9 September 2024

Closing Program: Spring 2024 Exhibitions

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Most exhibitions open with a bang and close with much less fanfare, so 421 is to be commended for marking the end of its current shows – Mona Ayyash: The Clock Doesn’t Care and On a Timeline: 2024 MFA Graduate [ ... ]

Free

LAST CHANCE On a Timeline: 2024 MFA Graduate Show

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Marking the third year of collaboration and an expanded partnership between 421 Arts Campus and NYUAD, the exhibition of work by students completing the two-year Master of Fine Arts in Art and Media at NYUAD showcases research and experimentation by [ ... ]

Free

LAST CHANCE Mona Ayyash: The Clock Doesn’t Care

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

In her first solo exhibition, Mona Ayyash presents a collaborative video piece with a group of actors, dancers, and performance artists, focusing on small body movements. Selected through an open call, the artist’s collaborators committed to a long-term creative process [ ... ]

Free

Uncharted Paths: DocuShorts in Focus

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

An evening of short documentary films from the region, works by artists taking part in Image Nation Abu Dhabi's Arab Film Studios programme: Luminary: dir Nada Jahed Arabic, 9.5 mins A poetic portrait of a blind father who is strongly [ ... ]

Free

Performance Co/Lab

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

An open invitation to all performing artists, creatives, and curious individuals looking to explore movement practices: participants will explore performance exercises such as contact improvisation, breath work, acting warm-ups, games, and techniques. Each session will introduce new and unique exercises [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

On a Timeline: 2024 MFA Graduate Show

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Marking the third year of collaboration and an expanded partnership between 421 Arts Campus and NYUAD, this exhibition of work by students completing the two-year Master of Fine Arts in Art and Media at NYUAD showcases research and experimentation by [ ... ]

Free

Mona Ayyash: The Clock Doesn’t Care

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

For her first solo exhibition, the culmination of the artist's participation in the 2024 cycle of the 421 Artistic Development Program, Ayyash presents a collaborative video piece focusing on small body movements. Created with a group of actors, dancers, and [ ... ]

Free

LAST CHANCE Network Culture

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

This exhibition presents projects by 12 of the participants in 421’s Homebound Residency Program, which ran annually from spring 2020 to fall 2023; it is both a celebration of the work produced during the programme and an acknowledgement of the [ ... ]

Free

LAST CHANCE Hana El-Sagini: Counting Fingers

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A solo exhibition that presents a newly commissioned large-scale installation rooted in the instability and fragility of the human experience — more than 200 fantastical ceramic objects arranged as surreal sculptures and structures that replicate and reimagine healthcare spaces, such [ ... ]

Free

Writers’ Suhoor

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Another of 421’s Ramadan specials – a gathering for wordsmiths to exchange writings, makes zines, and connect over food. “The perfect chance to share your experiences and exchange ideas while connecting with fellow writers who understand your unique journey ...” [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Film Lovers’ Suhoor and Trivia Night

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A late-night gathering for film fans under the stars – “a suhoor filled with favourite cinema moments, trivia challenges and connecting with other like-minded creatives”.  

Free, but pre-register

Culture Bus: Sikka Art and Design Festival

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A round trip to the Sikka Art and Design Festival for Abu Dhabi residents. You'll get three hours on site: 3.30pm: Depart from 421 5.30pm: Arrive at Sikka 8.30pm: Depart 10.30pm: Arrive at 421 Get there 10 minutes before departure [ ... ]

AED 30

All the Wild Things

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A weekend of regional films that explore the climate crisis, cureated for 421 by Cinema Akil. As well as . This expansive program includes film screenings, talks, workshops, activations, and family-friendly screenings too. The mini festival includes screening of feature-length [ ... ]

Free. but pre-register for individual screenings

Network Culture

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

This exhibition presents projects by 12 of the participants in 421’s Homebound Residency Program, which ran annually from spring 2020 to fall 2023; it is both a celebration of the work produced during the programme and an acknowledgement of the [ ... ]

Free

Hana El-Sagini: Counting Fingers

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A solo exhibition that presents a newly commissioned large-scale installation rooted in the instability and fragility of the human experience — more than 200 fantastical ceramic objects arranged as surreal sculptures and structures that replicate and reimagine healthcare spaces, such [ ... ]

Free

Culture Bus: Art Dubai

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The excellent Culture Bus trip gives you the third and final day of Art Dubai (which is usually the quietest, so it's the best one for seeing art). You'll get three hours on site: 10.30am: Depart from 421 11.50pm: Arrive [ ... ]

AED 30

Culture Bus: Quoz Arts Festival

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The 2024 series of 421's Culture Bus trips from Abu Dhabi kicks off with a visit to the second day of Quoz Arts Fest. You'll get three hours on site: 2pm: Depart from 421 3.30pm: Arrive at Quoz Arts Fest [ ... ]

