Courtesy Agence France-Muséums

A rendering of the exterior of the Jean Nouvel building

Courtesy Agence France-Muséums

A major feature of the space will be a constantly shifting light-filtration system meant to recall water or shadows from a tree or trellis.

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However, it was not cultural gift-giving that had brought President Nicolas Sarkozy to Abu Dhabi. He had arrived in the UAE capital four days before to chair a security conference and to open France’s first new overseas military base in 50 years. The Gallic nation has long had strategic interests in the UAE and plans to build two nuclear reactors there.