Talks
In conversation with the Louvre Abu Dhabi
Manuel Rabaté, Kamini Sawhney
This episode of MAP’s series Director’s Cut features Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a new landmark to grace the art scene of the United Arab Emirates, and Rabaté has headed the institution in the position of Director since its inception in 2016. Built on Saadiyat Island, the institution boasts cutting edge architecture and design, with its structures forming a man-made art peninsula showcasing collections from around Europe and the Middle East. Championing universality, Rabaté’s mandate focuses on training the next generation of Emirati museum professionals and leaders and to reframe Abu Dhabi as a cultural centre for global audiences.
The Director’s Cut series, anchored by Kamini Sawhney, MAP’s director, offers a glimpse into how the institution of the museum is being reimagined and reinvented today and presents a unique opportunity to hear from reputed practitioners in museums around the world as they reflect on their institutional experiences, behind-the-scenes challenges, unique initiatives, and more.
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Manuel Rabaté
Director, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Manuel Rabaté has been Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi since 2016 and oversees all aspects of its operations and activity. Rabaté has worked on the museum since its inception, joining Agence France-Muséums a year after the signature of the intergovernmental agreement between France and Abu Dhabi, first as CFO, then Secretary General and CEO (2008-2016). Rabaté was Deputy Director of Cultural Development (2005-2008) of Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac for its opening, managing the launch of the museum’s first touring exhibitions. He is a graduate of Sciences Po (1998) and HEC Business School (2001), and a Knight of France’s National Order of Merit.
Kamini Sawhney
Director, MAP
Kamini Sawhney is the first Director of the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru. She has brought together a young, inspired team that is focused on creating a new museum experience for audiences in India.
In her earlier role, Kamini was the head of the Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation. Bringing institutions together in collaborative projects has been one of her special skills enabling audiences in India the opportunity to enjoy several exhibitions in collaboration with Tate, London, Foam, Amsterdam, the Duke University, Durham, the KNMA, New Delhi, and more. Sawhney was selected as one of the first candidates for the Brooks fellowship at Tate Modern, London in 2014 in collaboration with the Delfina Foundation.
In a previous avatar as journalist and television anchor, Kamini was the Bureau Chief of NDTV, Mumbai, one of India’s leading news channels where she reported on a whole range of events, both political and cultural.
