SINGAPORE – Singapore curator Khairuddin Hori is leading the Manar Abu Dhabi light festival in 2025.
The second edition of one of the United Arab Emirates’ most ambitious public art festivals returns to Abu Dhabi from Nov 15 to Jan 4. This year, the event will also extend to Al Ain, the emirate’s second-largest city, from Nov 1 to Jan 4.
Manar, which means lighthouse in Arabic, carries the theme of The Light Compass in 2025, which guided Mr Hori’s curatorial approach.
The 51-year-old says: “It draws on the Gulf’s histories, when light guided travellers across sea and desert, and invites audiences to see this in contrast with the technologies and positions of light in contemporary artworks.”
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme, the festival features more than 19 newly commissioned works and site-specific light sculptures by Emirati and international artists.
Ms Reem Fadda, DCT Abu Dhabi’s director of culture programming, says of Mr Hori’s appointment: “Building on the success of Manar Abu Dhabi’s inaugural edition, we are committed to enriching the programme through collaboration with leading curators of international standing and promoting cross-cultural dialogue.
“Khai Hori brings extensive international expertise and a proven track record in delivering ambitious cultural projects, including his leadership roles at Palais de Tokyo, the Singapore Art Museum and beyond.
“As artistic director, we are excited for Khai’s curatorial vision to elevate this year’s edition of Manar Abu Dhabi, fostering artistic excellence and meaningful cultural engagement while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global arts destination.”
The inaugural edition held from November 2023 to January 2024 featured brand names including Japan’s teamLab and Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s Translation Island, part of Manar Abu Dhabi 2023.
PHOTO: LANCE GERBER
Among the artists in 2025’s festival are American artist Kaws; Amsterdam-based duo Studio Drift, which has created a nightly drone show; and French culinary studio We Are Ona.
Mr Hori, who was senior curator at the Singapore Art Museum and deputy director of artistic programming at Palais de Tokyo in Paris, sees his role as contributing to the long-term cultural growth of the region, which has been pouring impressive resources into art, from attracting museum brand names such as the Guggenheim and the Louvre to organising splashy contemporary art fairs and biennales.
He adds: “Working in Abu Dhabi has been both grounding and inspiring. Manar has reconnected me with artists of remarkable calibre and a young, dedicated curatorial team within a cultural ecosystem that treats art with seriousness and integrity.
“The Department of Culture and Tourism embraces a holistic approach, opening pathways of accessibility and allowing the public to encounter art with generosity of spirit. They encourage a curatorial process that values not only visual strength but works shaped by poetry, depth and lasting resonance.”
His team includes co-curators Alia Zaal Lootah, Munira Al Sayegh and Mariam Alshehhi.
Beyond just luring tourists, Manar is also trying to build an ecosystem to support artists. One such initiative is the Manar Fellowship, which aims to help emerging Emirati artists learn how to make large-scale artworks.
