Under the Falcon’s Wings: the Sheikh Zayed Museum
The opening of the Sheikh Zayed Museum in Abu Dhabi on 3 December 2025 became more than a cultural date in the calendar. It marks the arrival of a new “sculpture on the skyline”, a monument to the Founding Father of the UAE, in which architecture, light, and space act as a single artistic statement. The museum tells its story through form and atmosphere as much as through objects, turning the building itself into the first and most powerful exhibit. So, today, we offer you to learn more about this breathtaking project.
#mustvisitmuseumuae
The opening of the Sheikh Zayed Museum in Abu Dhabi on 3 December 2025 became more than a cultural date in the calendar. It marks the arrival of a new “sculpture on the skyline”, a monument to the Founding Father of the UAE, in which architecture, light, and space act as a single artistic statement. The museum tells its story through form and atmosphere as much as through objects, turning the building itself into the first and most powerful exhibit. So, today, we offer you to learn more about this breathtaking project.
#mustvisitmuseumuae
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The largest painting is, of course, in Dubai
The Guinness World Record for the largest painting in the world was set right here: British artist Sasha Jafri painted a gigantic canvas in Dubai. In a city that loves everything "big," even painting has decided to play by the rules.
Title: The Journey of Humanity
Artist: Sacha Jafri
Dimension: 17 000 sq feet
Place of creation: ballroom of Hotel Atlantis The Palm
Year of creation: 2020
The Guinness World Record for the largest painting in the world was set right here: British artist Sasha Jafri painted a gigantic canvas in Dubai. In a city that loves everything "big," even painting has decided to play by the rules.
Title: The Journey of Humanity
Artist: Sacha Jafri
Dimension: 17 000 sq feet
Place of creation: ballroom of Hotel Atlantis The Palm
Year of creation: 2020
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Explore Hatta: Six Places You Must Visit
Tucked away among the rugged peaks of the Hajar Mountains, Hatta offers a refreshing escape into nature, history, and open landscapes. From peaceful waters and panoramic viewpoints to iconic landmarks perched high above the valley, this mountain enclave is rich in experiences for every kind of traveller. Today's article is dedicated to six must-visit spots that capture the essence of Hatta and make any visit truly memorable.
Tucked away among the rugged peaks of the Hajar Mountains, Hatta offers a refreshing escape into nature, history, and open landscapes. From peaceful waters and panoramic viewpoints to iconic landmarks perched high above the valley, this mountain enclave is rich in experiences for every kind of traveller. Today's article is dedicated to six must-visit spots that capture the essence of Hatta and make any visit truly memorable.
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15th-Century Iraqi World Map
Ink, colours, and gold on paper. 27.5 x 33 cm (folio), 28 x 34 x 3.1 cm (including mounting).
This rare illustrated map from 15th-century Iraq offers a fascinating insight into pre-modern Islamic conceptions of the world. It follows a tradition common in Islamic cartography, where the world is often presented schematically. Landmasses, seas, and regions are organised to express relationships and hierarchies rather than scale.
Beyond its informational role, the map is also a crafted object. Calligraphic inscriptions, balanced compositions, and careful use of ink and pigment reflect the high status of manuscripts as both scientific tools and works of art.
Where to see?
The Cosmography section,
Louvre Abu Dhabi
#artpieceofthedayuae
Courtesy of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Photo: Hervé Lewandowski.
Ink, colours, and gold on paper. 27.5 x 33 cm (folio), 28 x 34 x 3.1 cm (including mounting).
This rare illustrated map from 15th-century Iraq offers a fascinating insight into pre-modern Islamic conceptions of the world. It follows a tradition common in Islamic cartography, where the world is often presented schematically. Landmasses, seas, and regions are organised to express relationships and hierarchies rather than scale.
Beyond its informational role, the map is also a crafted object. Calligraphic inscriptions, balanced compositions, and careful use of ink and pigment reflect the high status of manuscripts as both scientific tools and works of art.
Where to see?
The Cosmography section,
Louvre Abu Dhabi
#artpieceofthedayuae
Courtesy of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Photo: Hervé Lewandowski.
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The Hierarchy of Being
This walk-in sculptural installation, commissioned as part of the Maraya Art Park initiative, was created by Iraqi-American artist and art professor Wafaa Bilal. The dome-like sculpture standing several metres tall with a diameter of over 10 m. draws from scientific discoveries of the Islamic Golden Age. Inside, it functions as a giant camera obscura: there are 15 mechanical “iris” windows that open and close in timed sequences. As they do, light enters and casts upside-down images of the surrounding waterfront and sky onto the interior surfaces.
Where to see?
Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah
#public_art_uae
This walk-in sculptural installation, commissioned as part of the Maraya Art Park initiative, was created by Iraqi-American artist and art professor Wafaa Bilal. The dome-like sculpture standing several metres tall with a diameter of over 10 m. draws from scientific discoveries of the Islamic Golden Age. Inside, it functions as a giant camera obscura: there are 15 mechanical “iris” windows that open and close in timed sequences. As they do, light enters and casts upside-down images of the surrounding waterfront and sky onto the interior surfaces.
Where to see?
Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah
#public_art_uae
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Moments of Hope by Besher Koushaji
Moments of Hope, a solo exhibition by Syrian artist Besher Koushaji, is on display at Firetti Contemporary until 12 January 2026. Steeped in the emotional landscapes of displacement, longing, and cultural continuity, the show presents a series of works in which Koushaji reflects on both personal history and broader collective narratives shaped by conflict and uncertainty.
Moments of Hope, a solo exhibition by Syrian artist Besher Koushaji, is on display at Firetti Contemporary until 12 January 2026. Steeped in the emotional landscapes of displacement, longing, and cultural continuity, the show presents a series of works in which Koushaji reflects on both personal history and broader collective narratives shaped by conflict and uncertainty.
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In the Space of Becoming by Alia Hussain Lootah
In the Space of Becoming at Aisha Alabbar Gallery is the first solo exhibition by Emirati artist Alia Hussain Lootah, set to open on 17 January and remain on view until 10 March 2026. The show displays paintings, objects, and sculptures that form a quiet yet deeply personal narrative about kinship, home, and the way forms literally “come into being” before the viewer’s eyes.
In the Space of Becoming at Aisha Alabbar Gallery is the first solo exhibition by Emirati artist Alia Hussain Lootah, set to open on 17 January and remain on view until 10 March 2026. The show displays paintings, objects, and sculptures that form a quiet yet deeply personal narrative about kinship, home, and the way forms literally “come into being” before the viewer’s eyes.
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Al Hosn Festival 2026
Al Hosn Festival 2026 will turn Qasr Al Hosn and the surrounding historic cluster into a large “living set” of Emirati history: a market, a stage, a museum, and a family park all at once. Running from 17 January to 1 February 2026, the festival is the flagship festival of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, dedicated to Emirati heritage, traditional crafts, and the contemporary cultural life of the city.
Al Hosn Festival 2026 will turn Qasr Al Hosn and the surrounding historic cluster into a large “living set” of Emirati history: a market, a stage, a museum, and a family park all at once. Running from 17 January to 1 February 2026, the festival is the flagship festival of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, dedicated to Emirati heritage, traditional crafts, and the contemporary cultural life of the city.
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Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026
Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026 is a chance to see a different Dubai: not just towers and malls, but narrow lanes, traditional houses, and a dense programme driven by regional artists and designers.
The 14th Sikka Art & Design Festival will run from 23 January to 1 February 2026 in Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood. The event uses restored Emirati houses, courtyards, and alleyways as its main exhibition architecture.
Sikka is focused on Emirati and GCC‑based artists and designers, both emerging and established. The open call for 2026 stresses that all submissions must be new, previously unseen works that speak to Dubai’s culture, communities, and urban context.
The festival's programme also includes talks, workshops, family activities, food concepts, and pop‑up retail that bring together design objects, books, crafts, and culinary projects rooted in local traditions.
Sikka Art & Design Festival 2026 is a chance to see a different Dubai: not just towers and malls, but narrow lanes, traditional houses, and a dense programme driven by regional artists and designers.
The 14th Sikka Art & Design Festival will run from 23 January to 1 February 2026 in Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood. The event uses restored Emirati houses, courtyards, and alleyways as its main exhibition architecture.
Sikka is focused on Emirati and GCC‑based artists and designers, both emerging and established. The open call for 2026 stresses that all submissions must be new, previously unseen works that speak to Dubai’s culture, communities, and urban context.
The festival's programme also includes talks, workshops, family activities, food concepts, and pop‑up retail that bring together design objects, books, crafts, and culinary projects rooted in local traditions.
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Quoz Arts Fest 2026
Tomorrow, the Quoz Arts Fest will turn Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue and the wider Al Quoz Creative Zone into a walkable stage. For two days, art, music, and food take over warehouses, courtyards, and the streets of Alserkal Avenue. For January, it is one of the city’s key events, offering a vivid snapshot of the regional scene, from experimental installations to hip hop and family activities.
Read today's article to learn more about the packed programme of the fest!
