Latest news with #culturaldistrict
UAE Moments
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Louvre & Guggenheim Are Just a Walk Apart in This Art Hub
Until now, visiting both the Louvre and the Guggenheim in a single day meant hopping between countries. But by the end of this year, you'll be able to stroll between them on foot, no borders, no flights, thanks to Abu Dhabi's ambitious cultural district on Saadiyat Island. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! This long-awaited hub brings together some of the world's most iconic cultural institutions in one place. Alongside the Louvre and Guggenheim, the district will also house the stunning Natural History Museum, an interactive teamLab digital art space, and the Zayed National Museum, among others. A Cultural Cluster Like No Other 'Plenty of cities have great museums, and many have been around much longer than ours,' says Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. 'But what makes this special is how close everything is... you can walk between them all.' Spread across 2.43 square kilometres and designed by award-winning architects like Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry, and Norman Foster, the district is one of the largest cultural investments ever. Visitors can explore its museums via shaded, nature-inspired 'cool paths,' designed to make walking enjoyable even in Abu Dhabi's warm climate. Top Sights in Saadiyat Cultural District Here's a guide to what you can experience: Louvre Abu Dhabi Opened in 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi brings together art from all over the world, under Jean Nouvel's iconic dome, a masterpiece of light and shadow inspired by Islamic architecture. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Expected to open by late 2025, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will showcase contemporary art from the 1960s to today, with a focus on West Asian, North African, and South Asian artists. The building itself, designed by Frank Gehry, is a work of art. Zayed National Museum Dedicated to the UAE's history and its founding father, Sheikh Zayed, this museum will feature galleries exploring everything from Bedouin traditions to the nation's rise as a global hub. It's set to open in late 2025. Natural History Museum Scheduled to open later this year, this science-focused museum will feature a T. rex fossil, ancient meteorites, and exhibits telling the story of the universe. At 35,000 square metres, it's the largest of its kind in the region. teamLab Phenomena This immersive art experience is already open, offering 25 digital installations that play with water, light, and sound a mesmerising mix of art and technology. More to Explore on Saadiyat Island Beyond its museums, Saadiyat Island is full of experiences worth checking out: Mamsha Al Saadiyat: A vibrant promenade lined with restaurants and cafés, perfect for waterfront dining. Soul Beach & Saadiyat Beach Clubs: Relax on pristine white sand or book a day at one of the island's upscale beach clubs. Bassam Freiha Art Foundation: A private collection of art open to the public for free. Abrahamic Family House: An interfaith site featuring a mosque, church, and synagogue, symbolising harmony and coexistence. Manarat Al Saadiyat: An arts centre hosting exhibitions, events, and workshops. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club: A scenic course where Arabian gazelles sometimes wander across the greens. Berklee Abu Dhabi: A hub for music, dance, and theatre with regular performances and programs. Why Saadiyat Stands Out Despite some challenges including concerns about labour conditions and debates over artistic freedom, the district is shaping up to rival cultural destinations like Berlin's Museum Island and Hong Kong's West Kowloon. With more than 1.7 million square feet of museum space and a world-class lineup of attractions, Saadiyat Cultural District is positioning Abu Dhabi as a global arts and culture hotspot. By the end of this year, you can ditch the flights and simply walk between the Louvre and the Guggenheim... All under the Abu Dhabi sun, in one incredible setting.
