![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEZZ6JZU7J6ACFQ556ZTRBUMHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=13522af59c724bea2f733fd7ecbb944c1898f3aaec5f2879ca0b1861fe82eda1&width=400&height=225)
Among the new building additions is an underground community art space named Launch Pad, built underneath the structure and platform. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGAAWTR755XTLDOXJ4LKSNHU6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=b084b14429305932eb907f362b2bf71a194f6ad04f96d2ba6fb8679f658b74f0&width=400&height=225)
The newly launched Sharjah Art Foundation space at the Flying Saucer building.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YIHJPCUNMA5LHYN7SNLRA3SUHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1403f869adfab2671a905ae812bac315edacee51f059b3c85ff8006ddb0a2d26&width=400&height=225)
The building’s design is distinctive for its Brutalist influences and unusual appearance against the backdrop of downtown Sharjah.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XVKXQV73DZ3BHUZOLH446EIDIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e2a0ddde59972e09d49882bf00d2c9b34db91b299408b28bde825e88760e378&width=400&height=225)
Sharjah Art Foundation acquired the building in 2012 when it was still a chicken shop and began making renovations to restore its original form.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI4BR4JY5ZISDNBPD3TE5B2KR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a3d039ed50bf31508b3c8d9f68687e92c762bec2ce9f6174a2a4fc9b66c4f3b&width=400&height=225)
Artwork by Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent titled Nowhere Less Now 3 [flying saucer] at the newly launched Sharjah Art Foundation space, at the Flying Saucer.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGEHXPAZ5NKJKTD5UOYV6ZUSWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a25c436c2b92f6253a8549afc63cbf8ae50a87a527215f9dd54ecfb275596736&width=400&height=225)
Metallic silver sheets hang from the dome to house a film installation.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FNJ3G5EGKDXM52JAS6B3ZGD73Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b89b34ff545e93364b222493c2efa160a6b66de70f314357edee79972af80f1&width=400&height=225)
Large-scale sculptures resembling reef balls and dolos encircle the space. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A6CMAJ3G6UFUEZH4D5R2NXRS6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=a35874ca1f6112eba0c3474260b11f340d61b213e7ecc97da81b16503433856d&width=400&height=225)
In the coming weeks, SAF has prepared a programme of film screenings, workshops and events in order to bring the community into the space.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3ACY7QGJKWMGUMENLVVHGXZTEE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4b5aba3263f01aa9e8e9aaf87936db1840ac164236c02586d24ea90ad5e02104&width=400&height=225)
The buildings new 'launch pad' includes the ‘green crater’, a sunken circular courtyard that lets in light from above.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DXDMLI72OOHBADX6H56PHCQEZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=24f69644923f329dc7e915a1f67756804917ec1624d207af26434c07fb74ef87&width=400&height=225)
The building also has a cafe, a public art library – the first of its kind in the emirate.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3SR76Q6DYT6SDAL5OETOOJTOQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bc925b0b9e47ff16a9dad4d66842bcc512b0596673c11e546a004b05c18859e&width=400&height=225)
It also has enclosed pods to be used for meetings, workshops and other activities.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZSMPN5CYMQ35BW7WLKL763TMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9481d5e9700994b6fcb83607910fa186bdd55d91819bcd7e101cf857e50483be&width=400&height=225)
It has staged workshops on calligraphy, photography, drawing and tile art.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QUGL3MUO6XKL2XFA5FXUNB7F7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=d72f087980391a5c1027d5ff0798e56bd0164955fd25359340cfea37c7a60d93&width=400&height=225)
The workshops are all free and open to the public, though online registration is required. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DJTDKDIRJVVTO33TS54L323HTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=010ff46ebb057d68f44c7153f1324b1f22ec67533b36241f3732af24c207593d&width=400&height=225)
A close up look at the work on show at the Flying Saucer. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6BMPL5SB5HIWJIAPQV4NYJN7GM.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf53e2f4be5f5758fb23196f02eaad21291d607625e44bf96d394934802a5c47&width=400&height=225)
The building's modifications, led by SAF and Mona El Mousfy of SpaceContinuum Design Studio, were also made to accommodate the 2015 exhibition 1980-Today: Exhibitions . Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEZZ6JZU7J6ACFQ556ZTRBUMHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=13522af59c724bea2f733fd7ecbb944c1898f3aaec5f2879ca0b1861fe82eda1&width=400&height=225)
Among the new building additions is an underground community art space named Launch Pad, built underneath the structure and platform. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGAAWTR755XTLDOXJ4LKSNHU6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=b084b14429305932eb907f362b2bf71a194f6ad04f96d2ba6fb8679f658b74f0&width=400&height=225)
