MONUMENTAL TRIBUTE TO A NATION’S FOUNDING FATHER
‘Our history began with Zayed and our future will continue bearing his fingerprint’
A new “monumental artwork” to honour the life of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, was unveiled last night.
The Founder’s Memorial is the centrepiece of a site on Abu Dhabi Corniche that was opened to coincide with the Year of Zayed in a ceremony attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, along with other rulers and leaders.
“The Founder’s Memorial is a huge effort that’s been in the works for many years now,” said Faris Al Mazrouei, before the event. He is the general manager of the Founder’s Office, which is responsible for ensuring the success of 2018 and the Year of Zayed.
The three-dimensional work was designed by American artist Ralph Helmick. Titled The
Constellation, it is made up of more than a 1,000 geometric shapes suspended on cables that shine like stars at night. This evokes the timelessness of Sheikh Zayed’s vision as a guiding light for the UAE and can be experienced differently from different angles and viewing points.
“It was chosen to commemorate him, to remind the previous generation about the achievements of Sheikh Zayed, the milestones he established in this country,” Mr Mazrouei said. “And to educate the new generation that knows of him, but doesn’t know a lot about Sheikh Zayed.
“They recognise him as a leader – but it’s always different when we relate to him. We’ve lived during his time, but the new generation? It’s one of our responsibilities to make sure that they see and capture the achievements and the developments that took place; his values as a leader that we are continuing.”
Since the beginning of the year, the Founder’s Office has received more than 600 proposals for events and initiatives for the Year of Zayed.
“The people of the UAE will be happy with this new monument because everyone has a story of Zayed. Every citizen has a heart that loves Zayed. Our history began with Zayed and our future will continue bearing his fingerprint, his value and memory forever,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said.
Beloved by all his people, the face of Sheikh Zayed once again looked out across the city of Abu Dhabi last night with the official opening of a new art installation to mark the centenary of his birth.
Composed of more than 1,000 illuminated shapes, the Founder’s Memorial recreates a likeness of the Founding Father revealed in points of light. The artwork is the centrepiece of a site on the Abu Dhabi Corniche and is being opened to coincide with the Year of Zayed.
The unveiling was watched by his son, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who was joined by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and other members of the UAE’s Ruling Families.
The monumental, three-dimensional work has been created by the American sculptor and public artist Ralph Helmick. Titled The Constellation, the shapes are illuminated at night.
It is designed to be experienced differently from many viewing points around the memorial and from other areas, offering a series of infinitely evolving personal encounters with his image.
The Constellation is made up of more than 1,300 geometric shapes suspended on over 1,000 cables. At night these shapes shine like stars, evoking the timelessness of Sheikh Zayed’s vision as a guiding light for his people. It is a memorial unlike any other, breathing life into the image of the nation’s first Ruler.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid called the memorial “an important message that links future generations to the memory of the leader who laid the foundations of the nation”.
“It is a message that the youth must absorb and work to achieve in various sectors to continue the process initiated by Zayed and the UAE’s founders, and to build the future of a country that wants its citizens always to excel,” he said.
The site will open to the public in spring, according to the event commentary.
“The memorial will open its doors to the public this spring and we welcome you to explore it so you can get images of pride and wisdom drawn from his ideas and noble values,” it said.
When it does open, the attraction will include a visitors’ centre celebrating the life of Sheikh Zayed, and gardens with trees and plants indigenous to the UAE.
A walkway will offer views of The Constellation and the skyline of Abu Dhabi.
Images were projected on a large screen covering the memorial, including an homage to the original, 35-metre-tall portrait of Sheikh Zayed painted by Pakistani artist Liaquat Ali Khan, which was displayed on the site since at least the turn of the millennium.
The opening ceremony included computer-generated imagery that brought to life some of the most famous images of Sheikh Zayed on the same screen, including the portrait of the former President as a young man, taken by the noted British explorer Wilfred Thesiger, and a later image of Sheikh Zayed with a single rose.
“As Sheikh Zayed grew up in the desert, he stared at the sand and imagined a different future, and the dream started developing into a reality in 1971. He is the father of everyone,” the commentary said.
The show included scenes of the seven emirates as they were more than half a century ago. They transformed into the country as it is today: people running under the dome of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Oasis and children flying kites. A 40-strong choir performed
Allah Ya Dar Zayed, as well as new arrangements of other traditional songs and music, and a touching compilation of Sheikh Zayed’s performances of the traditional Yola dance.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said the memorial would help people to understand how the happiness of his countrymen was Sheikh Zayed’s only goal.
“He instilled the values of hard work, giving and dedication in his people, inspiring them to take the country to new heights under the leadership of the President, Sheikh Khalifa,” he said.
“Our connection with Zayed was that of a father to his son, a leader to his people and a man to his homeland. It is a close connection, an extension of the love of the founder of our union, which has grown over the years.
“We pride ourselves on this love and hand it down to future generations.”
As the screen was pulled to unveil the memorial, the commentary said: “This memorial is the story of a father who left an immortal inheritance. This artistic structure talks to the stars in the sky to guide us, the artwork enables us to connect with a character who inspired leaders and helped us to move forward. He gave us everything.”
After the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid took to Twitter to express his happiness with the memorial and to honour Sheikh Zayed.
“I am delighted today with my brother Mohammed bin Zayed and my brothers at the inauguration of the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi. Zayed is a national and international monument and he is at the heart of every Emirati and every lover of the UAE.
“The people of the UAE will be happy with this new monument because everyone has a story of Zayed. Every citizen has a heart that loves Zayed. Our history began with Zayed and our future will continue bearing his fingerprint, his value and memory forever.”
The Founder’s Memorial coincides with the Year of Zayed, declared by Sheikh Khalifa to mark 100 years since his father’s birth.