CNN
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
You can walk between the Louvre and the Guggenheim in this new art district
Right now, if you'd like to visit the Louvre and the Guggenheim in one day, you'd need to cross international borders. But with Abu Dhabi's long-awaited cultural district on Saadiyat Island nearing completion, by the end of the year, you'll be able to walk between them. The new cultural district will feature international outposts of the world-famous Louvre and Guggenheim museums, along with other institutions, including an immersive digital art space from teamLab and a natural history museum. 'Many places around the world have fantastic cultural institutions; many of them are much older than these. But I think the proximity of all of them is what makes this quite special,' says Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi. The project is piloting a network of 'cool paths,' which implement nature-based shading techniques, to allow visitors to navigate between the museums and cultural sites on foot, says Al Mubarak. The multi-billion-dollar, 2.43 square kilometer museum complex is one of the largest cultural investments of its kind in the world, and its design — by 'starchitects' like Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry, and Norman Foster — is expected to be as much of an attraction as its artworks. Dr Peter Magee, director of the Zayed National Museum, currently under construction, describes the district as 'a constellation of stars' illuminating the region's history, culture, and art. The project broke ground in the mid-2000s and has not been without controversy. Human Rights Watch raised concerns about conditions for migrant workers, which were refuted by Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), which was overseeing the project. Others have questioned whether the Unites Arab Emirates' censorship laws are aligned with the values of the Louvre and Guggenheim. But Abu Dhabi will be hoping the complex, which will have more than 1.7 million square feet of space across its five main institutions, will become a world-renowned tourist destination in the same way as Hong Kong's 98-acre (40-hectare) West Kowloon Cultural District and Berlin's 21-acre (8.6-hectare) 'Museum Island.' As several of the museums prepare to open later this year, take a look at what to do in Saadiyat Cultural District. Abu Dhabi's science-focused museum explores the 13.8-billion-year story of our universe, complete with a research center. When it opens later this year, the 35,000-square-meter (377,000-square-foot) museum will be the largest of its kind in the region. Its star attraction is Stan, the world's most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, which was purchased for $31.8 million in 2020. The 67-million-year-old fossil will be on display alongside the Murchison meteorite, which crash-landed in Australia in the 1960s and contains organic compounds never identified on Earth, as well as 'pre-solar grains' formed before our own sun, and to date, the oldest material discovered on Earth. Named after the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, this Foster + Partners-designed museum will showcase Emirati history and culture through six permanent indoor galleries. Opening late 2025, visitors can expect to journey through 300,000 years of local and regional history, including the evolution of the nation's unique desert landscape, the settlement of Bedouin ancestors, and the role of the UAE as a global trading hub. Opened in 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first international outpost of the iconic French museum. Its 23 galleries showcase a range of works, from Ancient Egyptian sculptures to Italian Renaissance masterpieces to 20th-century abstract paintings. The collection includes a number of works of regional significance, too, including a 3,000-year-old Middle Eastern gold bracelet, and the oldest known photograph of a woman wearing a veil. The museum — designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel — has become an Abu Dhabi icon, with a domed roof and geometric patterns inspired by elements common in Islamic architecture. First opened in New York in 1959 in a groundbreaking building by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum now has outposts in Bilbao and Venice, and very soon, Abu Dhabi. The collection of contemporary art will be housed in an experimental building designed by American architect Frank Gehry, and construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Focused on work produced since the 1960s, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will particularly highlight West Asian, North African and South Asian art and commission original works for its expansive galleries. Prev Next Japanese art collective teamLab opened its first immersive digital art experience in the UAE earlier this year with teamLab Phenomena in Saadiyat Cultural District. Designed in collaboration with Abu Dhabi firm MZ Architects, the 17,000-square-meter (183,000-square-foot) cloud-like building is teamLab's largest location to date and features 25 installations that blend science, art, and technology. For example, 'Floating Microcosms,' an exhibit in the 