Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism has once again curated an extensive public art experience, the second of its kind, focusing on captivating light-infused sculptures, installations, and projections. Titled "The Light Compass" for its 2025-26 iteration, this ambitious event is spearheaded by a curatorial team of four, including artistic director Khai Hori from Singapore, alongside UAE-based curators Alia Zaal Lootah, Munira Al Sayegh, and Mariam Alshehhi.
The exhibition brings together the works of fifteen distinguished artists, both local and international, transforming prominent locations within Abu Dhabi, such as Jubail Island and Souq Al Mina, as well as historical sites in Al Ain, including Al Qattara Oasis and Al Jimi Oasis, into vibrant showcases of illuminated art. This year's program builds upon the success of the inaugural Manar Abu Dhabi exhibition, "Grounding Light," which previously featured 35 artworks from notable artists and collectives including Carsten Höller, Samia Halaby, teamLab, Shezad Dawood, and Shilpa Gupta.
Jubail Island, a developing residential area near Saadiyat Island and a key component of Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030, serves as the primary venue for many of this year's artistic contributions. Among them are installations by the artistic duo DRIFT, presenting "Unfold," a majestic domed structure that projects a blooming flower image based on visitor biometric data, and "Wind of Change," a mesmerizing drone performance inspired by the ebb and flow of tidal rhythms and wind patterns. Also featured is Shaikha Al Mazrou's "Contingent Object," a striking 30-meter circular artwork embedded with salt crystals that emanates a soft glow after dusk.
At Souq Al Mina, visitors can encounter KAWS's iconic "Companion" figure, specifically the "HOLIDAY Abu Dhabi" iteration. This colossal figure, stretching over 100 feet, is depicted reclining on a pier, gently cradling a luminous, moon-like orb. Additionally, the city of Al Ain will host seven bespoke, site-specific art pieces, including creations by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Ammar Al Attar, and Christian Brinkmann. "The Light Compass" promises an immersive and radiant experience, illuminating the cultural landscape of Abu Dhabi until its conclusion on January 4, 2026.
This year's Manar Abu Dhabi exhibition, themed "The Light Compass," offers a dazzling array of light-based art, inviting audiences to explore the transformative power of illumination through the works of acclaimed artists. From the intricate biometric-reactive installations of DRIFT to KAWS's monumental public sculpture, the event reinforces Abu Dhabi's commitment to fostering a dynamic and accessible arts scene.
