Dubai Design District (d3) will push creative and artistic boundaries once again this March for its second edition of Rethink Art. The innovative art programme will present art exhibitions and installations, live performances and activations and workshops for all art enthusiasts. It will run at d3 from 8 March to 13 March 2022.

At the height of the art scene in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region, Rethink Art will embody d3’s principal mission to “Rethink the Regular”. Always fuelled by the desire to bring creative talent together to experiment, innovate, collaborate and challenge, the latest season will showcase aspiring local, regional and global names in the world of art and further help cement Dubai’s position as a global creative capital.

Commenting on this year’s Rethink Art, Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of Dubai Design District (d3), states, “We are delighted to present such a diverse, lively, enriching and exciting line-up of artistic talent this March over another edition of Rethink Art. Along with design, fashion and architecture, art is a central pillar of our d3 ecosystem. We look forward to seeing our community come together to celebrate this and rethink the regular.

“Dubai is an ever-growing regional and global arts centre and we are proud to continue to push creative boundaries, showcase the wealth of talent that our city and the region has to offer and bring exciting opportunities to our community.”

Among the many highlights of d3 Rethink Art will be Icons of Crypto Art by The 721 (the721.io). This immersive exhibition will bring together over thirty pioneering artists in one show, highlighting some of the most monumental works in the history of the space. There will be three special features on display: Rare Pepes, limited edition blockchain collectibles that predate Crypto Art; Cryptopunks, the first algorithmically generated NFT collection; and, XCOPY’s “Right-Click and Save As Guy,” one of the most iconic works in Crypto Art, which was released into the public domain by the artist earlier this year. In addition to showcasing key works, The 721 will be hosting open Q&A sessions and walk throughs throughout the event.

With street art becoming a worldwide phenomenon, Rethink Art will see three street painting artists present exciting Live Graffiti displays and activations, where even visitors can join in and spray, design, and build on the existing artworks.

Authentic Marks & Glow’s 4th annual International Miniature Printmaking Exhibition will be another highlight which will feature prints from international printmakers around the world. Running alongside this exhibition will also be a live printing programme, Ink Your Print, which will give visitors the chance to learn and experience two hand-pulled printing techniques known as Drypoint and Linoleum to create their own unique work.

d3’s very own K Gallery will showcase a group of 18 UAE-based emerging talents, including the Façade to Façade exhibition by photographer Hussein Al Moozawi and the Celebrating Middle Eastern Creativity exhibition presented by The Khawla Art and Cultural Foundation. Alienz Crews will be another spectacular exhibition to look out for, displaying a blend of visual and digital art. He will also be undertaking talks and live performances.

At the d3 stage will be an array of live performances from regional talent during the week. Cinephiles can also enjoy the international short film festival, Ajman Film Biennale’s Urban Visions: Architecture and the Future of Cities, the first of its kind screening within d3.