Where East Meets West: Louvre Abu Dhabi

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As the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi is home to breathtaking architecture and cultural landmarks such as the 35-storey Capital Gate Building or the “Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi” with an 18-degree incline; the Etihad Towers, a building complex comprised of three residential towers, a corporate tower, and a five-star hotel; and 31 colossal aluminum-clad tablets of the Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity), honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the UAE.

The museum design showcases the ever-changing relationship between sun, sea, art, and architecture.

Also, all-too-familiar film glimpses in Sex and The City 2 (2010); Furious 7 and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015); and Dune (2021). Apart from a visual feast of built structures exuding innovation and sophistication, this largest UAE Emirate is also known for its cultural spaces. For instance, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques with 82 domes, chandeliers with 24-carat gold inlay, and more than 1,000 columns; and the recreation of a Parisian landmark, Louvre Abu Dhabi.

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ORIGINS AND SPRAWLING ROOTS

The museum is an intergovernmental cultural collaboration and agreement between France and the UAE in 2007, costing around $1.2 billion and allowing Abu Dhabi to use the name “Louvre” and borrow art from 13 to 17 French cultural institutions such as Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, and the Louvre; along with management assistance and guidance for 30 years. A recent tally in early 2024 reports a 5-million visitor milestone at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, welcoming visitors from around the globe since its 2017 inauguration.

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Children's Museum.

While the museum takes pride in its French architect and Pritzker Prize-winning Jean Nouvel-designed architecture, the construction project, which lasted 10 years, drew criticism for involving migrant workers and connecting it to histories of labor issues in the region, as reported by various media entities. Nouvel defended this, pointing to the better conditions provided to the workers compared to other countries.

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A floating dome of light and shade: An Architectural Gem on Saadiyat Island

The museum is located in the heart of Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District, an ongoing project set to complete by 2025, where the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (both designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects), along with teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, will be located.

Louvre Abu Dhabi is surrounded by water, where visitors can arrive by land or sea.

From afar, Louvre Abu Dhabi gives the impression of floating, inspired by Arabic cupolas. Its 180-meter-diameter dome has eight overlapping layers of interlocking aluminum and steel, creating a complex geometry with more than 7,800 stars, sheltering 55 museum buildings and providing shade for public spaces. The buildings/pavilions give an impression of a contemporary Arab medina, enabling visitors to navigate comfortably. The dome, meanwhile, interacts with light, pierced by sunlight in the day and emitting a constellation of stars at night. In terms of its galleries, there are 23 devoted to its permanent collection, a large 2,000 sqm. changing exhibition space, a waterside restaurant, and a children’s museum.

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Inside a museum gallery

Apart from its celebrated French architect and cultural ties between France and the UAE, the museum acts as a cultural bridge for its diverse publics with an expanding collection that spans cultures, periods, and regions, highlighting shared human experiences and cross-cultural exchanges.

Like other global museums, its outreach efforts promote education and research through public programming and pedagogical initiatives that foster an appreciation for art, culture, and history.

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