The second edition of Manar Abu Dhabi has launched under the theme “The Light Compass,” featuring 22 site-specific light-based installations across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain through January 4, 2026. Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the exhibition includes works by Emirati and international artists such as Pamela Poh, DRIFT, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, and KAWS, with venues spanning Jubail Island, Al Jimi and Al Qattara oases, and Mina Zayed. A parallel performance program and educational lectures accompany the installations.
This edition matters because it expands Manar Abu Dhabi’s reach inland to Al Ain’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed oases, embedding contemporary art within the emirate’s natural and cultural landscapes. As a key pillar of Public Art Abu Dhabi, the exhibition reinforces Abu Dhabi’s ambition to position itself as a vibrant cultural capital, using light art to connect traditional knowledge with contemporary experience and attract global audiences.