AED 30

Between Heaven and Earth: dir Najwa Najjar (2019)

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Salma and Tamer have been married for the past five years and living in the Palestinian Territory. As Tamer is given a three-day permit to cross the Israeli checkpoint to file for divorce in the courts of Nazareth, the couple [ ... ]

Free, but pre-regisrer and donate

Foragers: dir Jumana Manna (2022)

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Shot in the Golan Heights, the Galilee and Jerusalem, the film employs fiction, documentary and archival footage to capture the joy and knowledge embodied in the traditions of foraging for wild edible plants alongside the foragers' resilience in the face [ ... ]

Free, but pre-regisrer and donate

200 Meters: dir Amin Nayfeh (2019)

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Mustafa and his wife Salwa live 200 metres apart in villages separated by the Israeli wall. One day he gets a call every parent dreads: his son has had an accident. Rushing to cross the checkpoint, Mustafa is denied entry [ ... ]

Free, but pre-regisrer and donate

Alam: dir Firas Khoury (2022)

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Tamer and his friends lead typical high school students' lives until the arrival of the beautiful Maysaa.  As he grows closer to her, Tamer agrees to take part in a mysterious flag operation dubbed ‘Alam' on the eve of Israel's [ ... ]

Free, but pre-regisrer and donate

Asma Belhamar: Solid Void

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

This solo exhibition captures the tensions between shifting natural geographies and dynamic urban environments, featuring new works inspired by the UAE’s architectural history. It narrates the topographic evolution of the UAE, as influenced by Western classical modernity, contemporary traditionalism in [ ... ]

Free

Nine Nodes of Non-Being

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A group exhibition with works by nine artists, thinkers, filmmakers, and researchers from East, South, Southeast Asia, the MENA region, and South America. Curated by Ritika Biswas, it conceives of climate-related extinction through various states of negation and excess emerging [ ... ]

Free

Summer Soliloquies: A Writers’ Soiree

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

421’s first Writer’s Soiree promises a chance to meet and connect with other writers in Abu Dhabi – "an evening of food, reading, and greeting".

Free but pre-register

Summer Palette: An Artist Soiree

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Food, music, and art as 421's Artistic Development Program cohort for 2022/2023 – Asma Belhamar, Mahshid Rafiei and Nasir Nasrallah – present their work and process. Asma Belhamar’s practice confronts the visual memory of local landscapes, and offers insight into their [ ... ]

Free but pre-register

Culture Bus: Al Sadeem Observatory

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The 421 Culture Bus is taking a stargazing trip to the observatory on the outskirts of the city to observe the cosmos using traditional and smart telescopes. We're promised a unique experience using traditional and smart telescopes; included in the [ ... ]

AED 180

Nasir Nasrallah: Poetic of Machines

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Nasrallah’s solo show is a mythical exploration of the relationship between humans and machines. Through a collection of intricate drawings, paintings, publications, textiles, and installations, the UAE-based artist takes us on a journey into a world of mechanical creatures that [ ... ]

Free

Culture Bus: Maraya Arts Centre

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The excellent 421 Culture Bus is visiting Sharjah for the Maraya's current exhibitions (3-4pm) and a guided tour of Al Noor Island (4.15-5pm). There'll be plenty of time for a pre-gallery lunch at Al Qasba (not included in the bus [ ... ]

AED 30

421 Winter 2023 Exhibitions Closing Program

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

An evening session at 421, with guided tours of the current shows (5-5.30pm Of Mythic Proportions, led by the artist, Mahshid Rafiei: 5.45-6.30pm And The Mirrors Are Many, led by curator Mona Al-Jadir and including a performance by Reem Almenhali). [ ... ]

Free

Culture Bus: Al Sadeem Observatory

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The 421 Culture Bus is taking a stargazing trip experience to the observatory on the outskirts of the city to observe the cosmos using traditional and smart telescopes. Get there 10 minutes before departure to ensure the bus leaves on [ ... ]

AED 30

Culture Bus: Bayt AlMamzar

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The excellent 421 Culture Bus is back, this time with a Ramadan trip to the artists' gallery/workspace Bayt AlMamzar in Dubai. The evening will include a tour of the gallery and a community potluck iftar. Get there 10 minutes before [ ... ]

AED 30

Moonlit Market

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A second (and final) evening for this market of locally-based food concepts, creative businesses, artists, artisans, drop-in workshops (instant photography emulsion, paper dyeing, weaving) and 'activations' (a photobooth with Gulf Photo Plus, a henna station, stargazing and board games) that [ ... ]

Free

Moonlit Market

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Locally-based food concepts, creative businesses, artists, artisans, drop-in workshops (cooking, crochet, wire-art jewellery, chocolate, henna-making) and 'activations' (a photobooth with Gulf Photo Plus, a henna station, stargazing and board games) take over 421's outdoor plaza at 421. From 9pm to [ ... ]

