Stu and I travelled to Abu Dhabi this week to visit “The Guggenheim: The Making of a Museum” exhibition at the Emirates Palace hotel. Stu had initially expressed an interest in going, especially as some masterpieces from the Guggenheim collection were to be on display. We suddenly realised this past weekend that we had almost run out of time as the show was only on until the 4th February. So we decided to go on Tuesday this week.
The drive to Abu Dhabi was thankfully uneventful; it manages to be nerve-wracking (other people’s driving) and boring (a long straight road) at the same time somehow. I don’t know how people commute that way everyday. We finally arrived at the hotel just before lunch-time. Actually we got into Abu Dhabi in good time, but then my poor choice of route took us right into the worst of the traffic and we took a while longer getting down to the Corniche. Let’s just say that I wasn’t too popular. Oh dear..
Incidentally the hotel is worth a visit on it’s own merits, it is truly lovely. Part of the Kempinski Hotel group (like the one at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai) it is a stunningly opulent-looking place. A gigantic fountain is the first thing you see as you drive up from the street, palm trees (and tourists taking photos) everywhere you look. Inside it doesn’t disappoint either with gold finishes, lush carpeting and that hushed, muted feeling that you get in these swanky places. There was even a lady playing the harp, live, for the benefit of the lunch-time diners and coffee drinkers!
We found our way down to Gallery One where the show was being held, only to be stopped at the door by a security guard who informed us that Stu would not be able to enter as Tuesday was “Ladies only”. To say that this was not good news would be to severely understate the impact. So that it was not a completely wasted trip I went in on my own, after telling the lady on the desk at the entrance that this little titbit should be on the website surely, in red, and bold font with flashing lights. I had a quick wander round, but all the excitement had gone out of it really by then. I did happen to notice about eight, yes eight, MALE security guards inside the gallery, so not sure what the point of all that is.
The only “art” Stu got to see was this sculpture …
Anyway, whilst I was whizzing around the art Stu wandered off and found another display in the cultural section, this one was all about Saadiyat Island (or Island of Happiness), a new development planned in Abu Dhabi.
In its essence, Saadiyat is a multi-faceted island destination offering a great variety of attractions to many different people. A buzzing business hub for international commerce; a relaxed waterfront home for residents; a cultural magnet for arts aficionados; the home of dazzling architectural icons; a pristine beachfront tourism destination and a focal point for compelling sporting experiences, such as the Gulf’s only tidal and ocean golf courses. It will also be the only place in the world to house architecture designed by five individual Pritzker prize winners. Saadiyat Island will be an irresistible magnet attracting the world to Abu Dhabi – and taking Abu Dhabi to the world.
From Saadiyat Island
Part of this development is a Cultural District which will include a maritime museum, The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a performing arts centre, all placed along the waterfront. The completion dates on most of these appear to be 2013.
 |
 |
 |
 |
