Abu Dhabi Festival Honours The Artist Christo With A Prestigious Award

In an award ceremony in Paris, Abu Dhabi Festival honoured the artist Christo, a world-renowned conceptual artist known for his many iconic environmental artworks, with the prestigious Abu Dhabi Festival Award, designed and created by Maison Chopard, for his remarkable work and lifetime of extraordinary contributions to the arts and culture. 

Presenting the award was HE. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival. She was joined by His Excellency Salem Al Qassimi, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, and Christo’s nephew Vladimir Yavacheff, who accepted the award on his uncle’s behalf. 

H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo said, “Christo was an artistic genius, a generous spirit, and an inspiring teacher. Throughout his life, he and his wife Jeanne-Claude accomplished projects that seemed impossible. With boundless tenacity, they persevered, determined to share their creative vision with the world.”

“Each time Christo realized a new project, he redefined what the world thought of as public art. He will forever be remembered for his amazing creative work, but also for his support of young people and for encouraging them to develop their creativity,” she added.

“During his long creative relationship with the UAE, Christo gave of himself so generously. His mentorship helped shape the careers of many creative youths in the Emirates. The Christo Award, established together with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, will continue to nurture young artists for generations to come.”

“The Abu Dhabi Festival Award recognizes Christo’s invaluable contributions to visual art and the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind,” H.E. concluded. 

H.E. Hend Mana Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to France, said: “The honouring of the late prominent artist Christo and his rich legacy by Abu Dhabi Festival in Paris reflects the Emirati appreciation for creativity through recognising innovators from different parts of the world. It also confirms Abu Dhabi’s global status in culture and the arts and its role in celebrating great talents worldwide.” 

Her Excellency Al Otaiba praised Abu Dhabi Festival’s efforts in supporting and strengthening the soft power strategy of the United Arab Emirates through many cultural and artistic events and exhibitions, which contribute to the consolidation of diplomatic relations with other countries and crystallise the UAE's mission to cultivate a spirit of tolerance and coexistence among civilisations.

H.E. Salem Al Qassimi, the United Arab Emirates’ Permanent Representative to UNESCO, said “The Abu Dhabi Festival Award is a testament to the cultural footprint left behind by the late Christo and his wife Jeanne-Claude, who reimagined the boundaries of public art through selfless dedication and creativity. Christo’s ingenuity has a special place in the UAE’s cultural landscape, and the Christo & Jeanne-Claude Award, presented under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, will continue to honor this legacy through supporting young talents in the UAE in producing compelling artistic work.  

"Christo's long friendship with H.E. Huda Kanoo was very much based on their love and appreciation of the arts so this award is very significant.", explains Vladimir Yavachev, project director of L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped, Paris, 1961-2021. "Together, they worked to encourage and support art in public spaces in future generations through the NYUAD award and lectures, which united communities, especially through the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation founded by H.E. Huda Kanoo. I want to thank her warmly for her friendship with Christo and for continuing her work tirelessly to promote a common goal". 

“L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped” is Christo’s latest work, a dream that took 60 years to realize, which became a reality almost a year after his death at the age of 84. Around 270,000 square feet of shimmering silvery-blue fabric now covers the entire iconic Parisian monument.

The Abu Dhabi Festival Award, which has become synonymous with cultural excellence, was inaugurated in 2012, and is annually bestowed upon individuals for their exceptional contributions to the arts. 

During his lifetime, Christo visited the United Arab Emirates regularly and was very fond of its culture. He had a passion to empower young talents in the field of visual art, a passion strongly shared by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF). In 2012, the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award was established under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan. It is presented by New York University Abu Dhabi in partnership with ADMAF to nurture artistic talent in the United Arab Emirates. 

Abu Dhabi Festival is supported by its Lead Partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), the Energy Partner GS Energy, and the Award Partner, Chopard.