The Art Here 2024 exhibition at the Louvre Abu Dhabi invites to explore the themes of time and transformation through a captivating blend of sand, sound, water, and air. This year’s exhibition features Simon Njami’s shortlisted works for the prestigious Richard Mille Art Prize and exhibition will last until December 15.

Ouvertures (French for openings), Awakenings, and Afaq (Arabic for horizon) are the exhibition’s three-word theme, each in a different language creates a thought-provoking riddle as labelled by Njami, that connects deeply with Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape. Njami emphasizes that this opening is not just a moment but a continuous journey towards greater awareness to reach a horizon.

With 200 applications for the art prize, Njami meticulously selected works that resonate with contemporary issues, employing diverse techniques and materials. He explained that successful exhibitions direct narratives that feel organic and intuitive.

The journey begins at the Louvre’s indoor forum featuring Landscapes by Tunisian artist Nicene Kossentini, showcasing haunting desert scenes that comment on global crises. Visitors then move to the striking Debutante Ball by Emirati artist Lamya Gargash, a 3D-printed sculpture made from UAE sand, symbolizing personal awakening.

Tilling the Soil by Franco-Tunisian artist Ferielle Doulain-Zouari uses hand-moulded clay bricks inspired by Abu Dhabi's archaeological sites, celebrating the collective human experience.

Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr's Brides of the Sky pays homage to women who defended a Syrian fort against Mongol invaders, reinterpreting traditional rampart designs into steel structures that reach for the sky.

Shared Motion by Sarah Almehairi creates an immersive audio-visual experience that visualizes the word wind in four languages, reflecting on the rich linguistic landscape of the Arabian Sea.

Art Here 2024 promises a thought-provoking journey that resonates with the themes of awakening and transformation, inviting visitors to engage deeply with contemporary art and its narratives.

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