Louvre Abu Dhabi announces contemporary commissions

Louvre Abu Dhabi has commissioned two internationally acclaimed artists to create site-specific artworks that will be displayed in the museum at its opening in 2017. Jean Nouvel’s ‘Museum City’, with its streets, plazas and waterways, will feature artworks exhibited both inside and outside the galleries.

Giuseppe Penone and Jenny Holzer have worked closely with the Louvre Abu Dhabi team to develop sculptures and installations reflecting the universal stories of the museum in harmony with the iconic building. These are the first of a number of commissions for Louvre Abu Dhabi which will, through a diversity of artists, reflect the universal nature of the museum.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, said, "In line with Louvre Abu Dhabi’s ambition to reflect the universal nature of art making, we have commissioned contemporary works by the internationally renowned artists, Giuseppe Penone and Jenny Holzer. The artists’ works are inspired by the museum’s iconic architecture and diverse stories and play an important role in connecting the cultures and civilisations of our past with the relevant ongoing conversations and artistic practices of today."

Giuseppe Penone said, "The artworks that I have developed for Louvre Abu Dhabi aim to inscribe themselves in the place, underscoring aspects of its architectural form and content. The pieces that make up 'Germination' echo the museum’s universal spirit."

Through exceptional collaboration with the workshops of Sevres - Cite de la Ceramique, the French national ceramics museum, Penone has created several works, including 'Propagation', a wall of porcelain tiles representing concentric circles drawn by hands. The lines of the drawing germinate from Sheikh Zayed’s fingerprint to show how a simple action can create an infinite space.

Jenny Holzer commented, "It's delightful to work on this significant new museum. Louvre Abu Dhabi set an ambitious agenda for itself, and raises lively questions about museums and civilisations. It’s a privilege and a challenge to realise an installation that joins Jean Nouvel's architecture and that speaks with the fantastic works the museum will display. I made my walls in close relation to Jean Nouvel's building, which I saw as an ideal archaic village under a most beautiful futuristic sky dome."

Works from the permanent collection will be displayed alongside these commissions in the outdoor areas of the museum. Recreating the atmosphere of an Islamic courtyard, an Ottoman octagonal fountain and pavement, from 18th Century, Damascus, will be integrated in a contemporary scenography, flooded with light.

As part of the 'Louvre Abu Dhabi: Talking Art' series, a talk with Giuseppe Penone, "Creativity and Commissions" will be held on Thursday, November 17th, from 16:00 – 17:00, during Abu Dhabi Art. The talk will be moderated by Jean-Francois Charnier, Scientific Director of Agence France-Museums.