New installations in Abu Dhabi’s downtown districts and Al Ain have been unveiled as part of the second phase of Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial.
Running until April 30, it aims to transform sections of the emirate into an open-air gallery with site-specific works by more than 70 artists from the UAE and abroad, including 40 new commissions.
Among the featured artists are Rand Abdul Jabbar, an Iraqi artist known for her sculptural works; Nigerian-American Nnenna Okore, whose installations incorporate burlap, paper and rope; and Palestinian-Swedish contemporary artist Tarik Kiswanson. The installations are spread across various locations including the Corniche, main bus terminal, National Theatre and Cultural Foundation.
Some of the notable works already on display include Barzakh by Wael Al Awar, a large dome structure incorporating materials derived from industrial waste, recycled plastics and palm fibre. Meanwhile, at Lake Park, Tentarium by Paweł Althamer is a whimsical homage to the city's cats, with a tent structure shaped like a feline - complete with ears, eyes and tail.
Reem Fadda, director of culture programming at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: "The artworks unveiled as part of the second phase present a wide range of perspectives on the concept of ‘public’ within our distinct cultural context. Together, these installations explore the complex relationships between environment, community, urbanity and indigeneity, and how these elements define public spaces within Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.”
Public Art Abu Dhabi director Clemence Bergal said the event aims to preserve and reimagine some of the emirate’s cherished locations. She added: “With every installation, we are harnessing the power of public art to advance the creative legacy, cultural infrastructure and quality of life within Abu Dhabi through placemaking and collective memory.”
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
