Announced as Abu Dhabi’s newest cultural destination, Warehouse421 will present a three-day event of artistic interaction as an introduction to the UAE’s cultural landscape with key exhibitions focusing on themes touching on the perceptions of memory and transformation. From the curated programme and events held on 19-21 November, visitors are encouraged to explore their worlds, creating new realities in the process through means of creative collaboration and sensory experiences, adding to the growing cultural discourse.
The launch of Warehouse421 falls in line with the vision of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation which reinforces its missions of investing in the future of the UAE’s people through art and cultural initiatives.
“The Foundation is committed to supporting emerging artists, building new audiences within the cultural sector, connecting Emirati artists with international audiences, and supporting innovative efforts to preserve and share the nation’s cultural heritage,” says Iman Alkhoori, Communications Manager at the Foundation. “In alignment with Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 the Foundation aims to develop Warehouse421 as a place that will nurture, advance and enhance the creativity for and throughout the UAE art community.”
As the epicenter of Mina Zayed, Warehouse421 will serve as the main gallery, hosting key exhibitions which will continue to run through beyond the duration of the launch. Exploring the themes of memory and transformation, two elements which play a strong part in the growth and establishment of Abu Dhabi as well as the 44 years of the UAE’s history, the exhibitions of photographs and three dimensional models create visual representations of early beginnings and the value placed on maintaining such foundations.
Lest We Forget: Emirati Family Photographs 1950-1999
Through a series of photographs spanning 49 years, Lest We Forget: Emirati Family Photographs 1950-1999, presents an examination of the ideals of memory and creative expression. Shared with the public for the first time, this extensive collection of family photographs by and of the first generations of Emirati citizens can be viewed. Along with this exhibition, an accompanying book details histories and details which present transcriptions of the inter- and intra-generational collaboration moving from grainy black and white prints, to glossy coloured polaroids.
1:100 The Warehouse Reimagined
An exhibition which aims to artistically explore the idea of transformation, as well as highlight the actuality of Mina Zayed and Warehouse421, 1:100 The Warehouse Reimagined presents various artistic representations of 3-dimensional warehouse models. All works have been submitted in response to an artists’ call at the beginning of the year to imagine transformations exploring the preservation in revolutionary cities.
Mina Zayed: Through the Lens of Jack Burlot
The third exhibition titled Mina Zayed: Through the Lens of Jack Burlot takes viewers through a day in the life of people in the Al Mina region. Personal moments are visually captured by the French photographer Jack Burlot, who first visited Abu Dhabi in 1974, providing an unobserved insight into their homes, way of living, daily happenings, qualities and characteristics.
A short distance from, yet within the overall exhibition programme of Warehouse421, an additional warehouse will showcase a selection of works from the Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artists Fellowship program. On for a limited time past the opening weekend, the exhibition Art, Process & Practice, presents the individual developments and procedures of creating and making art.
In celebration of the launch, Warehouse421 will hold a three-day event that will, present daily award-winning international musical performances, various types of workshops led by industry figures running throughout the day, a creative market celebrating 25 designers from different disciplines in addition to a variety of food and beverage outlets. The weekend event encourages all visitors to ‘explore’ the various worlds of art and culture, design and cuisine, creativity and music through the diverse programme.