ABU DHABI // Something remarkable and city-shaping happened last night in Mina Zayed, where Abu Dhabi gave birth to its own qasr of creative cool, Warehouse421.
With a sophisticated sprinkling of inspired fairy dust, Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation (SHF) commissioned the global architect of the minute, Bjarke Ingels, to transform the old warehouse, numbered 421, into a modern hub for arts and culture in the heart of the old port.
For its opening weekend, the surrounding pedestrian plaza includes a creative district of shipping containers repurposed to dramatic effect, showcasing designer boutiques, art galleries, DJ booths, street artists and dancers, with food trucks, a temporary mosque constructed from chipboard and a performance space framed by a double avenue of old dhows.
Ingels was on site for the festivities – which included a peformance by the Tuareg group Tinariwen – as was French photographer Jack Burlot, various art-world luminaries from the nearby Abu Dhabi Art (on this weekend at Manarat Al Saadiyat) and people from all walks of life across the emirates.
Minds were blown. If you weren’t there, you missed out, but you have two more days to take in the opening festival, dubbed Explore Your World, from 3 to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.
nleech@thenational.ae
mgannon@thenational.ae
