Today’s New York Times reports not once but twice about a planned arts supercomplex in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The articles cover all the art hot topics of the day: the pros and cons of the development, east meets west, the Bilbao effect, art as franchise is good or bad, and art as global or home-grown activity. But the real thrill of the article is the rendering of Zaha Hadid’s contribution: a crazy, snakelike performing arts center. The image borders on completely-surreal without edging into acid-trip (while getting oh, so close).

[Photos by Tropolism]

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