Greetings from Abu Dhabi
The Louvre Abu Dhabi
I visited this museum on a previous trip to Abu Dhabi, when here for work, but only saw the exterior which I found really interesting to photograph. Now on our stop over in the Emirate on our way to Manila I was keen to share it with Chris and this time get to see the inside. The interior proved to be as interesting as the exterior had promised. The museum displays art from very early civilisations up to the present day, in chronological order. And unlike many others, it presents various contemporaneous cultures alongside each other. You follow a thread from early self-contained kingdoms through conquest and expansion into empires. You see how trade via the Silk Route made an impact all over Asia and Europe, how different world religions emerged and developed. And you see the truth of the remark that although we may all come from different cultures, we have more in common than we might think, or that many would admit.
I rarely post a single photo as I prefer to explore a topic in some depth, whether a single destination or a theme. But my ‘postcards from the road’ are an exception. So it’s timely that Ann-Christine has asked us to do just that for this week’s Lens Artists challenge, and to explain why we’ve chosen it. I think my remarks above help to do just that. It seems to me that the message about how much that humanity has in common is even more important right now that it has been for some time. And any experiences that emphasise this are to be treasured.
35 Comments
Sofia Alves
I love the volumes on this, Sarah. Wonderfully composed.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sofia 😊
Rose
An amazing image and I look forward to your future posts on this. Love this phrase you wrote and agree wholeheartedly – “the message about how much that humanity has in common is even more important right now that it has been for some time. And any experiences that emphasise this are to be treasured.”
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Rose 😊 I plan to share more photos and info when I get home!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Enjoy the Philippines, Sarah…..it’s going to be fascinating comparing our different experiences….
Toonsarah
I agree, it will be great to compare notes – perhaps over a beer (or several) when/if we’re at home at the same time!
thehungrytravellers.blog
We’re just about to post an “opinions so far” item so it might give you some bits to compare notes on 😀
the eternal traveller
At first I thought it must be a swimming pool at a luxury hotel. Safe travels and enjoy your new adventure.
Toonsarah
Ah yes I can see how you might think that!
bushboy
A great photo Sarah. This challenge must have been so hard for you 😂
Did you know that most people in the Middle East don’t understand the Flintstones but the folk of Abu Dhabi do 😁
Toonsarah
Haha nice one Brian 🤣 And normally you would be right – if not away from home I would definitely have struggled to narrow my options down to a single image!
Leya
Great choice, Sarah, and important message. Love the post in all senses.
Toonsarah
Thank you for both the lovely comment and timely challenge 😊
Egídio
Sarah, what a beautiful photo! The shapes and colors grab my attention.
Toonsarah
Thank you Egidio, it’s such a striking building!
Tina Schell
Beautifully captured and very well said Sarah. I loved both your image and your message.
Toonsarah
Thank you so much Tina ☺️
ThingsHelenLoves
The water and white is a lovely combination. Happy travels, Manila sounds very exciting.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Helen, we’re excited to be visiting the Philippines!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Sounds really interesting, though as Margaret also says it’s not somewhere I’ve thought of going. Beautiful building too, I like the way it emerges from water.
Sarah Wilkie
I loved the building when I saw it some years ago and was pleased to get to see inside today. I don’t think I’d make a special journey here just for this, but if you’re flying Etihad they offer a 2 night free stopover 😃
margaret21
Though Abu Dhabi has never been on my Must Visit list, this museum sounds so good. I’ve only ever seen this type of display done culture by culture. Yes, anything that demonstrates how much we humans have in common with each other has to be worth doing. Though I fear the people who need to see this point of view won’t be doing so 😒. Enjoy your onward holiday!
Sarah Wilkie
I fear you’re right on that count, and although I suppose a handful of them may find themselves in this museum I don’t think that perspective would occur to them.
margaret21
🙄
Heyjude
How lovely. I enjoy the TV programmes about the Silk Road, the Ottoman Empire, the Balkans etc. Always good to get an insight into the history of such places and cultures. This museum looks and sounds interesting.
Sarah Wilkie
I think you’d definitely like this museum Jude. Photos are allowed inside amd I took lots so I’ll share a selection in a fuller post on my return 😊
JohnRH
Thoughtful post. I love the header shot!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you John 😊 That’s a bit of a cheat as it makes two photos in a post but you can’t successfully use a portrait format shot as a header!
Sue
Oh, interesting! I like that
it presents various contemporaneous cultures alongside each other.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, it seemed a refreshingly different approach to many museums. I particularly liked the first gallery where they had cabinets each with three items from different cultures on a particular theme such as writing, funerary masks, tools.
Sue
oh, brilliant!
Travel with a Pen
Beautiful architecture and photo!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m glad you liked both 😊
Anne Sandler
Beautiful photo Sarah, and enough to peak my interest. When will we see more?
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Anne 😀 I won’t get around to sharing any more photos from today’s visit inside until I get home in March, but there are more photos of the exterior, taken on my previous visit, in the post linked above, if you’re curious!