DATE:
2018
CLIENT:
Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation
SERVICES:
Technical development and museographic implementation
Museum – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Through an artistic exploration of the life, legacy and values of the UAE’s founding President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder’s Memorial offers a unique opportunity to become immersed in the history and culture of the UAE, through experiences designed to reveal aspects of the country’s broader social, cultural and environmental heritage, including art, stories, and exhibitions.
The Founder’s Memorial encompasses 3,3 hectares of beautifully landscaped public space with plants indigenous to the UAE and Arabian Peninsula. The memorial features a Sanctuary Garden including seating areas and a traditional ‘falaj’ water channel, a Heritage Garden where visitors learn about medicinal desert plants, and an elevated walkway offering captivating views of The Constellation, the Arabian Gulf and the city’s skyline.The centrepiece of the space is The Constellation, a monumental artwork designed by public artist Ralph Helmick.
The Welcome Centre’s insightful multimedia experience enables visitors to explore Emirati heritage by engaging with Sheikh Zayed’s legacy. The most iconic feature of the Welcome Centre is a 23-metre-long by 3-metre-high L-shaped screen that displays a high-definition audio-visual. To create this audio-visual, ACCIONA Producciones y Diseño has used a collection of the late leader’s personal images, audios with the voice of Sheikh Zayed himself and interviews with people who were close to him. Another large screen in the Welcome Centre shows the making of the memorial and the monumental public artwork ‘The Constellation’.