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Abu Dhabi / WAM
Louvre Abu Dhabi has welcomed 30,000 visitors, 227 artists and performers and numerous VIPs and official visits during its opening celebrations. The museum was opened to the public on
November 11.
“Welcoming thousands of visitors to Louvre Abu Dhabi during the opening week has been an honour,” said Manuel Rabate, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi. “Walking under the dome and seeing the rain of light for the first time is an awe-inspiring
experience, and a dramatic
backdrop for the multicultural performances and concerts. Louvre Abu Dhabi’s opening week has been characterised by a truly joyful, creative atmosphere, which has inspired Abu Dhabi’s residents and visitors.”
In total the museum presented 25 events by 227 artists across four days of public performances, including choreography by Lucinda Childs and Lemi Ponifasio; traditional Emirati Al Ayaala, Chinese and Dogon parades; a music video montage of found TV footage by Emirati artist Hind Mezaina; and other multicultural music, dance and art performances.
Residents, tourists and delegations visited Louvre Abu Dhabi throughout the opening week, exploring its universal collections and architecture for the first time. Around 1 million people visited Louvre Abu Dhabi’s website during the week, and the museum
registered more than 1,100 new members of its Art Club
membership programme.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is an independent institution, which was born out of an intergovernmental agreement between Abu Dhabi and France in 2007.
The agreement includes using Musée du Louvre’s name for 30 years and 6 months, temporary exhibitions for 15 years, and loans of artworks for 10 years.
The museum’s total developed area is 97,000 square
metres and forms a ‘museum city’ surrounded by water. Visitors can walk the promenade overlooking the sea beneath the
museum’s 180-metre dome, experiencing the enchanting ‘rain of light,’ a cinematic geometric effect inspired by the shadows of overlapping palm trees in the UAE’s oases.
