Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, is to present Treasures of the World’s Cultures, an exhibition in collaboration with the British Museum, featuring regional loans from Al Ain Museum and Sharjah Archeology Museum.
The exhibition tells the story of more than two million years of human life through some of the world’s most magnificent objects at the Saadiyat Cultural District. From paintings that reflect the rich and varied traditions of Islamic art and tools made in East Africa during the Old Stone Age to masterpieces from Renaissance Europe, the exhibition which will run from 18 April until 17 July, explores the varied interpretations of ‘treasure’. Featuring examples of ‘buried treasure’ and recent artworks from around the world, the exhibition connects historical and modern cultural perspectives through one visual experience.
Treasures of the World’s Cultures leads visitors to the broad horizon of world heritage through more than 250 exceptional objects, highlighting many universal themes that will also be explored in the Zayed National Museum, where galleries will tell the story of the region’s history and the unification of the United Arab Emirates through the life of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, father of the nation and its continual source of inspiration.
The exhibition starts with the beginning of human existence, in Africa, at a time when survival, success, status and relationships first began to depend on material things. Objects began to have meanings and significance beyond their usefulness and beautiful things started to inspire and define people. The importance of material culture in global societies is witnessed in the succeeding galleries as visitors go on a journey through the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. The exhibition culminates with objects from the Modern World.
Treasures of the World’s Cultures will be the fifth exhibition held at Manarat Al Saadiyat which opened in 2009 and has welcomed approximately 200,000 visitors to date. The exhibition will be open from 10am to 8pm daily.
For information on the exhibition visit: www.artsabudhabi.ae
