
RIWAQ AL FIKR ADMAF TALKS
Contempory Art From Korea 1960's - Today
16 May - 30 June 2025
Curated by KYUNG-HWAN YEO and MAYA EL KHALIL
Inspiring audiences through conversations with legendary artists, performers, and thinkers. Riwaq Al Fikr is a series of online and in-person talks and lectures for students at campuses across the nation, where they can hear from world-renowned musicians, composers, conductors, thought leaders and industry experts.
Japanese Architect and 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, Riken Yamamoto, will feature in this year’s Riwaq Al Fikr series as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2025.

Crafting Tomorrow: Riken Yamamoto’s Architectural Journey
In this talk, Riken Yamamoto, the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, explored the transformative power of architecture in shaping communities. He discussed key themes such as sustainability, intergenerational living, human-centered design, and the integration of public and private spaces. Drawing from his diverse portfolio, Yamamoto examined how architecture can address societal challenges like aging populations and disaster recovery while fostering cultural identity and community engagement. Highlighting innovative projects in education, public spaces, and housing, Yamamoto shared his vision of architecture as a tool for positive, lasting societal change.
Public Program "Layered Dialogues"
Location: Multipurpose space within the exhibition area, Gallery S, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
Friday May 16th
5pm - 6pm
Curatorial discussion: Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits
Kyunghwan Yeo, Co-curator
Maya El Khalil, Co-curator
Byungjun Kwon, artist
Choi Goen, artist
6.15pm - 7.15pm
Exhibition design as a medium
Exhibition designers Formafantasma’s Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin in conversation with co-curators Kyunghwan Yeo & Maya El Khalil
Saturday May 17th
5.30-7.30pm
Film screening: Nam June Paik: Moon Is The Oldest TV, 2023
Featuring a captivating showcase of his work, this documentary profiles the career of Nam June Paik and his pioneering contributions to video art. Directed by Amanda Kim.
Thursday May 29th
Body as a medium
To be announced
Thursday, June 12th
Identity as a medium
To be announced
Friday June 20th
Space as a medium
To be announced