Mark your diaries for Art Dubai 2018.
Art Dubai 2018 will feature 105 galleries from 48 countries, making it the fair’s most globally diverse season with a host of activities, workshops and talks for the entire family. And if you’ve got only one day to see it all, here’s our guide to make the most of it.
The fair will be buzzing with events and activities all weekend. Art Dubai opens to the public on March 21 from 2-6.30pm (for the Global Art Forum), March 22 from 4-9.30pm, March 23 from 2-9.30pm and March 24 from 12-6.30pm.
Start the day with a thought-provoking session at the Global Art Forum
The Global Art Forum 2018 will focus on the power, paranoia and potentials of automation. Entitled “I Am Not a Robot”, the 12th edition of the transdisciplinary summit will be programmed by Commissioner Shumon Basar, with Chief Operating Officer and Futurist-in-Chief of the Dubai Future Foundation Noah Raford, and Curator of Digital Culture & Design Collection at the MAK, Vienna, Marlies Wirth, as Co-Directors.
From discussion on intelligence, cognition, and concepts of the self across cultures and species to fears of automation of human labour and the concept of Hyperstition, ponder over the reality of the not-so-distant future now at the sessions on March 21 from 2pm.
On March 22, join technology and art experts in a discussion on the notion of the cyborg using texts, how artists engaging with technologies of automation and a playful encounter between crafters of live experiences, experimenting with voice, text, electronic music and vocal processing from 10am.
On March 23, philosopher and writer Aaron Schuster will discuss why AI is typically portrayed in popular culture as murderous or psychotic at 2pm, while Cinema Akil will organise a series of sci-fi genre films from 4.30pm.
Pick from the best galleries in Art Dubai’s gallery halls
Art Dubai Contemporary will feature 78 galleries from 42 countries, from the world’s most influential galleries to dynamic young art spaces. The artists range from emerging and upcoming practitioners from lesser-known art capitals to household names. The works they will present cover all artistic media—including painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video, photography and performance.
Art Dubai Modern presents museum-quality work by masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, whose work has been influential throughout the 20th century. The 2018 fair will feature 16 galleries from 14 countries with solo, two-artist and group exhibits. Misk Art Insitute is the exclusive partner of Art Dubai Modern.
Art Dubai Residents, which is the newest addition to Art Dubai is dedicated to solo presentations from invited galleries whose artists have completed a 4-8 week residency in the UAE. Residents 2018 will present an intimate selection of 11 solo gallery presentations by artists from around the world working across all media. The galleries in this section will be presented in a special exhibition between the two Contemporary gallery halls. The programme will conclude with a round-table discussion, including representatives from each of the residency spaces as well as the artists on March 24 at 4pm, at the Global Art Forum Tent, Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah.
Get acquainted with the life and work of 20th century masters
Art Dubai Modern Symposium is a series of talks and presentations focused on the life, work and cultural impact of 20th century masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. Renowned curators, scholars and patrons will lead the sessions that delve into the styles, influences and practices of artists whose work contributes to the history of art produced in the 20th century. The Art Dubai Modern Symposium will take place in the Misk Lounge on March 19, 21 and 22 from 4pm.
Discover the artworks from Arab cities spanning five decades
The exhibition That Feverish Leap into the Fierceness of Life presents a number of artworks by some of the leading members of five modernist artist groups and schools spanning five decades from five Arab cities: the Contemporary Art Group in Cairo (1940s/1950s), the Baghdad Group for Modern Art (1950s), the Casablanca School of Art (1960s/70s), The Khartoum School (1960s/70s), and dār al-funūn al-sa’udiah (The House of Saudi Arts) in Riyadh (1980s). Curated by Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath, the exhibition derives its title from the 1951 founding manifesto of the Baghdad Group for Modern Art, reflecting these groups’ passionate contributions to the intellectual and artistic discourse surrounding modernism within their respective socio-political contexts.
Participate in an immersive experience at The Room
Titled GOOD MORNING GCC (.صباح الخير جي. سي. سي), this year’s edition of The Room will recreate a live TV show on site, using the tropes of daytime talk shows commonly featured on TV stations across the Arab world as an anchor for the programming, which will include daily segments such as fashion, cooking and health.
Hear palace designer and architect Xavier Cartron talk about the way architecture and the built environment is a manifestation of direct impact on culture, and how politics are experienced and symbolized at 7pm on March 21. Or get some cooking tips from celebrity singer and TV chef Suliman Al Qassar by attending a live cooking demonstration with him on the opening night of the fair, at 8pm.
From 5pm on March 22, Fair-goers can attend a lifestyle segment with Sarah Abu Abdullah for her predictions of the present or sit in for an educative lesson on the environment with Dr. Sarah Al Ateeqi, the Operation Director of Alshaheed Park Museums.
Mohammad Dashti will host a beauty segment showcasing the craft of makeup at 6.30pm on March 23, followed by a style segment with YouTube star Mohammad Diego, who will transfom someone from drab to fab at 7.30pm.
The Ministry of Happiness will lead a Wellbeing segment at 3pm on March 24, while Reiki healer Anfal Al Qaisi will do a radical realignment for one exclusive client on the same day in her Holistic Body Works segment at 3.30pm.
Get your young ones excited about art with the Sheikhal Manal Little Artists Programme
Titled Healing Garden, this interactive installation by Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango, invites children to participate in creating a nurturing environment based on local plants and flowers from March 21 – 24. With the iconic date palm as the focal point of the garden, Healing Garden explores the many ways that local plants and flowers can contribute to wellbeing. The workshops and immersive installation will provide hands-on opportunities for children to create and explore the space that is energized through the interplay of light, colors, textures and shapes.
Mingle with the art crowd at the GCC After Dark parties
From Wednesday, March 21 – Friday, March 23, GCC’s TV studio set on Fort Island will serve as the background for a series of after-hours parties, featuring a line-up of internationally renowned DJ’s. The night events/segments will take place under the title GCC After Dark. To sign up, visit www.artdubai.ae/gcc-after-dark/
Skip the queue on the day and prepare ahead of time by visiting www.artdubai.ae to purchase your ticket. A day ticket for March 22, 23 or 24 is AED 60 if purchased online and AED 90 if purchased onsite. A 3-day ticket, which is valid for March 22-24 is AED 100 if purchased online; AED 150 at the venue.
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