Expo 2020 Dubai: Public Art Programme
20 October 2025
Substantial contemporary artworks by visionary and leading artists will be positioned along a path across the site of Expo 2020 Dubai that creates a narrative of concepts, ideas and aesthetics – a creative journey that sets the tone for the site of Expo 2020, encouraging innovative thinking and imagination of the visitors.
This narrative takes inspiration from the famous Arab mathematician, astronomer, and physicist Ibn al Haytham’s seminal work, “Book of Optics” (c. 11th century) and allows an exploration of his theories on visual perception, his definitions of vision, recognition and the impossibility of envisioning a full picture of reality within oneself, without the power of imagination.
Aligning with the ambitious urban plans of the Expo 2020 site to be repurposed and developed into a two million square meter ‘city’ called District 2020, the public art programme will create an important platform for contemporary art in the neighbourhood with permanent public art works interwoven within the urban fabric of the district.
With Hamra Abbas, Afra Al Dhaheri, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Monira Al Qadiri, Abdullah Al Saadi, Asma Belhamar, Olafur Eliasson, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Khalil Rabah, Yinka Shonibare CBE (RA), Haegue Yang
Curator: Tarek Abou El Fetouh

