Haweia, the winning artwork of this year's Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award, will be unveiled at NYU Abu Dhabi in November.
The sculptural installation, conceived by three architecture students from the American University of Sharjah, was announced as the award's winning submission on Wednesday, May 20.
The piece will be created by Sara Mohamed from Egypt, Laura AlDhahi from Kuwait and Sahil Rattha Singh from India, who have received $10,000 (Dh36,725) in prize money to complete their piece.
The students will work closely alongside professionals from NYUAD Art Gallery and Jason Carlow, associate professor at the American University of Sharjah’s department of architecture.
The installation, when finished, will have a smooth exterior facade of folded aluminium, contrasted with a complex interior of reflective surfaces and fins. It will allow visitors to look through a lens to "contemplate their inner selves" as they move around and inside the piece. Its title, Haweia, is taken from the Arabic word for "identity".
The award, held under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, is in its eighth year, and presented by NYUAD in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (Admaf).
The award's selection committee included Admaf founder Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, NYUAD provost Fabio Piano, Abu Dhabi Art director Dyala Nusseibeh, artist Azza Al Qubaisi and guest juror Kevin Jones, founder of consultancy Juniper Mind.
"[The award] continues to be a vital part of the UAE’s creative sector by stimulating creativity and giving young artists the opportunity to carry projects through to full realisation with guidance from experts,” said Alkhamis-Kanoo in a statement.
Maya Allison, executive director of NYUAD Art Gallery, added: “I have been genuinely impressed by the resourcefulness and commitment of these artists, which have not faded with the arrival of the pandemic. This difficult time has created a challenging environment for art production, and yet, even as they finish their college year remotely, they have still managed to launch the project plan and production.
"Our team has set up videoconference mentoring, reviewing materials and plans. Thus, once again, The Christo Award process allows young artists to experience the real world of making a major project, including joining us in facing the great unknowns that can emerge at a time like this.”
Established in 2013, the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award draws its name from artists Christo Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude Denat. The two, who were married until Jeanne-Claude’s death in 2009, worked with environmental and installation art, often using everyday materials such as plastic and fabric.
The award is open to students and recent graduates in the UAE.
After the unveiling of Haweia later this year, the installation will go on tour, to Abu Dhabi Art and the capital's Umm Al Emarat Park.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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RACECARD
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
