Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is initiating a series of public programs ahead of its official opening on December 11, offering a preview of the themes and artists that will define the institution. This month, a range of talks, workshops, and interactive exhibits are taking place across venues in Abu Dhabi, aiming to engage the community and introduce the museum's vision.
One ongoing installation invites visitors to participate in a collective art project by Agatha Gothe-Snape, an artist commissioned by Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The installation, located at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District, consists of a phone booth where people can respond to a series of questions. Their answers, encompassing personal reflections and memories, will form an archive of local voices. This exhibit runs from September 25 to October 22 and is open to the public without prior registration.
Concurrently, a three-day pop-up event celebrates the work of Chant Avedissian, an Egyptian-Armenian artist featured in the museum’s collection. The pop-up includes talks, workshops, and interactive activities focused on Avedissian’s reinterpretation of Egypt’s cultural heritage and his influence on contemporary visual language. The event is also held at Manarat Al Saadiyat from September 25 to 27, between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with advance registration required.
September’s programming culminates with a conversation at Louvre Abu Dhabi on September 29 at 6 p.m., where artist Rachid Koraïchi will speak with curator Abdelkader Damani. Their discussion will explore abstraction as a shared artistic language across cultures and time periods, highlighting elements such as calligraphy, geometry, and the connections between Islamic heritage and modern art practices. Koraïchi, a Jameel Prize recipient, has longstanding ties to Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, having been among the first artists featured in the museum’s collection and its earlier preview exhibitions.
These initial events are part of a broader effort by Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to build engagement prior to its opening, with plans to introduce further talks and outreach activities across the UAE in the coming months. Additional updates will be made available via the museum’s official website.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi represents a collaborative project between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the museum is situated within the Saadiyat Cultural District, overlooking the sea. Its collection focuses on modern and contemporary art from the 1960s onward, encompassing a range of media including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, moving image, and new media. Rather than following a strict chronological layout, the museum’s 28 galleries, spanning 11,600 square meters, are organized thematically to allow visitors varied pathways through the exhibition. An additional 23,000 square meters of outdoor space envelops the building’s distinctive cones and terraces, expanding the scope for exhibitions and visitor experiences.