Dramatic Etihad Museum opens in Dubai to celebrate the UAE's formation
POSTED 09 Jan 2017 . BY Kim Megson
The museum's curving entrance pavilion rests lightly upon a reflecting pool and plaza Credit: Dubai Media Office
A new museum dedicated to the founding fathers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) opened in Dubai on Saturday (7 January).
Located on the waterfront of the emirate, the wavy design of the Etihad (Union) Museum is inspired by the shape of a manuscript, with its seven tapering columns emulating the seven pens used to sign the 1971 Union agreement that created the UAE.
The project design team, led by Moriyama & Teshima Architects, have placed much of the 26,000sq m (280,000sq ft) museum underground, including theatres, event spaces, archival facilities, eight permanent galleries and one temporary space for travelling exhibitions.
Lightwells of varying shapes and sizes illuminate the underground spaces, which in turn lead to the below-ground rooms of the circular Union House – the location of the historic signing ceremony – and a re-created Guest House, representing the place where the leaders of the seven member emirates resided during negotiations.
Above ground, a curving entrance pavilion rests lightly upon a reflecting pool and plaza, providing a view towards the exterior of Union House and a 123m (403.5ft) high golden pole bearing the UAE flag.
The museum’s educational exhibits and programmes show the chronological events that led to the foundation of the UAE and the drafting of the nation’s constitution from the perspective of its leaders. Historically-important objects from 1968 to 1974, interactive videos and a holographic film are among the exhibits, while visitors can also visit the museum’s library, which has a collection of 3,000 books on the UAE’s national and social history.
An inauguration ceremony, attended by many of the UAE’s current rulers, was held on 2 December 2016 to coincide with the UAE’s 45th National Day.
Saeed Al Nabouda, acting director general of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “This landmark heritage initiative is an important manifestation of the vision to create an important national UAE cultural and tourist landmark,” and claimed the museum “will enhance visitor understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities bestowed upon the nation’s citizens through the UAE constitution.”
The Etihad Museum was commissioned as part of the Dubai Plan 2021 – which aims to consolidate the emirate’s position “as a home for creative individuals who are proud of their cultural identity.”
PROJECT PROFILE: Dubai Expo 2020 Nearly a year ago the UAE won the right to host the World Expo in Dubai in 2020, and now the master planners behind the original bid have been selected to design the host venue at the 438 acre (1.77sq km, 0.68sq m) Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali.
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Dramatic Etihad Museum opens in Dubai to celebrate the UAE's formation
POSTED 09 Jan 2017 . BY Kim Megson
The museum's curving entrance pavilion rests lightly upon a reflecting pool and plaza Credit: Dubai Media Office
A new museum dedicated to the founding fathers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) opened in Dubai on Saturday (7 January).
Located on the waterfront of the emirate, the wavy design of the Etihad (Union) Museum is inspired by the shape of a manuscript, with its seven tapering columns emulating the seven pens used to sign the 1971 Union agreement that created the UAE.
The project design team, led by Moriyama & Teshima Architects, have placed much of the 26,000sq m (280,000sq ft) museum underground, including theatres, event spaces, archival facilities, eight permanent galleries and one temporary space for travelling exhibitions.
Lightwells of varying shapes and sizes illuminate the underground spaces, which in turn lead to the below-ground rooms of the circular Union House – the location of the historic signing ceremony – and a re-created Guest House, representing the place where the leaders of the seven member emirates resided during negotiations.
Above ground, a curving entrance pavilion rests lightly upon a reflecting pool and plaza, providing a view towards the exterior of Union House and a 123m (403.5ft) high golden pole bearing the UAE flag.
The museum’s educational exhibits and programmes show the chronological events that led to the foundation of the UAE and the drafting of the nation’s constitution from the perspective of its leaders. Historically-important objects from 1968 to 1974, interactive videos and a holographic film are among the exhibits, while visitors can also visit the museum’s library, which has a collection of 3,000 books on the UAE’s national and social history.
An inauguration ceremony, attended by many of the UAE’s current rulers, was held on 2 December 2016 to coincide with the UAE’s 45th National Day.
Saeed Al Nabouda, acting director general of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “This landmark heritage initiative is an important manifestation of the vision to create an important national UAE cultural and tourist landmark,” and claimed the museum “will enhance visitor understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities bestowed upon the nation’s citizens through the UAE constitution.”
The Etihad Museum was commissioned as part of the Dubai Plan 2021 – which aims to consolidate the emirate’s position “as a home for creative individuals who are proud of their cultural identity.”
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is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
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