When starchitect Jean Nouvel said he “saw no problem” with the way migrant laborers were treated during the construction of Saadiyat Island, you have to wonder if he even looked.
Gulf Labor
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Gulf Labor Criticizes Guggenheim’s Silence on Migrant Workers’ Rights
Months have passed since the Guggenheim broke off six years of negotiations with the Gulf Labor Coalition over migrant workers’ rights in Abu Dhabi.
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Guggenheim and British Museum Refuse to Work with Human Rights Groups on Abu Dhabi Projects
Many reports have emerged of harsh labor conditions during the construction of museums on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, but the cultural institutions involved are showing no interest in discussing these violations with leading human rights groups.
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Guggenheim Breaks Off Negotiations with Gulf Labor Over Migrant Rights
On April 13, the Guggenheim Board of Trustees informed the Gulf Labor Coalition that it will no longer negotiate with the group regarding the living and working conditions of the workers who are and will be building its museum in Abu Dhabi.
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At Venice Biennale, Artists Stage a Pageant for Precarious Workers in Abu Dhabi
VENICE — When I arrived in Venice three weeks ago, I immediately headed to the tip of the Donsoduro to S.a.L.E. docks, a contemporary art space run by artist and activist Marco Baravalle. As part of its Biennale programming, the G.U.L.F. was set to have the Precarious Workers Pageant that evening.
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G.U.L.F. Occupies Israeli Pavilion in Venice, Calls for Cultural Boycott [UPDATED]
Yesterday the Gulf Labor Coalition, which is an official participant of the central exhibition of the 2015 Venice Biennale, and the G.U.L.F. (Gulf Ultra Luxury Faction) group staged a variety of protest actions at the international exhibition.
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Gulf Labor Hips Venice Biennale Visitors to UAE Labor Abuses
VENICE — On Wednesday the Gulf Labor Coalition held the first in a series of four panels it is organizing as part of the 2015 Venice Biennale.
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Hans Haacke on “Gift Horse,” Gulf Labor, and Artist Resale Royalties
Early last March, London’s Conservative mayor Boris Johnson unveiled Hans Haacke’s “Gift Horse,” the tenth commission installed on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth.
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French Museum Authority Confirms Worker Death at Louvre Abu Dhabi Site
The Agence France-Muséums has confirmed reports, brought to light recently by the activist and artist group Gulf Labor, that a 28-year-old Pakistani worker died on June 8 at the construction site of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi museum.
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As Third Member Is Refused Entry to UAE, Gulf Labor Renews Pressure on Guggenheim
The news that a third member of the Gulf Labor Artist Coalition was barred from entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has many people wondering what this means for the future of the Gulf nation’s growing art community.
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Artist Walid Raad Denied Entry into UAE, Becoming Third Gulf Labor Member Turned Away
Today, Hyperallergic spoke to artist Walid Raad, who informed us that three days ago he was denied entry to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he tried to attend the Sharjah Art Foundation’s March Meetings.
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The Guggenheim and Protesters Both Respond to #GuggOccupied in Venice
VENICE — Friday’s three-hour occupation of the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice by arts and activists organizations resulted in a brief meeting between a number of protesters and members of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection staff.