'wet' area of the museum, features unanchored ovoid sculptures in ankle-deep water. As visitors wade through the water, the waves ripple out, toppling the sculptures and changing their sound and color, creating tactile, unique experiences. Prev Next Abrahamic Family House: Designed by Ghanaian British architect David Adjaye, this interfaith center features a mosque, church and synagogue on one site, as a symbol of peaceful coexistence and a celebration of diversity. Bassam Freiha Art Foundation: The only private art foundation in Saadityat Cultural District, this non-profit gallery offers free entry to view the artworks accrued by its founder, art patron Bassam Said Freiha, who has collected for the past 50 years. Dine at Mamsha Al Saadiyat: This beachfront pedestrian promenade is bursting with cafés and restaurants, including the Bib Gourmand awarded Beirut Sur Mer; Niri, a sushi and highball bar listed as one of the Middle East's 50 Best Restaurants; and Emirati coffee specialists Coffee Architecture. Soul Beach: Also known as Mamsha Beach, this stretch of powdery white sand and turquoise water is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. As with most beaches in the UAE, visitors have to pay for a day pass, starting from AED 125 ($34) for adults. Beach clubs: Just along the coast from Soul Beach, Saadiyat Beach is littered with beach clubs. The expansive Saadiyat Beach Club has day passes starting from AED 225 ($61), and the Rixos Hotel offers a luxurious all-inclusive day package (AED 695, $189). Kai Beach Club provides a more affordable option, starting from AED 150 ($41), while the Buddha-Bar Beach at The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort offers beach access in its classic weekend brunch. Manarat Al Saadiyat: A dynamic arts center hosting exhibitions, workshops and events, including film screenings, comedy nights, and the annual Abu Dhabi Art Fair. Berklee Abu Dhabi: In addition to its education programs, the first Middle East location for the Massachusetts-based institute of contemporary music, dance and theater also hosts public performances. The building, designed by Foster + Partners, initially served as the UAE's pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China, and was relocated to the cultural district when the event concluded. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club: Designed by champion golfer Gary Player, this scenic beachfront course has views across the Arabian Gulf, incorporating saltwater lakes and beach dunes. Additional reporting by Kayla Smith, CNN.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Historic South L.A. Black Cultural District Designation Moving Forward
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 26, 2024 - - Ngozi wears the appropriate Kwanzaa wear and a smile at the 48th edition of the Kwanzaa parade to mark the start of the seven-day African-American festival in the Crenshaw District in Los Angeles on December 26, 2024. The Kwanzaa Gwaride started at Adams and Crenshaw boulevards and headed south on Crenshaw Boulevard for two miles to Leimert Park, where a festival was held from 1 to 5 p.m. Organizers say that this parade in Los Angeles is the world's oldest Kwanzaa parade. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Attention Editor: Ngozi only goes by her first name. California has 14 officially designated cultural districts. None of them recognize Black culture. State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas wants to change that. Her district includes South Los Angeles, commonly known as South Central. On June 19th, in recognition of the Juneteenth national holiday of Black freedom, she will annouce her continuing efforts at establishing the Historic South L.A. Black Cultural District in partnership with LA Commons, a South L.A.-based nonprofit arts and cultural organization. The proposed cultural district would be bordered by Adams Boulevard to the north, Manchester Boulevard to the South, Central Avenue to the east, and La Brea Avenue to the West. Smallwood-Cuevas has obtained $3 million in state funding for the City of Los Angeles to support the project. These funds will go toward the installation of yet to be determined cultural markers and monuments throughout the district, celebrating South L.A.'s historic Black assets–Crenshaw Corridor, Leimert Park, Historic Central Avenue–and reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Black cultural identity in California. Formal recognition as a cultural district is a vital step toward addressing historic inequities and ensuring cultural treasures are protected and celebrated. South L.A. is home to the highest concentration of Black cultural assets in California, including museums, local businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues. Lula Washington Dance Theater, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Dulan's on Crenshaw soul food restaurant, Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, Nipsey Hustle Square. South L.A. also hosts the largest middle-class Black community in the country. How many people know that about an area more often than not characterized in American mass media and popular culture for gang violence? That's the popular story. It's not the complete story. 