The wings of the Zayed National Museum in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi appear as sails suspended above the clouds, in exceptional visual shots blending reality and fantasy.

These works highlight the unique harmony between the modern architectural design of prominent landmarks and the seasonal climate phenomena in the UAE.

These images are the work of photographer Reem Abdullah, who showcased the architectural beauty of the Zayed National Museum's wings rising above a 'sea of fog', as she mentioned in an interview with CNN Arabic.

Reem Abdullah documented the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi in a series of images titled 'Wings Above the Fog'. Photo: © Reem Abdullah @Shmoo5z

The photographer explained that the five architectural structures appeared to float steadily and serenely, amidst a visual composition approaching abstract art.

The images are characterized by their abstract nature. Photo: © Reem Abdullah @Shmoo5z

The images combined her passion for architectural photography with her interest in documenting weather phenomena, especially those forming in Abu Dhabi, such as fog and winds that move massive cloud masses, making them appear as floating mountains.

The building's design is inspired by the shape of a falcon's wing in flight, according to the museum's official page on Instagram. Photo: © Reem Abdullah @Shmoo5z

Abdullah emphasized: 'These shots were not mere coincidence; they began as an artistic idea in my imagination. I wondered: what if these wings appeared as if they were actually flying? From there, I started visualizing this scene mentally.'

The museum looked distinctive amid the fog. Photo: © Reem Abdullah @Shmoo5z

Completing the work required intensive preparations and close monitoring of weather conditions, so that the timing coincided with fog density reaching 98%, a moment she described as ideal and rare.

During the shooting phase, the artist carefully highlighted the details of the steel wings, focusing on the contrast between light and shadows, and showing the soft intertwining of the fog, giving the scene an abstract character.

The museum was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners. Credit: Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP via Getty Images

The images received widespread interaction online.

The photographer believed that what most attracted viewers was 'the strangeness and rarity of the scene, along with the feeling that the image transcends reality toward fantasy, even though it is real.'

Prominent architectural landmarks in Abu Dhabi attract wide attention from photographers and creatives seeking to document their aesthetics with innovative artistic methods. These images highlight the ability to combine visual arts with observing rare natural phenomena to showcase the city's visual identity. The significant interaction with these shots proved the capacity of architectural photography content to capture public attention on digital platforms. This success underscores the importance of advance planning and artistic vision in transforming ordinary natural scenes into exceptional creative works.