As the year draws to a close, so do many significant exhibitions across the UAE.
From the landscape paintings of pioneering Palestinian artist Nabil Anani to a virtual exhibition displaying the splendour of the old Indian courts, here are three shows and a festival to visit this week.
The Land and I at Zawyeh Gallery
Anani’s paintings envision a Palestine free of checkpoints, cement walls and settlements. The vibrant and lush landscapes of rural Palestine are depicted using spices, wood, seeds and dried herbs. His choice of materials infuses the works with an added layer of significance, as he depicts landscapes using the very same organic elements.
Monday to Sunday, 10am-6pm; until January 12; Dubai
Superficial Transactions at Aisha Alabbar Gallery
Superficial Transactions is Eman Alhashemi’s first solo exhibition after returning from her studies in the US. It encapsulates her artistic journey and works across various mediums, including sculpture and ceramics.
The works are the result of her observations and critiques of everyday life. They reflect upon complex and intertwined relationships with ideas and objects around us, addressing consumerist states that at times habitually cycle towards boredom.
Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm; until January 6; Dubai
Liwa Village in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region
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Liwa Village at Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi. All photos Victor Besa / The National -
The festival has a circus performance by Beirut's Cirque du Liban -
The Winasa Zone is home to a heritage village -
Plenty of games to play at the festival -
Rides include a Ferris wheel and bumper cars -
Each zone is an offshute of the village's central square -
Entry way to Wanasa Zone -
The petting zoo at Liwa Village -
Liwa Village has a large Ferris wheel at its center -
Hollywood Circus vy Cirque du Liban at Liwa Village -
Baked mussels is on offer at Liwa Village -
Bike riding showcases can also be seen at Liwa Village -
You can also buy the latest ouds from Liwa Village
From a petting zoo and a souk to a host of traditional cultural activities, Liwa Village is an annual family festival organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and held in the capital's Al Dhafra region. Located two hours from the city centre, the event is a perfect way to explore both the UAE countryside as well as its heritage.
There are also several awe-inspiring performances that are held at the venue, including a nightly show by Beirut’s famous Cirque Du Liban. There is also a pop-up vintage car exhibition by the Emirates National Auto Museum, as well as food trucks serving everything from premium burgers to noodles and tacos.
Sunday to Thursday, 4pm to midnight; Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm to 2am; until January 4; Abu Dhabi
Ziena Splendor of the Indian Courts
Ziena Splendour of the Indian Courts, an exhibition at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, concluded in April, but the show has since been presented in online form. Running until the end of the year, the virtual iteration of Zeina Splendor of the Indian Courts showcases 84 objects from the country, which celebrate the craftsmanship of master jewellers and the Islamic aesthetic influences on decorative styles from the 16th to the 18th century.
These include jewelled daggers, knives, swords, pendants, a gem-encrusted shield, ornate domes, ceremonial sceptres and carved inlaid boxes and ornaments.
While it was perhaps best to witness these precious objects in person, the online exhibition is the next best thing. Accessible through the Sharjah Museums website, it contains all the information of the exhibition, as well as high-resolution images.
Until December 31
