Art Dubai is a leading international art fair, welcoming the global art world to Dubai each year. The fair acts as a gateway to art from around the world and is the preeminent place to discover works from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.<\/p>\n
Here all you need to know about the event of the year.<\/p>\n
Art Dubai is taking place March 15-18, 2017 at Madinat Jumeirah<\/strong>, Dubai. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.<\/p>\n FUN FACTS:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n New Fair Director, Myrna Ayad, shares what not to miss this year<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Art Dubai is held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. An international art fair with roots in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, the eleventh edition of Art Dubai takes place March 15-18, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n Art Dubai Contemporary<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the most exciting aspects about this hall \u2013 and which will be immediately perceptible and palpable \u2013 is the curatorial effort that has gone into each booth. The works of some of the world\u2019s aspiring and emerging artists through to established, respected names will be exhibited through 78 galleries. That variety in itself is unique and attests to Art Dubai\u2019s positioning as the most global of art fairs. We\u2019ve got a strong contingent of galleries from Iran as well as those from South America this year, and it\u2019s always interesting to feel the \u2018pulse\u2019 of the times and trends in this hall.<\/p>\n Art Dubai Modern<\/strong><\/p>\n If ever there were a visual anthology of the 20th-centry histories of the Middle East, South Asia and Africa regions, every edition of Art Dubai Modern would constitute a chapter. This vault is where secrets and told and untold histories are held \u2013 from political and economic hardship through to the many layers between tradition and modernity and social issues, the prized artworks exhibited in this hall testify to culturally rich regions with long, colourful histories. With 15 galleries this year, it\u2019s a different energy altogether \u2013 pensive and momentous with a lot more time spent exploring the narratives behind each work.<\/p>\n The Abraaj Group Art Prize<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve followed Rana Begum\u2019s career for many years now and each time I\u2019ve seen her work, I sense a reinterpretation, a rethinking and an exploration of new variations, specifically the fusion between architecture, minimalism and Islamic abstraction. I\u2019m excited at the prospect of this young Bangladeshi artist presenting her winning work for the ninth Abraaj Group Art Prize under the curatorship of Omar Berrada, a curator whose work I admire. I am keen on seeing how she will push boundaries (quite literally!) as will the shortlisted artists Doa Aly, Raha Raissnia and Sarah Abu Abdallah.<\/p>\n Art Dubai Commissions<\/strong><\/p>\n This is the first time that our Commissions will be wholly performance-based and I am excited about this for several reasons. Primarily, there is something to be said about casually waltzing through the fair only to be pleasantly interrupted by a performance. That definitely offers a different energy altogether. Yasmina Reggad returns to curate our Commissions and will, along with Lana Fahmi, will pay tribute to the late, great Emirati artist Hassan Sharif. I appreciate that these performances \u2013 including those by Iv\u00e1n Argote and Pauline Bastard, Egl\u00e9 Budvytyt\u00e9 and Manuel Pelmus \u2013 altogether add another dimension to experiencing art. Personally, I value how these presentations continue to resonate, because ultimately, we recall emotions and a lot comes through with performance.<\/p>\n Global Art Forum<\/strong><\/p>\n As someone who has lived in the UAE for over 30 years, the concept of trade was and still is prevalent, from seeing the dhows along the Dubai Creek bring in goods from Iran, India, which made their way into souks and retails outlets to witnessing the construction of \u2018trading hubs\u2019 in the form of huge shopping malls, the DIFC and others. Much as the UAE has been a nucleus in the regional trading industry, so too is Art Dubai as far as art and ideas are concerned and I am excited at how the Global Art Forum, aptly titled Trading Places and led by the indefatigable Shumon Basar, will tackle the exchange of ideas, narratives, concepts and goods.<\/p>\n Art Dubai Modern Symposium<\/strong><\/p>\n There is something to be said of great minds coming together, as they will at the inaugural Art Dubai Modern Symposium. This is a great opportunity to hear otherwise untold stories, unknown truths and the sharing of knowledge on the region\u2019s modernity and its key figures. These modernists, were, after all, documentarians of a time gone by and it is through their practices, told to us by participating curators, scholars, museum directors and patrons, that we can piece together different eras, influences and inspirations. I\u2019m sure this will be a real eye-opener that will widen the dialogue on modern art from the region.<\/p>\n FAMILY ACTIVITY <\/strong><\/p>\n The Sheikha Manal Little Artist\u2019s Programme<\/strong><\/p>\n Provides hands-on and engaging workshops for children between the ages of 5-17. The programme encourages young people to get involved in the arts, creating a platform for creative thinking and artistic expression.<\/p>\n OPENING HOURS<\/strong><\/p>\n PRIVATE DAYS\u00a0<\/strong>(by invitation only)<\/p>\n Monday, March 13, 6.30-8.30pm: Art Dubai Modern Preview<\/p>\n Tuesday, March 14, 3-9.30pm: Art Dubai Preview<\/p>\n Tuesday, March 14, 7pm:\u00a0The Abraaj Group Art Prize Unveiling<\/p>\n VERNISSAGE<\/strong>\u00a0(by invitation only)<\/p>\n Wednesday, March 15, 1-4pm:\u00a0Ladies Day Preview (open to all ladies)<\/p>\n Wednesday, March 15, 4-9.30pm:\u00a0VIP Opening<\/p>\n PUBLIC DAYS*<\/strong><\/p>\n Thursday, March 16, 4-9.30pm<\/p>\n Friday, March 17, 2-9.30pm<\/p>\n Saturday, March 18, 12-6.30pm<\/p>\n *Please note that last entrance into the fair is at 9pm<\/em><\/p>\n Tickets can be purchased at the fair or online at a discounted price\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n TICKET<\/strong>\u00a0OPTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n Day ticket<\/strong>\u00a0(valid one day, either March 16, 17, 18): AED 50 if purchased online, AED 80 if purchased onsite<\/p>\n Free entry for youth under 18 and students with valid ID.<\/p>\n\n
HOW TO GET TICKETS<\/h3>\n
PARKING<\/h3>\n
Parking for Art Dubai is at the nearby Dubai Police Academy, with continuous shuttles to the fair.<\/h3>\n