Brooklyn-based artist KAWS has unveiled a monumental 32-meter sculpture titled "KAWS:HOLIDAY Abu Dhabi" along Abu Dhabi's waterfront, featuring his signature Companion figure holding a glowing moon. The installation, created in collaboration with long-time partner AllRightsReserved, stretches across the edge of Mina Zayed and represents the newest addition to the artist's global series of large-scale public sculptures.
The sculpture serves as a centerpiece for Manar Abu Dhabi 2025, the citywide light art exhibition organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. Now in its second edition, Manar brings together 22 site-specific works by 15 Emirati and international artists across the emirate under the theme "The Light Compass." The KAWS installation will remain on display until January 4th, 2026.
Positioned against the reflective Gulf waters and Abu Dhabi's illuminated skyline, the reclining Companion figure holds a radiant full moon close to its chest, creating a striking visual metaphor. The artwork draws inspiration from the region's maritime heritage, when traditional dhows relied on constellations and moonlight to navigate long before GPS technology. The soft glow of the moon diffuses onto the water, scattering light across the harbor and connecting to the lantern-lit origins of the installation's debut.
Despite its massive scale, the sculpture creates an unexpectedly intimate experience for visitors. The Companion's posture, with arms curled and legs slightly bent, brings a sense of stillness rarely associated with works of this magnitude. Visitors encounter the piece almost at eye level, framed by palm trees and the long horizontal sweep of the pier. The surrounding lights create a ring of illumination around the sculpture, amplifying the moon's luminosity while anchoring the figure within the fabric of Mina port.
As one of the central works presented at Souq Al Mina, the sculpture stands apart from other installations at Jubail Island or the shaded trails of Al Ain, yet remains fully connected to Manar's focus on orientation and spatial memory. The water reflects the moon's glow, transforming the entire waterfront into part of the installation and creating a dialogue between the artwork and its environment.
The installation exemplifies the broader exhibition's exploration of light, scale, and imagination across the emirate. Other participating artists include Shaikha Al Mazrou, DRIFT, Ezequiel Pini (Six N. Five), Pamela Tan, and Lachlan Turczan, who introduce parallel approaches to light as both material and compass. At night, the moon appears almost within reach, nestled between the Companion's hands, while the Abu Dhabi skyline's lights flicker in response, creating a luminous dialogue that reinforces the artistic thread uniting Manar Abu Dhabi's second edition.