'Our work in general is all about story, community stories,' L.A. Commons founder and Executive Director Karen Mack told 'Our perspective on this cultural district is that its value is in uplifting the amazing stories of Black people throughout the history of Los Angeles.' How many people know that among the 44 Mexican settlers who founded Los Angeles in 1781, 26 were of African descent? L.A. was founded by Black people. 'That is the beginning of the story, and it just gets more amazing from there,' Mack said. 'Black people have contributed so much to the history of Los Angeles, and we've got a (presidential) administration trying to erase the contributions of Black people.' Along with the environment, arts and culture, health care, foreign aid, trans rights, voting rights, civil rights, public education, and higher education, the Trump Administration has made assaulting, defaming, and defunding Black History a high priority. The Trump administration has attempted to discredit Jackie Robinson's military service, expunge Harriett Tubman from official government histories of the Underground Railroad, and remove dozens of books by Black authors from the U.S. Naval Academy. 'At a time when truth is up for grabs, the truth is in us, the opportunity to listen to each other's stories where that truth resides so that we feel more grounded in the reality our existence,' Mack explained. 'We are in an existential time, and it is through those connections that we can feel a sense of comfort.' In an effort to find the truth about South L.A. through listening, and envision shaping a future where Black culture is centered in how Los Angeles grows and tells its story, LA Commons hosted a series of story summits over the past year-plus, engaging the community to share stories about South L.A. and what they think is important to uplift. Key themes from the story summits included showcasing historical significance, celebrating cultural identity, recognizing social challenges and triumphs, and manifesting visions for the future. The findings have likewise been released today in coordination with Smallwood-Cuevas' announcement. The report will help guide the design, emphasis, and funding for the proposed cultural district. 'One of the challenges of our time is how we create a stronger sense of belonging, because that is really the foundation for strong neighborhoods and a functioning society,' Mack said. 'When people get beyond the caricatures and the stereotypes to really hear people's authentic stories, that is when they start to feel that connection because we're all human, we all have similar experiences, and the beauty of every life is compelling.' LA Commons' mission is creating a shared understanding of Los Angeles. That's challenging for a metro area covering over 500 square miles, 90 distinct municipalities, and nearly 20 million people across mountains, beach, extreme wealth, and Skid Row. Black, white, Mexican, Latino, Indigenous, Korean, Palestinian. You name it. Los Angeles' two existing cultural districts are Little Tokyo and Chinatown. The California Arts Council will be adopting 10 more cultural districts this fall and has recognized its shortcomings in honoring places of significance to African Americans. Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks. As momentum for the Cultural District grows, LA Commons, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, continues to lead and foster community connection through its annual signature event, Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks. Taking place on Sunday, June 29th in Leimert Park, this vibrant celebration of African diaspora culture through art, performance, ritual, and a sacred procession will welcome a special appearance by Smallwood-Cuevas, reinforcing the district's significance and inviting the public to take part in this celebratory movement. The event began in 2010 when a neighborhood leader from Nigeria, Najite Agindotan, presented an idea to the community for recognizing ancestors. 'The African worldview tends to not see separation between the dead and the living, and so (the Festival) is to facilitate that connection,' Mack explained. LA Commons helped found the celebration. This year, seven ancestors will be honored, up from the traditional five, allowing space for loved ones from Altadena who died in the wildfires there earlier in 2025. Altadena's 20 miles northeast of Leimert Park and also features a large Black artist community. Alonzo Davis, a beloved South L.A. cultural leader who along with his brother, Dale, opened Brockman Gallery in Leimert Park in 1967, will also be among the recognized with a huge mask walked in a large procession accompanied by performers and musicians. In the summer of 2026, Inglewood's SoFi Stadium will host men's World Cup matches. In 2027, it will host the Super Bowl. Again. In 2028, Summer Olympics events will be held at the venue bordering South L.A. That's in addition to its regular schedule of major sporting events and concerts, and crowds brought in by the adjacent Hollywood Park mega-development and Intuit Dome. South L.A. wants to capitalize on being positioned as a gateway to these attractions. The proposed cultural