Where art and technology meet
The Cultural Tour Series, 5/5
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
A place to explore
As the world moves inexorably towards a more technological future, Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, with its mission to showcase the finest art and technology, could hardly afford to remain on the sidelines. In line with its forward-looking ethos, the district will soon host a purpose-built space offering a glimpse into the potential of art: teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, which will enhance a stellar line-up of world-class venues including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. “If you really want to understand something, you need to be able to explore and experience it,” says Takashi Kudo, the communications director of teamLab, a Tokyo-based art collective founded in 2001.
True to this guiding principle, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will showcase large-scale artworks and immersive installations designed to inspire curiosity and explore new forms of perception. Each teamLab installation is intended to evolve freely and organically, appearing differently to each fresh pair of eyes and challenging the boundaries of the imagination.
Artistic essence
The 17,000 sq m teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi building is an absorbing artwork in itself. According to Sultan Al Ramahi, senior ideation manager at Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, the building’s architecture transcends traditional boundaries. “The exterior seems indefinite and nebulous, like a cloud, creating a structure where the undefined internal and external forms are unified by the architectural skin,” says Al Ramahi. The inspiration for the design came not only from what he calls the “artistic essence” of Tokyo, with its fascination with technology, but also from Abu Dhabi’s stunning urban landscape and natural topography, where cutting-edge innovation intertwines with tradition.
