Abu Dhabi Art Presents the Fourth Edition of the Durub Al Tawaya Performing Arts Programme

Multidisciplinary programmedetails participating artists for 2016 edition’s live performances

Abu Dhabi, UAE, October 23, 2016: Abu Dhabi Art will once again offer visitors an opportunity to discover a variety of artistic experiences through its series of newly commissioned performing arts works. Durub Al Tawaya, a multidisciplinary performing arts programme curated by Tarek Abou El Fetouh, is set to expandthe Abu Dhabi Art artistic programme with performances by a number of international artists from 10 to 19 November across the UAE capital.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the fourth edition of Durub Al Tawaya is a signature element of Abu Dhabi Art, and will bring together a series of live performances that reflect on the cosmopolitan character of the city. The programme will present several new commissions in public spaces and across various venues in Abu Dhabiincluding Saadiyat Island, the Corniche, and Mina Zayed.

Among the artists invited to participate in this year’s Durub Al TawayaisAnna Rispoliwill developa new production onthe waterfront of Abu Dhabi, a work that will be anchored on her art engagement performative practice,and artist and musician Raed Yassin, who will compose and perform a new solely acoustic performance in collaboration with traditional Emirati musicians, performing a contemporary adaptation of Lewah traditional art in a concert on Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Other performances within the programme include an Abu Dhabi-based version of the contemporary opera composed by Keiichiro Shibuyathat will be performed on the beach by the Japanese virtual humanoid persona HatsuneMiku under the title“THE END on the Beach”, anda new site specific performance at Manarat Al Saadiyatby visual artist MietWarlop.

The programme will also offer a screening of the critically acclaimed feature film "Ship of Theseus" by Indian director Anand Gandhi, an electronic concert by the Swiss-Lebanese band “PRAED”, and a performance by the celebrated Chinese dance company TAO Dance Theater.

The title of the programme is inspired by the long paths taken across the desert, “Durub,” and “Tawaya,” which means underground water springs in Emirati, or “Taway,” which refers to layers of meaning in classical Arabic and stands for ideas and values that are revealed as they unfold. 

Abu Dhabi Art is a distinctive platform that celebrates the vitality of Abu Dhabi and the ever-changing contemporary art scene. Evolving and adapting to the ongoing development of the cultural landscape in the Saadiyat Cultural District and the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art embodies the cultural complexitiesand creative ambition that define the city.