The second edition of Manar Abu Dhabi, set to launch in November 2025, promises to transform the emirate into a breathtaking open-air gallery of light installations and large-scale sculptures. Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the exhibition will feature works from 15 artists and collectives across 10 countries, united under the theme ‘The Light Compass.’ This theme explores the profound role of light in guiding human journeys, both physical and spiritual. For the first time, the exhibition will extend to Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where eight installations will illuminate the Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oasis Trails. Visitors can experience new works by Emirati artists Maitha Hamdan, Ammar Al Attar, and designer Khalid Shafar, whose creations respond to the heritage and natural environment of the historic oases. At Souq Al Mina, global art icon KAWS will unveil a luminous COMPANION sculpture—a reclining figure holding a glowing moon—marking the American artist’s first major work in the UAE. The monumental piece, positioned against Abu Dhabi’s city skyline, creates a contemporary scene linked to maritime memory. Five Emirati artists will feature prominently this year, joining an international lineup that includes DRIFT from the Netherlands, Montreal-based studio Iregular, Spanish digital artist Six N. Five, and Malaysian sculptor Pamela Poh. Artistic Director Khai Hori emphasized that Manar Abu Dhabi continues to celebrate the dialogue between Emirati creativity and global innovation. On Jubail Island, Dutch studio DRIFT will create immersive experiences where visitors’ biometric data transforms into ephemeral digital flowers and soundscapes inside a dome-like structure. Outside, hundreds of choreographed drones will move across the island’s mangroves in synchronised motion, evoking growth and renewal. Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou will present a 30-metre circular installation that transforms as water crystallizes into salt, creating an ephemeral landmark amid the mangroves. In Al Ain’s palm-dense Jimi Oasis, Maitha Hamdan’s sensor-activated illuminated ropes will cascade from a six-meter acacia tree, responding to visitors’ movements. Nearby, Ammar Al Attar will transform a historic house courtyard with photographic self-portraits captured while cycling in circles, presented sequentially in lightboxes. Khalid Shafar will reinterpret traditional Sadu weaving into a 70-metre pixelated pattern of light and bricks stretching through a historic building along the Al Qattara Oasis Trail. Canadian-Mexican artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer will present poems by contemporary Emirati poets as slow streams of letters along the trail, alongside a hovering light canopy that pulses in rhythm with visitors’ heartbeats. The exhibition emphasizes accessible public art experiences across Abu Dhabi’s diverse landscapes, part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Public Art initiative. Manar Abu Dhabi aims to enhance the emirate’s cultural fabric while fostering creativity through large-scale installations that engage both residents and visitors. The exhibition will run from November 1, 2025, to January 4, 2026 in Al Ain, and November 15, 2025, to January 4, 2026 in Abu Dhabi. Entry is free, with accompanying talks, performances, and workshops to be announced soon.
Large-scale sculptures, light art: Manar Abu Dhabi to turn emirate into open-air gallery