Free

The Artist Toolkit: Strategies for Applying to Open Calls

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A free three-day course with Jolain Frizzell (Dubai-based arts professional who has managed Leila Heller Gallery and The Third Line; she is currently Director of The Institute for Emerging Art) on how to find and apply for the right opportunities [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Culture Bus: Art Dubai

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The easiest (and probably the most economical way) for Abu Dhabi folk to get to Art Dubai. 421's excellent Culture Bus trip gives you four hours at the fair – depart from Madinat Jumeirah at 6pm. The price doesn't include [ ... ]

AED 30

Culture Bus: Sharjah Biennial

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Another of 421’s economical, hassle-free bus trips, this time to the key venues of Sharjah Biennial 15. The schedule: 1pm depart from 421 (get there 10 minutes early to be sure of a seat!) 3pm arrive Al Mureijah Square 3-4pm [ ... ]

Round 4: 100/100 Hundred Best Arabic Posters

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

This year marks over eight years of partnership between 421 and 100/100: Hundred Best Arabic Posters, the Cairo-based group that spotlights the Arab world’s visual culture through a selection of the best Arabic posters from the region. ⁠ This year’s [ ... ]

Free

Mahshid Rafiei: Of Mythic Proportions

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The first solo exhibition for Mahshid Rafiei presents a large-scale installation of five newly commissioned works that takes up the whole of 421’s Gallery 1. His thesis is that illusion is not the antithesis of truth but a co-conspirator, guiding [ ... ]

Free

Culture Bus: Quoz Arts Fest

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

421’s excellent bus trips to events beyond the boundaries of Abu Dhabi continue with a genially-paced visit to the second day of Quoz Arts Fest – economical, hassle-free (provided you make the departure times) and with no need to hunt [ ... ]

Ho Rui An: The Oil in the Bunkers, the Wind in the Trees

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

As part of the Curatorial Development Exhibition program (CDEP); Screening Nature Screaming, this talk by the multidisciplinary artoist Ho Rui An explores ideas of artistic practice and the anthropocene, the environmental crisis, drawing knowledge from land, and the critical role [ ... ]

Free

Afikra Salon Abu Dhabi Vol.4

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Afikra Salon is a semi-monthly salon-style event for members of the community to present on cultural and historical topics they are curious about: "the purpose of each evening is to bring together a community of like-minded individuals and have a [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Performance Lecture: The Dinner in the Mountains

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Artists Moza Almatrooshi and Nahla Tabbaa (currently exhibiting at Warehouse421 in On Foraging) present a lecture performance with a tasting menu experience, derived from their research into the flora of the UAE's mountains. Through a series of excursions during Moza [ ... ]

AED 60

Culture Bus: Downtown Design

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Warehouse421's excellent coach trips beyond the capital continue with a visit to Dubai Design Week, or at least as much of it as you will at d3 (which to be fair is most of it). The schedule should allow around [ ... ]

AED 30

Playing with Nature: An Eco-Conscious Market

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A one-of-a-kind open-air eco market that brings together locally-based artists, artisans, craftsmen, creatives, and educators to offer products (including local farms, eco-friendly fashion, traditional crafts, food trucks, "and so much more") and activities (workshops, mainly for kids; a family-friendly play [ ... ]

Free

Meitha Al Mazroui: Four Moments from the History of Scent

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A talk that discusses how fragrance played an essential role in the historical relations between architecture and capital, the result of a cross-cultural knowledge exchange that was facilitated by the book-making industry in 13th century Iraq. Says Al Mazroui: "I [ ... ]

Free

Mohamed Khalid: Let me tell you something  

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The first institutional solo exhibition for UAE-based artist Mohamed Khalid results from his participation in Warehouse421’s Artistic Development Exhibition Program. The exhibition features seven new commissioned works produced this year, including conceptual photography, installation and series of cyanotype prints and [ ... ]

Free

Afikra Salon

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

"A semi-monthly salon-style event where members of the community present on cultural and historical topics they are curious about. The purpose of each evening is to bring together a community of like-minded individuals and have a fruitful conversation about things [ ... ]

Free

A Mobile Essay with Jill Magi

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

A "performative tour” of Jill Magi’s ongoing solo show at Warehouse421, The Weft in Pencil. The paintings and fabric works in the exhibition are rooted in the notion of a grid or matrix – the intersection of warp and weft [ ... ]

Free

A Reflection on The Outreach

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

In this conversation, Kuwaiti artist Mo Reda will lead a discussion with emerging practitioners on the ins and outs of professional art practice, their challenges in developing their career and the necessary skills they find themselves relying on. This talk [ ... ]

Free

Jill Magi: The Weft in Pencil

421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Paintings and fabric works in a solo exhibition for Jill Magi, part of the Artistic Development Exhibition Program run by Warehouse421 in partnership with The Institute for Emerging Art. The works here are rooted in the grid or matrix – [ ... ]

Free