Tomorrow, the Quoz Arts Fest will turn Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue and the wider Al Quoz Creative Zone into a walkable stage. For two days, art, music, and food take over warehouses, courtyards, and the streets of Alserkal Avenue. For January, it is one of the city’s key events, offering a vivid snapshot of the regional scene, from experimental installations to hip hop and family activities.
Read today's article to learn more about the packed programme of the fest!
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Error 001 – Experimental Villa
Error 001 – Experimental Villa Is a bold residential design by Error Architecture Studio that mirrors two inverted "ground" volumes facing each other. It challenges the conventional villa typology that dominates Dubai’s suburban landscape.
The villa explores raw materiality, modular thinking, and climatic responsiveness. Volumes are fragmented rather than unified. Thus, they create shaded interstitial spaces that respond to heat and light while blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. Structural elements are often left exposed, reinforcing the idea of a building as a process rather than a sealed object. The layout prioritises adaptability: spaces can be reconfigured, extended, or even partially dismantled, which challenges the notion of the villa as a static status symbol.
Where?
Dubai
#architecture_uae
Error 001 – Experimental Villa Is a bold residential design by Error Architecture Studio that mirrors two inverted "ground" volumes facing each other. It challenges the conventional villa typology that dominates Dubai’s suburban landscape.
The villa explores raw materiality, modular thinking, and climatic responsiveness. Volumes are fragmented rather than unified. Thus, they create shaded interstitial spaces that respond to heat and light while blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. Structural elements are often left exposed, reinforcing the idea of a building as a process rather than a sealed object. The layout prioritises adaptability: spaces can be reconfigured, extended, or even partially dismantled, which challenges the notion of the villa as a static status symbol.
Where?
Dubai
#architecture_uae
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Winged Dragon Called "Stoclet Dragon"
Produced in Northern China, ca. -450 to ca. -250. Bronze. 48.5 x 67 cm.
This sculpture is an exceptional example of monumental animal sculpture from the Chinese pre-imperial period. The work is thought to have originated from Yan Xiadu, the capital of the State of Yan during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), where it may have served as a decorative element in a palace or elite tomb.
While Chinese in its symbolic meaning, this winged dragon is a composite being, combining the hindquarters of a feline, the forequarters of an alligator, the antlers of a stag, and the wings of a bird. Exceptional for its scale and dynamism, it is the largest known freestanding dragon sculpture from this period in Chinese art.
The sculpture’s fame is further linked to its former owner, the Belgian collector Adolphe Stoclet (1871–1949).
Where to see?
Louvre Abu Dhabi
#artpieceofthedayuae
Courtesy of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Photo: Mohamed Somji.
Produced in Northern China, ca. -450 to ca. -250. Bronze. 48.5 x 67 cm.
This sculpture is an exceptional example of monumental animal sculpture from the Chinese pre-imperial period. The work is thought to have originated from Yan Xiadu, the capital of the State of Yan during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), where it may have served as a decorative element in a palace or elite tomb.
While Chinese in its symbolic meaning, this winged dragon is a composite being, combining the hindquarters of a feline, the forequarters of an alligator, the antlers of a stag, and the wings of a bird. Exceptional for its scale and dynamism, it is the largest known freestanding dragon sculpture from this period in Chinese art.
The sculpture’s fame is further linked to its former owner, the Belgian collector Adolphe Stoclet (1871–1949).
Where to see?
Louvre Abu Dhabi
#artpieceofthedayuae
Courtesy of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Photo: Mohamed Somji.
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Invisible Fish by Saif Azzuz
Lawrie Shabibi presents Invisible Fish, an exhibition by Libyan–Yurok artist Saif Azzuz, on view until 3 April 2026. The show is an immersive reflection on water, memory, and ecological change, bringing together diverse art pieces.
Azzuz approaches land and water as living, relational systems. His practice draws attention to the balance between people and the sea, revisiting the cultural and environmental histories of the region before the rise of its urban coastlines. Through his lens, water becomes a shared language of sustenance, migration, and connection across continents.
Lawrie Shabibi presents Invisible Fish, an exhibition by Libyan–Yurok artist Saif Azzuz, on view until 3 April 2026. The show is an immersive reflection on water, memory, and ecological change, bringing together diverse art pieces.
Azzuz approaches land and water as living, relational systems. His practice draws attention to the balance between people and the sea, revisiting the cultural and environmental histories of the region before the rise of its urban coastlines. Through his lens, water becomes a shared language of sustenance, migration, and connection across continents.
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The Sail by Mattar Bin Lahej
This striking sculpture by Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej rises about 5 metres high and takes the shape of a stylised sail, created from intertwined Arabic script. Rather than depicting a literal sailboat form, the work uses Arabic calligraphy as text and structure, turning language into an architectural presence in the public space.
