Abu Dhabi: A 600-metre-long artwork on a wall was unveiled in Abu Dhabi’s Al Raha Beach on Monday, making it the city’s biggest mural.
The wall which showcases the Emirati traditions and culture was unveiled by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, in the presence of Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, chief executive officer at Aldar Properties PJSC.
Located between Al Raha Mall and Al Bandar area, the art piece, which took five weeks to complete and highlights Emirati traditions such as falconry, was created in collaboration with a Miami-based artist, Evoca.
Speaking to Gulf News during a walk around the wall, Shaikh Nahyan said, “This mural reflects our traditions and our way of life … It’s good to have our heritage on the wall for everyone to see.”
Shaikh Nahyan added the art piece was also a fantastic way of beautifying the city and bringing plain structures to life.
The art is one of the first pieces of its kind to be showcased across Aldar’s key developments. Speaking to Gulf News about the significance of its location, the Aldar CEO said, “This is on the entry of Abu Dhabi or on the exit of Abu Dhabi, so the commuters coming from the airport, coming from Dubai can see this beautiful mural while they are coming here, which really emphasises our culture and our heritage. And it really shows you what Emiratis are all about.”
Al Mubarak added that the mural is one of the largest in the UAE and part of their efforts to bring fantastic art to Abu Dhabi for the masses to look at.
“The concept of art has always been part of our DNA. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces) has always emphasised the importance of arts in everything we do. Whether it is a small development or a large development, our way of life in schools and that emphasis has been shown today. His artistic strategy started a long time ago and we are seeing the fruits of that strategy come to life. Whether it is the museums, the local museums, arts in schools, Art Abu Dhabi, this is a continuation of our strategy.”
