Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Sets Opening Date After 20-Year Delay
After two decades filled with setbacks and debates, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation has announced that its museum, created by Frank Gehry, is set to open on December 11 in Abu Dhabi. This new venue will feature 30 galleries and is located in a cultural area on Saadiyat Island, sharing space with institutions like the Zayed National Museum and Berklee Abu Dhabi. Mariët Westermann, the Guggenheim's Director and CEO, stated that the collection is a blend of "uniquely local and global" art, showcasing works from all over the world and highlighting artistic experimentation since 1960. Meanwhile, the Gulf Labor Coalition has renewed its criticism regarding labor issues tied to the museum's construction, with Co-Founder Andrew Ross noting ongoing unresolved concerns. The Guggenheim has not yet commented on this.
Key facts
- The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation will open its Abu Dhabi museum on December 11.
- The museum is designed by Frank Gehry and has 30 galleries.
- It will join seven other cultural institutions on Saadiyat Island, including the Zayed National Museum and Berklee Abu Dhabi.
- Guggenheim Director and CEO Mariët Westermann described the collection as 'uniquely local and global'.
- The museum will showcase art since 1960, including abstractions, storytelling, painting, and moving images.
- The Gulf Labor Coalition has been campaigning for 16 years over alleged labor abuses and violations of labor laws.
- In 2015, Gulf Ultra Luxury Faction (G.U.L.F.) staged occupations at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.
- GLC Co-Founder Andrew Ross said that 'none of the initial reasons for this action have been adequately resolved over the years.'
Entities
Artists
- Frank Gehry
- Zaha Hadid
- Tadao Ando
- Anish Kapoor
- Shiraga Kazuo
- Tanaka Atsuko
- Niki de Saint Phalle
- Günther Uecker
- Susan Hefuna
- Valerie Hillings
- Yayoi Kusama
- Rachid Koraïchi
- Robert Irwin
- Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian
- Douglas Wheeler
- Jean Nouvel
- David Adjaye
Institutions
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Zayed National Museum
- Berklee Abu Dhabi
- Gulf Labor Coalition
- Gulf Ultra Luxury Faction
- Guggenheim Museum
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection
- Guggenheim Foundation
- Tourism Development Investment Corporation (TDIC)
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- British Museum
- Zaha Hadid Architects
- Artribune
- Manarat Al Saadiyat
- Saadiyat Cultural District
- Dezeen
- Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
- Foster + Partners
- Abrahamic Family House
- Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi
- Wallpaper*
- Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Saadiyat Island
- New York
- Venice
- Italy
- Persian Gulf
- Middle East
- Bilbao
- Spain
- Brooklyn
Sources
- Hyperallergic —
- Wallpaper Design —
- Dezeen —
- Artribune —
- Artribune —