The Dome in Contemporary Monuments of the UAE between Tradition and Postmodernity

Abstract

Recently constructed cultural and religious complexes in Abu Dhabi display the clear references to Islamic ornament and the ‘dome’ as a symbolic element. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque best manifests this through its cascade of domes and ornament. The Grand Mosque has become one of the most visited spaces in the city, which necessitated the creation of a processional underground route to organize its visitation process. Another example is Qasr Al Watan, which recently, in 2019, opened to the public, its white domes and Islamic ornament render it a popular site of visitation. The palatial complex has been equipped with a tourist center, gift shop and buses that transport its visitors. Qasr Al Watan’s domes, arches and ornaments are constructed with to reflect on known historical precedents. Taken together with Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Emirates Palace, they reflect a comeback of postmodernism in Abu Dhabi. This paper focuses on cultural/religious buildings that exhibit ‘Domes’ and Islamic ornament with clear references to the historical precedents.