From left: Zayed National Museum construction site, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; Louvre Abu Dhabi site, Saadiyat Island. Photos: Marily Konstantinopoulou
Since the country’s formation in 1971, the United Arab Emirates—a federation of seven emirates—has undertaken significant social and political reforms in order to both demonstrate openness to international intellectual influence, and become an exemplar of cosmopolitanism in the Gulf region.
Children playing in Shiro Takatani’s installation composition, in Sharjah’s Heritage Area. 2013. Fog machine (water, nozzle, pump) and motorized mirror. Installation view, Sharjah Biennial 11, Re:emerge: Towards a New Cultural Cartography, March 13–May 13, 2013. Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation.
In 1972, the year that Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi became the ruler Emir of Sharjah, oil was struck 50 miles off the emirate’s shore. Soon, its capitol city was producing 35,000 barrels each day.
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