Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has organized the second edition of its public light art event, titled “The Light Compass,” for the 2025-26 season. Curated by a four-person team led by artistic director Khai Hori, the event features 15 installations by international and Emirati artists, including DRIFT, KAWS, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Ammar Al Attar, and Christian Brinkmann. Works are displayed across multiple sites: Jubail Island and Souq Al Mina in Abu Dhabi, and Al Qattara Oasis and Al Jimi Oasis in Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include DRIFT’s biometric dome and drone show, KAWS’s giant “Companion” figure holding a glowing orb, and site-specific pieces by Lozano-Hemmer and others.
This event matters because it continues Abu Dhabi’s ambitious push to position itself as a global cultural destination, leveraging public art to activate urban and heritage spaces. The inclusion of both internationally recognized artists and local Emirati voices reflects a strategic blend of global appeal and regional identity. As part of the broader Vision 2030 initiative, “The Light Compass” also underscores the growing role of light-based public art in placemaking and tourism, building on the success of the inaugural Manar Abu Dhabi exhibition.