Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed meets famed architect Frank Gehry at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi site


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Frank Gehry – the architect behind the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris – met key Abu Dhabi officials at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum site on Saadiyat Island.

Gehry was welcomed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, second from left, architect Frank Gehry, second from right, and senior officials of DCT – Abu Dhabi and the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation, at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum site on Saadiyat Island. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, second from left, architect Frank Gehry, second from right, and senior officials of DCT – Abu Dhabi and the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation, at the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum site on Saadiyat Island. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Also in attendance were William Mack and Wendy Fisher, chairman and president of the board of trustees of the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation.

During the visit, Sheikh Khaled discussed the progress of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and reiterated the project’s goals of cultivating cultural exchange and transforming Abu Dhabi into a hub for culture and creativity.

The museum, designed by Gehry, was initially announced in 2006. Though its opening has faced delays along the way, the institution has been working on building its collection and, over the last year, has put together various virtual programmes.

Gehry’s design responds to the museum’s unique seafront location, with its three sides flanked by the Arabian Gulf. The building is planned at 30,000 square metres, which will be the largest facility for the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation once completed. The gallery space will measure about 12,000 square metres.

Inspired by Middle Eastern design, including courtyards and wind towers, the various galleries will be linked by bridges around a central courtyard. Gehry has also envisioned various spaces for exhibition galleries, an education and research space, a conservation laboratory, a cultural centre and one for art and technology.

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Frank Gehry's impressive structures

  • The Dancing House, also called 'Fred and Ginger', by architects Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry, in Prague, Czech Republic. All Photos: Alamy Stock Photo
    The Dancing House, also called 'Fred and Ginger', by architects Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry, in Prague, Czech Republic. All Photos: Alamy Stock Photo
  • Frank Gehry's Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Centre for Brain Health, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
    Frank Gehry's Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Centre for Brain Health, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
  • Hotel Marques de Riscal, designed by architects Frank Owen and Frank Gehry, in Elciego, Alava, Basque Country, Spain
    Hotel Marques de Riscal, designed by architects Frank Owen and Frank Gehry, in Elciego, Alava, Basque Country, Spain
  • Louis Vuitton Foundation art museum and cultural centre, designed by Frank Gehry, in Paris, France
    Louis Vuitton Foundation art museum and cultural centre, designed by Frank Gehry, in Paris, France
  • Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
    Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain
  • Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California
    Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California
  • Sculpture Peix D'or, Hotel Arts Barcelona, Mapfre Tower, in Barcelona, Spain
    Sculpture Peix D'or, Hotel Arts Barcelona, Mapfre Tower, in Barcelona, Spain
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1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: September 29, 2021, 8:07 AM