Abu Dhabi announces grand opening of teamLab Phenomena
Abu Dhabi has announced the official opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, a new cultural landmark in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District. Spanning 17,000 sq m the purpose-built venue features transformative artworks unique to Abu Dhabi.
The grand opening ceremony for the transformative multi-sensory art experience and new cultural landmark was led by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
A key highlight of the event was a special performance featuring renowned Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi. Set against the architectural marvel of the venue, the score was paired with a dramatic display of 6,000 synchronised drones and pyrotechnics, curated to celebrate the new milestone of Saadiyat Cultural District.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said: "teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a groundbreaking cultural landmark that redefines immersive art experiences on a global scale. It embodies a bold vision that pushes the boundaries of creativity, technology, and human perception, offering visitors an experience unlike any other."
"Together with our partner, teamLab, we take great pride in bringing this pioneering concept to life, reinforcing our commitment to shaping world-class experiences that inspire, engage, and contribute to Abu Dhabi's cultural legacy," he stated.
"Saadiyat Cultural District is a cultural landmark of global significance, bringing together the world's greatest minds and institutions to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and shape a more connected future," he added.
Established in 2001, teamLab is a Tokyo-based, international art collective that is committed to exploring the confluence of art, science, technology, and the natural world.
The architecture of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, which was conceptualised and designed by teamLab Architects and realised by Abu Dhabi-based MZ Architects, will play an important role in providing the artworks with an environment to evolve freely and organically.
The museum has been designed to inspire 'infinite curiosity', trigger the senses, spark imagination and awaken a thirst for knowledge.
The design of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, intended to be an organic integration of art and architecture, offers visitors an immersive experience where the physical space and the digital artworks interact seamlessly.
"The architecture is designed to fluidly guide visitors through a transformative journey, enhancing their engagement with the art. This integration allows the artwork to extend beyond traditional boundaries, with installations that respond to and are altered by the visitors' movements," said a spokesman for DCT – Abu Dhabi.
This dynamic interaction fosters a unique and personal experience for each visitor, reflecting teamLab's philosophy that the art evolves and changes continuously, he stated.
Integrating advanced technology with architecture presents technical and maintenance complexities, requiring specialised skills for installation and long-term care.
The design also takes into account rapid technological advancements, ensuring that the infrastructure can adapt to future innovations without extensive overhauls.
"The 17,000-sq-m space is envisioned as an "organic space" where art and architecture seamlessly blend with cutting-edge technology. Unlike a traditional museum with a container-like structure housing exhibits, teamLab Phenomena itself becomes the canvas for the art," said the spokesman.
The architecture wraps around the experience, providing a dynamic environment for the ever-evolving digital artworks, he added.
The launch event articulated the connection between art, technology and imagination. The Music of Ludovico Einaudi intersected with the artistic light installations that emerged from teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and rose to the sky.
Toshiyuki Inoko, Founder of teamLab, said: "The artworks in teamLab Phenomena do not exist independently but are created by the environment which produces the various phenomena that creates the artworks. Objects such as stones and man-made creations maintain a stable structure
independently."
"A stone, for instance, will remain unchanged even if placed in a sealed box, isolated from the outside world. In contrast, a vortex in the ocean will vanish in an instant if removed from its environment. Unlike a stone, a vortex does not sustain itself; it evolves with the surrounding currents, formed by water flowing continuously from the outside to the inside and from the inside to the outside of the vortex, changing along with the flow," he explained.
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is designed to explore and transcend the limits of guests' imagination. Each artwork within the unique, purpose-built venue will evolve over time through the interplay of light, sound and movement.
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a key addition to Saadiyat Cultural District, which upon completion will be the largest concentration of world-leading cultural and educational institutions.
According to DCT Abu Dhabi, this remarkable district is home to an unparalleled lineup of museums and cultural landmarks, including Louvre Abu Dhabi; the upcoming Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE; Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, featuring a global collection of modern and contemporary art that reflects the diversity of cultures and trends from around the world; and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, telling the story of life on earth and the origins of our universe.
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