THE PEARL OF MARAWAH
Concept
All that we know once emerged from water. It was the ocean that cradled the origins of life, guiding it towards the unknown, towards evolution, towards us. This sculpture is a tribute to a treasure born in its depths: A pearl, The Pearl of Marawah. A symbol of identity that reminds the bounding of Abu Dhabi and its people to the sea and this territory, while honoring a tradition that stretches back thousands of years.
At the peak, held delicately between them, a single sphere—a pearl. Not just any pearl, but one that recalls the ancient shores of Abu Dhabi. Like the pearl divers of the past, this gesture honors the act of surfacing something precious, something eternal.
These hands, sculpted in alabaster, elevate with noble strength. Their smooth surfaces reveal subtle veins, organic patterns imprinted by time and nature. The stone holds light within it, glowing softly by day, while becoming radiant from within at night; a vessel of light, as if the very spirit of the sea pulses through its form.
Rising from the waters of the Abu Dhabi coast, this sculpture becomes an majestic landmark within the city’s expanding network of cultural and artistic sites. Visible from key points across the city, it connects sea and skyline, anchoring itself within the visual rhythm of the capital’s evolving skyline. It reinforces the Emirats’s capital status as a global hub for art, extending its creative presence beyond the shore and weaving itself into the wider circuit of cultural institutions that celebrate heritage, innovation, and art.
With 130 meters tall, The Pearl of Marawah is not only a monument for Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf; it is a global landmark. A beacon of continuity, that reveals the past and the future, land and water, effort and grace. It reminds us that we are rooted, yet rising. That in returning to what is most essential of ourselves, we find the strength to reach farther together. This sculpture embodies a story of resilience, heritage, and evolution. Standing proud before the world, it reminds us the wise echoes of the past that continue to guide us forward.
The Pearl of Marawah, dubbed the ‘Abu Dhabi Pearl’, was found in layers carbon dated to 5800-5600 BCE, during the Neolithic period just off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
The Pearl of Marawah
A legacy raised to the sky
At the heart of this landmark lies The Pearl of Marawah—the oldest natural pearl ever discovered in the region. Its name now crowns the sculpture, not only as a title, but as a guiding symbol. Like the ancient pearl lifted from the seabed after millennia, the sculpture rises from the waters as a gesture of reverence—a tribute to resilience, permanence, and beauty unearthed. It embodies the essence of something rare and timeless, surfacing from the depths to remind us of the enduring connection between land, sea, and memory.
The sphere that crowns the sculpture evokes the treasured pearls once gathered from the Arabian Gulf, an homage to the pearl divers who shaped the region’s early identity. Their hands, reaching into the unknown, mirror the ascending hands of the sculpture—lifting not just an object, but a legacy. The pearl becomes more than a historical reference; it emerges as a beacon of continuity, linking the lived experiences of the past with the aspirations of the present. In its form, it reflects both sky and sea, heritage and possibility.
More than a tribute, The Pearl of Marawah is a cultural compass—rooted in the stories of the Emirates, but reaching outward to the world. Its presence invites reflection on what we choose to honor, preserve, and elevate. For the people of Abu Dhabi, it reaffirms a lineage that stretches back to the dawn of human history. For visitors, it offers a moment of awe and recognition—a symbol that, even in its stillness, continues to rise.
Mangrooves: The silent alchemists of life
Connection with the Gulf
Emerging from the waters of the Arabian Gulf, The Pearl of Marawah mirrors the resilience of Abu Dhabi’s coastal landscape, where mangroves stand as guardians of life—anchored in water, yet reaching for the sky. Just as these intricate roots draw strength from the sea to sustain and nurture the land, the sculpture channels the unseen currents of energy that have long shaped this region. Rising in a fluid motion, its twisting forms echo the organic dance of mangrove branches swaying with the tide, transforming raw force into balance, stability, and renewal.
