TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi receives ¥1bn in sponsorship deal from Japan’s Inpex Corporation

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Inpex Corporation (Inpex), through its subsidiary Japan Oil Development (JODCO), for a ¥1bn sponsorship deal for teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi.

The experiential art space is being developed by DCT Abu Dhabi in partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Miral, and Tokyo-based international art collective teamLab.

teamLab Phenomena is located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, which is also home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat.

The district also hosts several key cultural projects that are being developed, including Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

Progress on teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is set to be an immersive, inspirational space at the intersection of art and technology, igniting curiosity, imagination, and creativity in all who visit.

Visitors and residents will be able to access the unique experience after construction has been completed in 2024.

The 17,000sqm (GFA) teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi building is being created with innovative installations, created through an extensive experimentation process.

Read: teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is 25% complete: DCT Abu Dhabi, Miral

A productive partnership

 Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The UAE’s longstanding ties with Japan span several generations over half a century. Now, this partnership will allow us to inspire a new generation, heralding a new era of knowledge exchange and collaboration.

“This will present new opportunities to engage youth and unlock the potential of the younger generations. I look forward to working together to fuel curiosity, ignite imagination, and spark the ideas of the future.”

Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “As we make excellent progress with the construction of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, we are delighted to announce a multiyear sponsorship that will act as a catalyst for future collaborations.

“This MoU demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness and attractiveness as a destination for commercial partnerships that progress the emirate, add mutual value, and enrich lives.”

Takayuki Ueda, president and CEO of Inpex: “We are delighted to be sponsoring teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi as part of our educational, cultural, and environmental activities supporting the core energy business of our subsidiary JODCO, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

“teamLab’s inspiring work truly cannot be described in words, and we look forward to bringing Emirati children and youth to the art space upon its completion to help nurture and enhance their curiosity, imagination, and creativity. Meanwhile, we look forward to supplying low-carbon energy solutions to Japan and other countries in partnership with Abu Dhabi over the next 50 years, and further enhancing the collaboration between the UAE and Japan through social responsibility programmes.”

As part of the MoU, JODCO has agreed to sponsor teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, contributing to the enrichment of the UAE’s cultural landscape, and will pursue the execution of an official sponsorship agreement following discussions on specific terms.

After the opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the company intends to invite Emirati youth to the art space to contribute to the development of their curiosity and imagination.

We’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INPEX CORPORATION (INPEX), through its subsidiary Japan Oil Development, Co., Ltd. (JODCO), for sponsorship of the upcoming teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/oSzOoB7gwF

— Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (@dctabudhabi) February 23, 2023

Speaking to Gulf Business in an earlier interview on projects that Miral is working on, including teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, group CEO of Miral, said: “At Miral, we never stop asking, ‘what’s next?’. For example, we are currently working on landmark projects that will change the cultural landscape of the country – forever. Next year, we will open SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The next-generation marine-life theme park will be the Middle East’s largest multi-species marine-life aquarium and will feature the UAE’s first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre.

“The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will showcase some of the rarest natural history specimens ever found on the planet, is due to be completed in 2025 and is expected to attract domestic and international visitors alike. It is already 25 per cent complete. Another exciting concept will be teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, a multi-sensory art experience that will be a ‘home for infinite curiosity’, featuring original and constantly transforming artistic installations that are unique to Abu Dhabi.”

Also read: Cover feature: How Miral is transforming Abu Dhabi with its grand vision

“We’ve also revealed that a Harry Potter-themed land, a first for the Middle East will be coming to Yas Island, within the world’s largest indoor theme park, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.” The project, Al Zaabi explains, is in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery,” he added.