We finally seem to have got to the bottom of what is happening with Abu Dhabi Art’s Beyond programme. Although organisers told us they would be installing sculptures all across the city of Abu Dhabi, it turns out that they will remain on Saadiyat Island.
The good news is that for those who missed catching Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei's Forever sculpture made of steel bicycles in Manarat Al Saadiyat, it will be there for another six months. The same is true of Subodh Gupta's Et tu, Duchamp?, the bronze sculpture of a bearded Mona Lisa, standing in the Manarat's plaza and Today Will End, the written sculpture running above the entrance on the roof of the building by Indian artist Shilpa Gupta.
Lastly, over at the St. Regis hotel on the island, Sahand Hesamiyan’s gridded sculpture, which glows at night, will also remain in its place until next year.
It is a step in the right direction and next year, we hope that sculptures really do pop up all over the capital. We would really appreciate some public art in the UAE.