At its core, The Pearl of Marawah is more than a structure; it is a living connection between nature and progress. The sculpture embodies the spirit of transformation—just as Abu Dhabi has evolved from its seafaring heritage into a beacon of culture and innovation. As daylight passes through its alabaster surfaces, the interplay of light and shadow reflects the ever-changing horizon of the Gulf, a visual symphony that shifts with time. By night, its illuminated core becomes a radiant symbol of consciousness, much like the shimmering city skyline it stands alongside—a reminder of how tradition and modernity can exist in perfect harmony.
Rooted in the water yet designed to elevate human experience, The Pearl of Marawah serves as a landmark of inspiration. Like the mangroves that sustain entire ecosystems, this installation fosters a sense of unity and collective ascension. The mirrored sphere it holds aloft captures both the city and the sea, a vision of the world as one—where people, like nature, rise when they grow together. A tribute to the power of connection, it invites visitors to embark on a journey, stepping into a space where energy, art, and environment converge in a singular, immersive experience.
The Legacy of Energy
The elevating force of a timeless symbol
The transformation of the existing energy tower into The pearl of Marawah is a process of reinterpreting infrastructure as sculpture, breathing new life into a structure that once served as a conduit for power. The deconstruction begins by stripping the tower down to its essence, removing the rigid framework of electrical transmission to reveal the underlying geometry of its steel lattice. Through a process of twisting and reforming, its rigid, angular structure is softened, reimagined as an organic form that echoes the fluidity of nature. Like the rhythmic motion of waves and the wind-sculpted curves of the desert, the tower’s rigid lines begin to spiral upward, shifting from pure functionality to an expression of movement and energy.
As the tower ascends, its metamorphosis reaches its most symbolic moment—the emergence of hands. These hands, formed from the very skeleton of the former pylon, embody the energy of creation, the human will to shape and build, and the act of rising together. Just as the roots of the mangrove draw strength from the sea, the lattice structure evolves, stretching toward the sky in an intricate dance of balance and transformation. No longer just a structure of steel, it becomes a universal symbol of progress, where past and future converge in a gesture of ascension, unity, and purpose.
A Emblem of Art Beyond the Shore
Integration with Abu Dhabi’s artistic vision
Rising from the waters of the Arabian Gulf, The Pearl of Marawah becomes a defining landmark in Abu Dhabi’s cultural and artistic landscape. Positioned between the capital’s major islands, it extends the emirate’s creative presence beyond the shore—a beacon of identity and imagination anchored in the sea. In harmony with the city’s constellation of cultural sites, this sculpture reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for art, where nature, architecture, and vision converge.
Visible from key vantage points across the city, The Pearl of Marawah draws the gaze of residents, travelers, and art enthusiasts alike. Its reflective surfaces respond to the shifting light of the Gulf, echoing the movement of the tides and the rhythm of Abu Dhabi’s evolving skyline. As a cultural marker, it captures the spirit of place while connecting to something universal—further embedding public art into both the natural and urban fabric of the region.
The sculpture stands as a symbol of transformation and memory. Extending the city’s artistic dialogue into the sea, it reclaims the structure of a former energy pylon and elevates it into a luminous gesture—linking land, water, and sky. Through its presence, the sculpture affirms Abu Dhabi’s vision of art as a living force—one that shapes not only space, but also identity, imagination, and the way we connect to the world around us.
Zawjan: The dance of duality
Creation in balance - Pairs in motion
The Pearl of Marawah embodies Zawj (زوج)—the divine principle that all things exist in pairs. The Qur’an states, “And of everything We have created pairs, that you may reflect” (51:49). The sculpture’s two ascending hands, distinct yet intertwined, symbolize balance, strength and grace, earth and sky, past and future, masculine and femenine. They do not oppose but uplift each other, reflecting the harmony found in creation.
The structure of this sculpture embodies duality and balance. Their spiraling motion reflects the interconnection of opposites: strength and fluidity, stability and motion. As they rise, they support and elevate each other, symbolizing unity. At their peak, they cradle a sphere, a culmination of balance, where harmony leads to ascension.
At its peak, the mirrored sphere unites these forces, reflecting the world as one. Sea and sky merge, light and shadow dance, reminding us that true progress comes from balance. The Pearl of Marawah is a testament to the power of connection—when opposites come together, they create something greater than themselves.