The letters form a quote attributed to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai: “The future will be for those who can imagine, design, and implement; the future does not wait for the future, but it can be designed and built today.”
Where to see?
Address Beach Resort, Dubai
#public_art_uae
This striking sculpture by Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej rises about 5 metres high and takes the shape of a stylised sail, created from intertwined Arabic script. Rather than depicting a literal sailboat form, the work uses Arabic calligraphy as text and structure, turning language into an architectural presence in the public space.
The letters form a quote attributed to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai: “The future will be for those who can imagine, design, and implement; the future does not wait for the future, but it can be designed and built today.”
Where to see?
Address Beach Resort, Dubai
#public_art_uae
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Exploring Art in the Financial District
Dubai’s financial district art cluster today is a self‑contained cultural itinerary that can be easily explored in a single evening without ever leaving DIFC. The area around Gate Village and Gate Avenue is now a dense network of spaces where global blue‑chip art, regional contemporary practices, and an open‑air sculpture park function as a single stage.
In today's article, we are going to tell you about six notable galleries:
1. Perrotin.
2. Opera Gallery Dubai.
3. Sconci Gallery.
4. Christie’s Gallery.
5. Andakulova Gallery.
6. DIFC Sculpture Park.
Dubai’s financial district art cluster today is a self‑contained cultural itinerary that can be easily explored in a single evening without ever leaving DIFC. The area around Gate Village and Gate Avenue is now a dense network of spaces where global blue‑chip art, regional contemporary practices, and an open‑air sculpture park function as a single stage.
In today's article, we are going to tell you about six notable galleries:
1. Perrotin.
2. Opera Gallery Dubai.
3. Sconci Gallery.
4. Christie’s Gallery.
5. Andakulova Gallery.
6. DIFC Sculpture Park.
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The Xposure International Photography and Film Festival 2026
On 29 January, Sharjah will become the photography capital of the region. The Xposure Festival marks its tenth edition, bringing together documentary photographers, artists, and photojournalists from around the world under one programme. For visitors, it is a rare chance to see in a single week how visual storytelling works today, from front‑line reportage to poetic, almost cinematic series.
The event will take place in the new Aljada district in Sharjah and run through 4 February 2026.
On 29 January, Sharjah will become the photography capital of the region. The Xposure Festival marks its tenth edition, bringing together documentary photographers, artists, and photojournalists from around the world under one programme. For visitors, it is a rare chance to see in a single week how visual storytelling works today, from front‑line reportage to poetic, almost cinematic series.
The event will take place in the new Aljada district in Sharjah and run through 4 February 2026.
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Self‑portrait with a cat I don’t have
“Self‑portrait with a cat I don’t have” is Syrian-French artist Bady Dalloul’s solo exhibition, on view at Jameel Arts Centre until 22 February 2026. It proposes a self‑portrait that is more about narrative construction, where invented details, gaps, and misremembered episodes form an alternative, speculative biography.
The “cat I don’t have” is as a metaphor for all that is absent yet structuring: the missing objects, people, and timelines that nonetheless shape how an artist is perceived and how they perceive themselves. Through this lens, Dalloul’s work opens onto questions of collective memory, suggesting that the self is inseparable from broader histories of migration, displacement, and representation.
“Self‑portrait with a cat I don’t have” is Syrian-French artist Bady Dalloul’s solo exhibition, on view at Jameel Arts Centre until 22 February 2026. It proposes a self‑portrait that is more about narrative construction, where invented details, gaps, and misremembered episodes form an alternative, speculative biography.
The “cat I don’t have” is as a metaphor for all that is absent yet structuring: the missing objects, people, and timelines that nonetheless shape how an artist is perceived and how they perceive themselves. Through this lens, Dalloul’s work opens onto questions of collective memory, suggesting that the self is inseparable from broader histories of migration, displacement, and representation.
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Hybrid Vistas Collective Exhibition
NIKA Project Space presents Hybrid Vistas, an exhibition featuring five artists: Adel Abidin, Daniele Genadry, Ali Kaeini, Katya Muromtseva, and Melissa Rios. On display until 7 February 2026, the show re-examines landscape in contemporary art, where nature is no longer depicted as a stable, familiar scene but is reconstructed through technology, memory, perception, and hybrid forms of experience.
NIKA Project Space presents Hybrid Vistas, an exhibition featuring five artists: Adel Abidin, Daniele Genadry, Ali Kaeini, Katya Muromtseva, and Melissa Rios. On display until 7 February 2026, the show re-examines landscape in contemporary art, where nature is no longer depicted as a stable, familiar scene but is reconstructed through technology, memory, perception, and hybrid forms of experience.
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