district is one way it's doing so, but that's not the only way. Destination Crenshaw is a 'reparative development project and will be the largest Black public art project in the U.S.' Playgrounds, parks, more than 100 artworks by Black artists with ties to LA, beautification, business development. The project's centerpiece, Sankofa Park, is a 1.3 mile, open air, arts, culture, and Black history museum positioned along the Crenshaw/LAX airport light rail K Line that has and will take millions of Angelenos and tourists to and from LAX airport into town via Crenshaw Boulevard–the heart of South L.A. and the proposed cultural district. Sankofa is a word of West African origin relating to going back when moving forward. Returning to roots when planning for the future. In May of 2025, L.A. Metro opened the Rail to Rail Active Transportation Corridor, a 5.5-mile multi-modal path and green space in South L.A. The path repurposed unused and blighted railroad tracks to connect the communities serviced by the Metro K Line, the Metro J Line, and the Metro A Line Slauson Station via biking and walking paths. Beginning at the intersection of 67th Street and 11th Avenue near the Metro K Line Fairview Heights Station, the path moves east to its current terminus at Slauson Station on the Metro A Line. The $166-million project marks an investment in the communities in and around South L.A. and injects new life and vibrancy into a historically disadvantaged area. Shepard Fairey mural at Manual Arts Senior High School in South Los Angeles produced in partnership with Branded Arts and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Visitors and residents will even notice two recently spruced up South L.A. high schools. Nationwide artistic services company Branded Arts partnered with the Los Angeles Unified School District to bring week-long art festivals to Manual Arts Senior High School and Augustus F. Hawkins High School in May 2025. The festivals invited leading contemporary artists from around the nation to mentor students, provide career advice, and make art. Among the artworks, enormous murals gracing the schools, further distinguishing South L.A. as one of America's most robust cultural communities.
Travel Daily News
06-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Nobu Hospitality brings luxury lifestyle to Kraków
Nobu Hospitality expands to Kraków with a luxury hotel, residences, and cultural district, marking its first residential project in Eastern Europe. NEW YORK – Nobu Hospitality, the globally renowned luxury lifestyle brand, announces its latest expansion with the Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in Kraków, Poland. Located just steps from the city's historic Old Town, this landmark is being developed in partnership with SAO Investments, Poland's premier luxury real estate designer and investor with a commitment to excellence and innovation that aligns perfectly with Nobu's philosophy, setting a new benchmark in world-class hospitality, cultural engagement and elevated residential living. Marking Nobu's second venture in Poland following the success of Nobu Hotel Warsaw, which opened in 2020, Nobu Kraków is set to become a dynamic cultural hub for visitors and locals alike. Seamlessly blending culinary excellence, sophisticated design and authentic experiences, the project reflects Kraków's rich heritage and artistic spirit. In addition to the 100 luxurious yet understated accommodations, the development will debut Nobu's first-ever cultural district – a dynamic city within a city. This immersive hub will feature a theatre stage, cinema hall, recording studio, co-working area, and an art gallery designed to showcase both globally renowned and emerging local artists. Guests will also have access to a rooftop swimming pool with state-of-the-art fitness center and a signature Nobu restaurant, serving Chef Nobu's most iconic cuisine. Marking the brand's first residential project in Eastern Europe, the development will boast 80 Nobu Residences, reinforcing its presence in the luxury real estate sphere. Providing an exclusive opportunity to become part of the Nobu community in the heart of one of Poland's oldest and most visited cities, each residence will offer a refined living experience with purposeful design, elevated amenities, including Nobu priority reservations, and unparalleled access to the cultural collective and surrounding area through a dedicated experience team. 'The Nobu district in Krakow – genuinely a city within a city – marks a groundbreaking development and a pivotal achievement for Nobu in redefining modern urbanism as we embark on branding communities within a fresh framework.' said Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality. 'As we transform cities, we now embark on a new journey with Nobu—one that promises to create a groundbreaking cultural epicenter. A global hub of art, culture, hospitality, and design. With our unwavering commitment to beauty, creativity, and innovation, this project will inspire and educate, combining the best of art, architecture, and urban living to build a responsible, vibrant community that reflects the dynamic spirit of SAO and Nobu.' said Grzegorz Skawinski, SAO Investments Co-Founder.