A Beacon of Heritage, Innovation, and Unity
Cultural and conceptual significance
The Pearl of Marawah is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s evolving identity—a city that honors its deep-rooted past while shaping a visionary future. This sculpture transforms a former energy pylon into a poetic form, reinforcing the emirate’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cultural legacy. Rising from the waters of the Arabian Gulf, it extends the city’s artistic presence into the sea, turning the coastline into a canvas where history, environment, and imagination converge. In line with Abu Dhabi’s role as a global center for art and dialogue, The Pearl of Marawah emerges as a landmark that deepens the connection between people, place, and meaning.
Its design expresses the strength of collective creation, embodied in two hands lifting a sphere—a gesture of unity, aspiration, and reverence. The materials chosen reflect a dialogue between tradition and technology: alabaster lends warmth and translucency, while the mirrored pearl captures and reframes its surroundings. It invites not only visual reflection, but a moment of inward stillness. By day, the sculpture glows with quiet presence; by night, it becomes a shimmering point of orientation, echoing the city’s belief that art is not an ornament, but a force that reveals who we are—and who we can become.
Parts of the Sculpture
Floating Platform - The place where the visitors arrive when they come out of the boat. People can go around the sculpture and feel the scale above before entering.
Entrance Hall - This is the reception area where the inmensity of the sculpture is felt from inside. The light that comes through the alabaster gives it a very special atmosphere.
Lower Floor Making Of: The Pearl of Marawah - An exhibition space that shows behind the scenes of building the sculpture.
Middle Floor Cultural & Tourism Hub of Abu Dhabi - An exhibition space that talks about Abu Dhabi and the development of the city.
Upper Floor 360º Observatory - The upper part of the sphere offers a panoramic view of Abu Dhabi’s coast in a wide space.
Vertical Connections - These elements form the structural core and serve as the primary circulation path for visitors, who ascend and descend through glass elevators, offering a striking and immersive experience throughout the journey.
Bubbles - Inside the pearl, there are seven different mirrored bubbles that appear to the visitor when descending, symbolizing the 7 Emirates.
Ramp - Inside the pearl, the journey through the space is given throughout a descending ramp suspended in the inner borders of the sphere.
Visitor’s Guide
A Journey Beyond Time
Where tradition meets innovation
Beyond viewing the sculpture from a distance, visitors will embark on an experiential journey that begins aboard a traditional dhow—a vessel deeply tied to the Arabian Gulf’s heritage of pearl diving, fishing, and trade. Departing from the vibrant Saadiyat Cultural District, a hub frequented by both locals and visitors, the boat ride ensures easy accessibility, reinforcing the district’s role as an inclusive public art experience. The proximity and connectivity to Al Maryah’s financial district further strengthen its significance within the urban fabric.
Upon arrival at the platform, an astonishing view unveils itself, setting the stage for an immersive experience. Entering the structure, visitors step into a vast, ethereal space where translucent alabaster diffuses light, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. At the core, three elevators rise as a central nucleus, encircled by emergency stairs. The ambiance is celestial, evoking the sensation of being inside a salt cathedral—a space that transcends the ordinary, inviting contemplation and awe.
Inside the Pearl
The secrets to be found
Inside The Pearl, the crystal sphere captures and refracts light, filling the space with shimmering reflections that shift throughout the day. The interplay of transparency and brilliance creates an ethereal glow, immersing visitors in a luminous atmosphere that feels both vast and weightless, while a three-level journey unfolds:
Upper Floor: The Observatory
A 360º Panoramic Experience
At the summit, visitors step into a breathtaking 360º observatory, offering uninterrupted views of Abu Dhabi’s skyline, the Arabian Gulf, and the desert beyond.
Middle Floor
Cultural & Tourism Hub of Abu Dhabi
This level immerses visitors in Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage and modern evolution, with sensory experiences showcasing the emirate’s key landmarks, traditions, and tourism.
Lower Floor
Museographic Space – The Making of The Rise
A fully interactive museum space reveals the story behind The Pearl through timelapse videos, digital panels, and 3D models that showcase its concept, design, and construction.
“We are rooted, yet always rising.”
Lorenzo Quinn