Before Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens, 3 events to preview its art this September

Dubai: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's doors will not swing open until December 11, yet the museum has already begun engaging the public with a series of talks, workshops and interactive art events. This month-long program, held at Manarat Al Saadiyat and Louvre Abu Dhabi, showcases three artists affiliated with the museum and provides a glimpse into the discussions that will define its opening.

The first event, a phone booth installation by Guggenheim Abu Dhabi artist Agatha Gothe-Snape, invites visitors to participate in shaping a collective archive of voices from Abu Dhabi. By answering personal questions through the booth, attendees contribute reflections, memories and perspectives to the installation, which runs from September 22 to October 22. No registration is required for this activity, available at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District.

Next, a three-day pop-up event dedicated to Egyptian-Armenian artist Chant Avedissian highlights his reinterpretation of Egypt's cultural icons and histories through a contemporary lens. Over the course of three afternoons, from September 25 to 27, visitors can attend talks, workshops and interactive activities exploring the influences that shaped Avedissian's visual language and the lasting impact of his work. Pre-registration is necessary for this event, which takes place at Manarat Al Saadiyat.

Concluding the month, a conversation at Louvre Abu Dhabi brings together artist Rachid Koraïchi and curator Abdelkader Damani to discuss abstraction as a shared artistic language across cultures and eras. The talk on September 29 will delve into calligraphy, geometry and contemporary practice, with a focus on the connections between Islamic heritage and today's art.

As a Jameel Prize-winning artist, Koraïchi has a long-standing relationship with the museum, having been among the first names revealed in the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi collection. His work Le Chemin des Roses was featured in the museum's preview exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat in 2014 and 2015. Registration is required for this event, which takes place at Louvre Abu Dhabi.