nestled in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the oceanic rendition of Louvre is designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, boasting a spacious exhibition area of 9,200m². A temporary foundation was built underwater for this project since 2009, utilizing over 4,000 steel tubes and reinforced concrete.
This contemporary architectural ensemble is erected amidst a desert region, on Saadiyat Island. It is a cultural collaboration project between the authorities of Paris and Abu Dhabi, initially signed in 2007.
Initially slated to commence operations in 2012, the project faced delays due to various reasons. Under a 1 billion Euro agreement, the government agency Agence France Museums will support Abu Dhabi over 30 years on multiple fronts, including lending 300 precious artworks from the storages of 13 renowned French museums, including the Louvre in Paris.
This alternating collection of 300 pieces facilitates thematic exhibitions at Louvre Abu Dhabi, covering painting, sculpture, archaeology, rare books, and more. Additionally, Paris aids Abu Dhabi in establishing a permanent collection comprising over 300 rare and significant pieces, spanning historical, cultural, and social themes.
According to the board of directors of Louvre Abu Dhabi, initially, the museum exhibited around 200 varied pieces, mostly valuable artifacts. Louvre Abu Dhabi also prioritizes treasures from ancient civilizations or prehistoric times, allocating only 5% of the exhibition space for displaying modern artworks.
Among the top-tier ancient artifacts in the permanent collection is a 6th-century Islamic Quran, a 5th-century Gothic-language Bible, and a Yemeni Torah according to Jewish tradition.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi event concurrently showcases three significant religious icons, reflecting the museum's ambition: to bridge and foster dialogue among civilizations with a spirit of tolerance, openness, and harmony. The UAE authorities aim to build reputation based on art and culture to assert their distinctiveness from neighboring Qatar.
Launched a decade ago, the initial cost of the Louvre Abu Dhabi project amounted to 600 million euros. However, the construction of this cultural complex encountered several issues in organization and fundraising. Eventually, the Abu Dhabi Museum was completed but nearly 4 years behind the original schedule.
Visitors to Louvre Abu Dhabi can also dine, watch films, and enjoy relaxing coffee. Exhibitions will change every 3 months to attract attention and announce additional valuable pieces acquired by the museum. In the recent opening, visitors had the opportunity to admire 18th-century French art with works by Manet, Monet, Matisse, and Leonardo da Vinci.
The true 'treasure trove' of Louvre Abu Dhabi lies in artworks with long histories, while the museum's directors continue to seek and acquire globally. Among them is a stunning Buddha statue from Northern China, carved from white jade in the mid-6th century, a gold bracelet adorned with lion head details, crafted in 12th-century Azerbaijan in Iran...
The success of this project will pave the way for many others, including plans to build the Guggenheim Museum by American architect Frank Gehry and the museum of the royal family by Norman Foster, a British architect.
According to Quoc Hung/CAND
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourFebruary 6, 2018
