How Abu Dhabi’s Umm Al Emarat Park is Turning Art into a Playground
Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi has transformed into an imaginative outdoor canvas with the launch of the "How the World Feels" Children's Biennale. Running from November 6 to December 6, this unique exhibition moves away from the traditional "look but don't touch" museum experience, instead inviting children to become active participants. Curator Dana Al Mazrouei explains that the core philosophy is to place children at the center of the creative process, encouraging them to shape, change, and interact with eight distinct installations that challenge their perceptions of the world around them.
The exhibition features a diverse array of works that turn nature and curiosity into play, from crawling through giant honeycomb structures that explore the secret lives of bees to braiding ropes on abstract sculptures that resemble coral or ancient bones. Families are encouraged to contribute to the evolving art, such as leaving wishes for the future on a specially designed tree or adding personal threads to woven textile nets. By blending tactile elements with sound-based installations and larger-than-life sculptures—like a massive desert jerboa—the biennale successfully bridges the gap between passive viewing and hands-on discovery. It serves as a timely reminder of the importance of disconnecting from screens and re-engaging with the natural world through wonder and creativity.