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Toy Box to Treasure Chest: The Art of Collecting’ Exhibition Opening
Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, ADMAF opens a unique exhibition for the community of Abu Dhabi at Ghaf Gallery.
(Abu Dhabi, UAE: 29 May 2013): A large audience experienced the nostalgia of childhood with the unveiled memorabilia displayed at the special ‘Toys and Treasures - Toy Box to Treasure Chest: The Art of Collecting’ exhibition, held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development. The opening was attended by Mr Alistair Burt, the British Minister for Middle East and North Africa, H.E. Dominic Jermey, UK Ambassador to the UAE, and Mr Marc Scheer, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Abu Dhabi.
Inspired by this year’s International Museum Day theme, Museums (memory + creativity) = social change, the exhibition ‘Toys and Treasures – Toy Box to Treasure Chest: The Art of Collecting’ looks to shine a light on the creativity and vitality of the museum sector and spotlights a number of collectors. ADMAF invites audiences across the UAE, both young and old, to delve into the wonderful worlds of seven private collections from the UK and across the UAE and discover how they too can become art curators, collectors, and guardians of history.
"The celebration of the International Museum Day translates the firm commitment of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) to consolidating the values of cultural exchange and dialogue between communities here in the UAE. Through participation with thousands of museums around the world, we celebrate the value of acquiring and preserving discoveries and the precious objects acquired," said His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and President and patron of ADMAF.
“The exhibition ‘Toys and Treasures’ contributes to the promotion of community awareness of the importance of acquisition in terms of culture, as a practice and as life experience. It highlights for individuals and groups the importance of their heritage in reaffirming their identity and maintaining their authenticity and traditional heritage," His Excellency added.
H.E. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation commented: “The art of collecting – whether within a museum, exhibition or one’s own home – has the ability to preserve our childhood memories and culture as well as cultivate a form of creative expression that is more accessible to the wider community. Filled with a beautiful array of toys, treasures and other memorabilia, this exhibition encapsulates ADMAF’s mission to make art accessible to the wider community and nurture the creative spirit in new and original forms.”
The exhibition will open on May 29 at Ghaf Gallery and continues until June 19. From spinners to scooters, barbies to buses and puppets to postcards, visitors will explore an array of toys and treasures that weave personal stories and represent individual collectors’ passions, as well as desires to connect to their respective cultural heritage.
‘Toys and Treasures - Toy Box to Treasure Chest: The Art of Collecting’ is a free to attend exhibition hosted at Ghaf Art Gallery, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, from Wednesday May 29 until Wednesday June 19. Opening hours are Sunday-Thursday 10am-2pm, 4pm-8pm;Saturday 10am-8pm. Ladies Night is on 4 June from 4-8pm.
Performances & Workshops
Free admission. To register, email education@admaf.org
1 June, 11am-12pm: Sock Puppet Workshop (for 5-8 years)
1 June, 4-5pm: ‘Aladdin’ by Golden Fox Puppet Theatre
8 June, 10am-2.30pm: Puppet Workshop (for 9-12 years)
8 June, 3-4pm: ‘Aladdin’ by Golden Fox Puppet Theatre
15 June, 11am-1pm: ‘Aladdin’ by Golden Fox Puppet Theatre, with trivia quiz & meet the puppets
15 June, 3pm-5pm: ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ by Golden Fox Puppet Theatre, with trivia quiz & meet the puppets
For more information, visit www.admaf.org
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About ADMAF
The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation seeks to nurture the arts, education, culture and creativity for the benefit of society and the advancement of Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision. Established in 1996 by Her Excellency Hoda I. Al Khamis Kanoo, ADMAF Founder, the Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation under the patronage and presidency of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.
ADMAF’s broad programme of initiatives and events - including the Abu Dhabi Festival and Young Media Leaders, The Nationals’ Gallery and The Artists’ Studio, among many others - brings together audiences of all ages and nationalities. Through its educational and community programmes, it nurtures the creative talent of the UAE and beyond, often in partnership with leading national and international institutions.
For more information please visit our website at:
About the International Museum Day:
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society. Momentum has been rising unabated ever since. In 2012, International Museum Day garnered record‐breaking participation with almost 32,000museums hosting events in more than 129 countries.
Ghaf Art Gallery, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street
