Timeframe: Before the Louvre Abu Dhabi bloomed on Saadiyat Island

The exact location of the Louvre is where greenhouses once stood that produced a bounty for the community

Courtesy Ali Kaddas Al Romaithi 
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One year ago this weekend, the eyes of the world were on Saadiyat Island as Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors. The UAE had produced a world-class venue designed to celebrate civilisation through a curated collection of art.

As we watched the sparkly domed building take shape, it became harder to believe that a half century ago, the exact area was once the location of another great project that caught the world's interest – hydroponic greenhouses.

Three Abu Dhabi students who were sent to study agricultural engineering in Arizona in 1966 returned in 1969 with the knowledge to cultivate sustainable produce on Saadiyat Island. Where vegetables once grew for the local community, now another garden of sorts blooms – a bounty of art that showcases cultures from around the world.

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