The Dubai Metro has revolutionised travel within the city. Commuters no longer have to wait two hours in traffic jams but just two minutes for the next train. And now, thanks to a collaboration with the Road Traffic Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) our journey will be made that much more interesting with the transformation of six Dubai Metro stations with local artists turning them into creative galleries.
The project is said to cost Dhs184 million and hopes to give the commuter an educational and more enjoyable train ride. Chairman and Executive Director of RTA, Mattar Al Tayer said: “The project will be particularly appealing to Dubai Metro riders and add an aesthetic dimension to Dubai Metro stations which are mainly designed to be unique architectural showpiece characterising Dubai Metro, contributing to achieving RTA’s strategic objectives of increasing the number of mass transit ridership.”
The six lucky stations to get an artisitc makeover are: BurJuman station, which will be transformed into an arts and music gallery; Emirates Towers, which will be graced with Islamic decorations and manuscripts; Financial Centre station which be transformed into a coin gallery; Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall, the popular station will be host to an e-library and finally Business Bay will be a photographic gallery.
The creative vision doesn’t stop there. In addition to the six galleries, there will be performances, light shows and also 3D shows at the stations.
The project is set for completion in March 2015 (just in time for Art Dubai) and will once again put Dubai on the map for supporting arts and culture in the region.
The Minister of Health and Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Abdul Rahman Al Owais, said: “We are excited to proceed ahead with the RTA so that we can together add more glamour and elegance to our city through artistic touches illustrating the rich, innovative and unique cultural fabric of Dubai.”
Commuting has never been so exciting or creative.
Image: Dubai Media Office
