Art, Process & Practice
Warehouse 421, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, 2015
Client: Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation
with: Seaf Program
Rhode Island School of Design: Anais Missakian, Pradeep Sharma
Coordinators: Khulood Al Atiyat, Dan Phillips
Artists: Abdul Azim Al Ghussein, Afra Al Dhaheri, Al Anood Al Obaidly, Alaa Edris, Alia Hussein Lootah, Asma Belhamar, Hadeyeh Badri, Hamdan Al Shamsi, Khaled Mezaina, Mays Albaik, Moza Al Matrooshi, Saif Mhaisen, Salama Nasib, Talin Hazbar, Vikram Divecha and Walid Al Wawi
Contractor: Projex Dubai
Surface: 1250sm
The exhibition was installed in a temporary venue—an old timber warehouse. The core theme of the SEAF program, centered around the idea of “community,” was interpreted through the project’s main architectural element: a long table that runs the length of the space, displaying artworks by selected artists.
This table functions as a continuous sequence of display cases, showcasing sketches, drawings, photographs, and documents produced in the artists’ studios. Its form recalls a stack of raw industrial timber, subtly referencing the building’s original use.
The main exhibition hall features a distinctive lighting system composed of 10 inverted pyramid-like structures, wrapped in white fabric. These elements harness natural light from the existing skylights, diffusing it softly throughout the space. Each skylight is fitted with a custom-designed base, tailored to accommodate the specific media types on display—enhancing both the presentation and the viewing experience.