The newly launched Sharjah Art Foundation space at the Flying Saucer building.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YIHJPCUNMA5LHYN7SNLRA3SUHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1403f869adfab2671a905ae812bac315edacee51f059b3c85ff8006ddb0a2d26&width=400&height=225)
The building’s design is distinctive for its Brutalist influences and unusual appearance against the backdrop of downtown Sharjah.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XVKXQV73DZ3BHUZOLH446EIDIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1e2a0ddde59972e09d49882bf00d2c9b34db91b299408b28bde825e88760e378&width=400&height=225)
Sharjah Art Foundation acquired the building in 2012 when it was still a chicken shop and began making renovations to restore its original form.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI4BR4JY5ZISDNBPD3TE5B2KR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a3d039ed50bf31508b3c8d9f68687e92c762bec2ce9f6174a2a4fc9b66c4f3b&width=400&height=225)
Artwork by Lindsay Seers and Keith Sargent titled Nowhere Less Now 3 [flying saucer] at the newly launched Sharjah Art Foundation space, at the Flying Saucer.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EGEHXPAZ5NKJKTD5UOYV6ZUSWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a25c436c2b92f6253a8549afc63cbf8ae50a87a527215f9dd54ecfb275596736&width=400&height=225)
Metallic silver sheets hang from the dome to house a film installation.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FNJ3G5EGKDXM52JAS6B3ZGD73Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b89b34ff545e93364b222493c2efa160a6b66de70f314357edee79972af80f1&width=400&height=225)
Large-scale sculptures resembling reef balls and dolos encircle the space. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A6CMAJ3G6UFUEZH4D5R2NXRS6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=a35874ca1f6112eba0c3474260b11f340d61b213e7ecc97da81b16503433856d&width=400&height=225)
In the coming weeks, SAF has prepared a programme of film screenings, workshops and events in order to bring the community into the space.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3ACY7QGJKWMGUMENLVVHGXZTEE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4b5aba3263f01aa9e8e9aaf87936db1840ac164236c02586d24ea90ad5e02104&width=400&height=225)
The buildings new 'launch pad' includes the ‘green crater’, a sunken circular courtyard that lets in light from above.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DXDMLI72OOHBADX6H56PHCQEZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=24f69644923f329dc7e915a1f67756804917ec1624d207af26434c07fb74ef87&width=400&height=225)
The building also has a cafe, a public art library – the first of its kind in the emirate.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3SR76Q6DYT6SDAL5OETOOJTOQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bc925b0b9e47ff16a9dad4d66842bcc512b0596673c11e546a004b05c18859e&width=400&height=225)
It also has enclosed pods to be used for meetings, workshops and other activities.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZSMPN5CYMQ35BW7WLKL763TMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9481d5e9700994b6fcb83607910fa186bdd55d91819bcd7e101cf857e50483be&width=400&height=225)
It has staged workshops on calligraphy, photography, drawing and tile art.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QUGL3MUO6XKL2XFA5FXUNB7F7Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=d72f087980391a5c1027d5ff0798e56bd0164955fd25359340cfea37c7a60d93&width=400&height=225)
The workshops are all free and open to the public, though online registration is required. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DJTDKDIRJVVTO33TS54L323HTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=010ff46ebb057d68f44c7153f1324b1f22ec67533b36241f3732af24c207593d&width=400&height=225)
A close up look at the work on show at the Flying Saucer. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6BMPL5SB5HIWJIAPQV4NYJN7GM.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf53e2f4be5f5758fb23196f02eaad21291d607625e44bf96d394934802a5c47&width=400&height=225)
The building's modifications, led by SAF and Mona El Mousfy of SpaceContinuum Design Studio, were also made to accommodate the 2015 exhibition 1980-Today: Exhibitions . Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEZZ6JZU7J6ACFQ556ZTRBUMHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=13522af59c724bea2f733fd7ecbb944c1898f3aaec5f2879ca0b1861fe82eda1&width=400&height=225)
Among the new building additions is an underground community art space named Launch Pad, built underneath the structure and platform. Antonie Robertson / The National
First look: Sharjah's Flying Saucer reopens to the public as art space – in pictures
Constructed in the late 1970s, the building has become a landmark for the emirate and will now become an arts and community space
![Alexandra Chaves](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fbdf74649-e581-430d-bebb-05a009adb530.png?smart=true&auth=1aaef0ec554b632723f2f63cf60bfb8380f8e1ec18ca35283e642f53cc0bac8e&width=70&height=70)
Alexandra Chaves
13 October, 2020
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