The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will kick off in November 2024 and will feature a range of installations, sculptures, and art displays across prominent locations in Abu Dhabi. The biennial is designed to foster artistic exploration and inspire creative dialogue within the community, while also showcasing Abu Dhabi as a global cultural hub. Through its diverse art installations and interactive displays, the biennial will offer residents and visitors an immersive experience that merges art with the urban environment.

The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s long-term cultural vision, which includes developing sustainable and community-focused spaces for the arts.

DCT Abu Dhabi explained that this new biennial will serve as a platform for international and local artists to present innovative works, bringing together talents from around the globe. By placing art in public spaces, Abu Dhabi seeks to make artistic engagement accessible, enabling residents and visitors alike to connect with creativity in their everyday surroundings.

As part of its commitment to fostering a thriving cultural ecosystem, the DCT has outlined plans for educational workshops, talks, and interactive sessions to complement the installations. These activities aim to engage a broader audience and inspire future generations of artists in the UAE. “The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is an invitation to explore the evolving relationship between art, community, and space,” stated a spokesperson from DCT Abu Dhabi. “We want to create opportunities for the public to connect with art beyond the traditional gallery setting.”

The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial also supports the emirate’s growing tourism and cultural sectors. By establishing itself as a destination for innovative public art, Abu Dhabi seeks to attract art lovers and cultural tourists from around the world.

The biennial’s integration into the city’s landscape is expected to have a long-lasting impact, fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts among residents and enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a leader in cultural development.

In addition to fostering international recognition, the biennial provides a platform for Emirati artists to present their work on a global stage, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a nexus for artistic innovation in the Middle East. The installations will not only add aesthetic value but will serve as landmarks of cultural significance, encouraging viewers to engage with the city in new and meaningful ways.

With the launch of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, the city continues its mission of positioning itself as a central hub for the arts. This biennial will serve as a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community, fostering a vibrant cultural landscape that is set to leave a lasting legacy in Abu Dhabi’s public spaces.

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K11 Art Mall is currently owned by New World Development, a property firm established by Cheng Yu-tung in 1970. His son, billionaire Henry Cheng, serves as the chairman, and his grandson, Adrian Cheng, is the CEO. Adrian Cheng, known for his significant presence on ARTnews’ Top 200 Collectors list, spearheads the K11 Group, which includes entities such as the K11 Craft and Guild Foundation and the K11 Art Foundation.

Under Adrian Cheng’s leadership, K11 Group has gained international acclaim for the K11 Art Foundation, which has hosted over 60 exhibitions across major cities in China and beyond, featuring prominent contemporary artists like Katharina Grosse, Guan Xiao, Neïl Beloufa, Zhang Enli, and Oscar Murillo.

The K11 Group has also pioneered the integration of art and commerce through its K11 art malls in Hong Kong and mainland China. In Hong Kong, the company operates both the original K11 Art Mall and the newer K11 Musea at Victoria Dockside.

Pascal de Sarthe, founder of de Sarthe Gallery in Hong Kong, expressed admiration for K11’s contributions, stating, “I have great respect for what K11 has done over the years. They have made a consequential contribution to the development of Hong Kong culture. They are not afraid of taking risks. They have hosted successful solo exhibitions of some of our previously unknown young artists, demonstrating a true passion for art.”

Despite the buzz around the K11 Art Mall bid, Adrian Cheng remains optimistic about Hong Kong’s art scene, despite challenges such as a saturated fair ecosystem and struggling galleries. Cheng recently attended the launch of ART021 Hong Kong, a new art fair backed by the $178.8 million Mega Arts and Cultural Events (ACE) Fund, which he chairs. On LinkedIn, Cheng remarked: “With the support from Mega Arts and Cultural committee, yesterday we launched ART021 Hong Kong, one of Asia’s largest Art Fair. With this, we are creating a VIP economy and enhancing Hong Kong’s position as a centre for East-West art exchange while integrating art into daily life.”

Although ART021 saw substantial attendance, there were criticisms about the event’s quality and its government backing.

Reflecting on Hong Kong’s future, Cheng told Bloomberg, “I’m very confident [Hong Kong] will be number one for family office wealth management in the future.”

The potential sale of K11 Art Mall is part of a broader strategy by New World Development. In March, Cheng announced an increase in the company’s asset disposal target from HK$6 billion to HK$8 billion for the current financial year, aiming to enhance financial stability.

Recently, New World Development sold its stake in D-PARK, a shopping mall, and its parking facility in Tsuen Wan to Chinachem Group for HK$4.02 billion ($514 million). The company plans to continue asset divestment, reduce operational costs, and repurchase bonds.

Hong Kong’s top developers face significant pressure due to falling property prices and rising interest rates. Investor sentiment has been negatively impacted by defaults among Chinese developers since mid-2021, leading to a sell-off of New World Development shares and bonds.

In July, the public showed strong interest in discounted flats at Pavilia Forest I, a joint project between New World Development and Far East Consortium in the Kai Tak district.

Sources close to the K11 Art Museum in Shanghai noted, “Business brokerage is not doing well right now. A lot of malls are laying off workers or finding other companies to run the malls in such a way to reduce operating costs. There are fewer and fewer companies that still insist on doing their own art parts, and they are all looking for ways to cooperate.”

A spokesperson from K11 Art Foundation mentioned that programming is scheduled through 2026 and emphasized the upcoming K11 Ecoast, a major cultural-retail complex set to open on the Shenzhen waterfront in 2025. However, the spokesperson did not address inquiries regarding the potential sale of K11 Art Mall in Hong Kong.

Despite reluctance from current and former employees to discuss the matter, speculation persists about potential reorganization at New World Development and the K11 Group. This includes the possible sale of iconic art pieces and broader asset offloading, suggesting a challenging future for its network of art foundations and cultural-retail ventures amid ongoing global financial trends.

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