For the 2015 edition of Abu Dhabi Art, KHALID SHAFAR partnered with Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club to unveil THE CABIN, an installation that blended historical narrative with architectural ingenuity. Inspired by an old black and white photograph in the yacht club manager’s office, the installation depicted a ship once gifted by Kuwait in the early 70s and used by former president, the late Sheikh Zayed, for viewing sailing races and hosting gatherings.

THE CABIN immersed visitors in an experience that straddled the line between sea and shore. Its cylindrical structure, clad in teak, symbolised the ship that had never sailed. Upon entering, visitors were met with a ground mimicking desert sands, encircled by hues of blue, evoking the sensation of standing by the seashore.

Above, the ceiling crafted from 418 wool Agaals, intricately interconnected, represented the assembly of men who historically gathered aboard the ship. This reinterpretation of a men-only gathering space offered a modern reflection on historical assemblies. Transforming a simple viewing platform into an interactive realm, THE CABIN acted as a portal to a history both observed and untold, allowing visitors to delve into the depths of cultural and historical strata through a contemporary design lens.

Collaboration Partner: Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club
Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Year: 2015