Based in Japan, the international art collective has launched a transformative multisensory art experience in Saadiyat Cultural District.
Andrew Garfield, Natalia Dyer, Swizz Beatz, Cate Blanchett, Flying Lotus — it was a star-studded affair as Saadiyat Cultural District welcomed its newest landmark, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Developed by acclaimed art collective teamLab (which seeks to navigate the confluence of art, science, technology, and the natural world), the multisensory venue is designed to explore and transcend the limits of guests’ imagination.
Each artwork within its purpose-built venue that spans 17,000 square metres will evolve over time through the interplay of light, sound and movement. Unlike traditional artworks, the artworks at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi are fluid; they exist in a dynamic relationship with their environment, responding to guests’ actions and natural changes in the environment, creating a living, breathing art experience unlike any other.
Comprising two distinct Wet and Dry areas, guests will be immersed in a series of mesmerising visuals, vibrant landscapes, and interactive installations that dissolve the boundaries between art and audience. In the Dry artwork area, visitors will encounter a variety of artworks that encourage interaction, where artworks respond to their movements and actions, creating a unique connection between guests and the artwork. As they move into the Wet artwork area, guests will follow a dedicated walkway leading them into an exciting realm filled with fluid, hands-on experiences that further deepen their connection with the art.
“teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a groundbreaking cultural landmark that redefines immersive art experiences on a global scale,” said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). “It embodies a bold vision that pushes the boundaries of creativity, technology, and human perception, offering visitors an experience unlike any other. Together with our partner, teamLab, we take great pride in bringing this pioneering concept to life, reinforcing our commitment to shaping world-class experiences that inspire, engage, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s cultural legacy.”
The launch event articulated the connection between art, technology and imagination, with the music of renowned pianist Ludovico Einaudi intersecting with the artistic light installations that emerged from teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and rose to the sky. “The artworks in teamLab Phenomena do not exist independently, but are created by the environment which produces the various phenomena that creates the artworks,” explained Toshiyuki Inoko, Founder of teamLab. “Objects such as stones and manmade creations maintain a stable structure independently. A stone, for instance, will remain unchanged even if placed in a sealed box, isolated from the outside world. In contrast, a vortex in the ocean will vanish in an instant if removed from its environment. Unlike a stone, a vortex does not sustain itself; it evolves with the surrounding currents, formed by water flowing continuously from the outside to the inside and from the inside to the outside of the vortex, changing along with the flow.
“Moreover, the boundaries of its existence are ambiguous, and there is no material distinction between the vortex and its surroundings. The unique environment produces the phenomena, and the environment maintains the existence of the structure. Let us call that existence Environmental Phenomena. The artwork is inseparable from the environment and changes along with the environment. This concept transcends the various conventional notions of existence by physical forms. Even if people immerse themselves physically into the artwork, the artwork will remain intact, capable of naturally restoring itself even if disrupted. However, when the environment is not sustained, the artwork will disappear. The boundaries of the artwork are ambiguous and continuous with the environment. Perhaps, people’s consciousness will expand from the artwork itself to the environment beyond.”
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a key addition to Saadiyat Cultural District that, upon completion, will be the largest concentration of world-leading cultural and educational institutions. This dynamic district, for the uninitiated, is home to an unparalleled line-up of museums and cultural landmarks that includes Louvre Abu Dhabi. Further ahead, it will play host to Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
Discover: teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. @teamlab_phenomena
