Louvre Abu Dhabi Breaks Boundaries Bridges Civilizations

Abu Dhabi Louvre Breaks Boundaries Bridges Civilizations: image of the outside of the museum with its immense filigreed dome, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. — The new Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, has an immense filigreed dome which seems to float over clusters of the white cuboid galleries.

Louvre Abu Dhabi Breaks Boundaries and Bridges Civilizations: Image of inside the dome with soaring tree sculpture by Guiseppe Penone — Soaring tree sculpture by Italian artist, Giuseppe Penone reaches to the airy honeycomb patterned dome

Louvre Abu Dhabi, an Emirates Highlight

The Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened in November, is visually magnificent, and yes, I thought it awesome.

The structure’s immense dome is a lacework of grey stainless steel honeycomb patterns. It seems to float over white-walled flat roofed clusters of museum buildings, courtyards and reflecting pools.

The creator of this extraordinary structure is French architect, Jean Nouvel, who takes inspiration from the locality. Here he was inspired by the way light filters through the roof of a souk or leaves of oasis date palms. The white box-like buildings housing galleries and offices have the look of an Arab village

The result of this inspiration is that walking around main areas of the museum luminous shafts of light dapple the granite floor. There is also gentle breeze channeled from surrounding water, refreshing in a desert climate.

Louvre Abu Dhabi Breaks Boundaries Bridges Civilization: White marble Buddha head sculpted in the mid- 6th century is part of the exhibit of humanity — White marble Buddha head sculpted in the mid-6th century from a temple in Northern China. Buddhism was introduced to China in the 1st century by Silk Road pilgrims and traders from India.

Meeting of East and West

It was ten years ago that Jean Nouvel had his original inspiration. This was after an agreement was signed between the United Arab Emirates and France to create a “universal museum”. A museum where artifacts, art and sculpture would tell a visual story of world history from earliest civilizations. A history of humanity.

The concept is for it to be an independent museum. However for 30 years it would use the name of the Louvre. During this time it could borrow art from that and other French museums while developing its own collection.

Armed with an iPad guide (there is also an app) I began my tour. The story is told chronologically and I found it utterly absorbing.

In the beginning

After an introductory gallery the installation continues with “The First Villages.” There my eye was drawn to a two-headed sculpture dated 6500B.C. on loan from Jordan. It is one of the earliest large-scale representations of human form. Nearby was a delightful small figure of a Bactrian princess 2300-1700 B.C.from what is now Afghanistan, a recent purchase.

Continuing, the civilizations unfurl in this illustrated chronicle of world cultural history. There are 20 galleries that form 12 “chapters” of human civilization. Excellent maps show trade routes, especially the Ancient Silk Road, illustrating how these were conduits for people, ideas and beliefs.

In a slightly darkened room – to protect the ancient manuscripts – was a hand illustrated gothic Bible, a 7th century Blue Quran, one of the oldest ever found, a recently purchased Yemeni Torah and Buddhist sutras. These were displayed in the same case. In the Louvre Abu Dhabi the boundaries which divide traditional museums into departments by eras or geography are gone.

Louvre Abu Dhabi breaks boundaries bridges civilizations: famous self portrait by Van Gough lent to the museum by the Musee d'Orsay, Paris — Vincent Van Gough, Self-Portrait. This famous portrait painted in 1889 was lent by the Musee d’Orsay for the opening exhibition.

The Story Continues

Leonardo’s “La Belle Ferronniere” has been loaned by the Louvre – as has Jacques-Louis David’s show-stopping Napoleon crossing the Alps. Gilbert Stuart’s George Washington is a permanent resident.

“The Global Stage” is the conclusion. Here are some very recognizable treasures from the Musee d’Orsay such as Van Gough’s self portrait and Monet’s Gare St. Lazare.

The Piet Mondrian’s 1922 “Composition With Blue, Red, Yellow and Black” is one of the works acquired for the museum from Christies.

Some curators feared the Louvre Abu Dhabi spending spree would send art prices soaring. Others say it has not, though the sale of Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi, destined for this collection did set records.

Grand Finale

Without doubt, for me, the stunning Ai Weiwei Fountain of Light was a genius finale. Commissioned by the museum it stands 23-feet high, made of steel and glass crystals. It was inspired by Tatlin Tower, a utopian project scheduled to be built in Russia in 1919.

Louvre Abu Dahbi Breaks Boundaries Bridges Civilizations: stunning Fountain of light by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is reminiscent of the tower of Babel. It was commissioned by the Museum. — Fountain of Light by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is reminiscent of the Tower of Babel, a biblical story about a multitude of languages spoken. This version is inspired by Tatlin’s Tower, a project of communist ideals.The glass crystals reflect economic power implying globalization is making the story of Babel a reality.

Want to vist the Louvre Abu Dahbi?

The Louvre Abu Dahbi is just an hour’s drive from Dubai. So if you have a layover on Emirates Airline it is not far and well worth the visit. The museum is part of an arts complex on Saadiyat Island which will include a National Museum and a new Guggenheim. New York University already has its own gallery. The Museum is already on the itinerary of cruise ships and will likely be popular during Expo 2020 held in Dubai.

For tickets: louvreabudhabi.ae