Art, Talks and Sensations
7 November 2012–6 January 2013
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority’s next exhibition, Art, Talks and Sensations, will open during the fourth edition of Abu Dhabi Art (7–10 November), on Saadiyat Island next month, as tens of thousands pour into the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Art, Talks and Sensations: The Island / A Game of Life, curated by Fabrice Bousteau, is a labyrinth of live performances, artistic installations and sensory experiences inviting visitors to explore ‘a new life.’ A series of choices result in a range of encounters created by contemporary artists—including Anish Kapoor, Fabrice Hyber, Camille Zakharia, Subodh Gupta, Tim Noble and Sue Webster—have all been brought together to constitute a remarkable island landscape. There are musicians and dancers performing, philosophers, architects and geographers all engaged in interpreting and animating the concept of the island, local craftsmen sharing their instinctive knowledge and artists telling their story through works of art specially produced for the exhibition.
Usually an annual exhibition during the week of Abu Dhabi Art, the fifth installment has been extended to run for two months, closing on January 6, 2013.
“Since its debut, Art, Talks and Sensations has been distinct; a kind of island apart. It is the expression and realisation of the concept of the island itself, where it is good to live and where all sensory experiences are closely linked with the culture and artistic content on offer,” said Curator Fabrice Bousteau.
“This theme is also a result of the character of Abu Dhabi, a city with a geomorphology composed of a multitude of islands. Situated on the Silk Road, it is at the crossroads between the West and the East—a city that becomes a place of exchanges and sharing, a major stopover point, a precious ‘island’ in the journey of discovery across the world of contemporary art,” he said.
Inspired by the souks of the Middle and Near East (open-air marketplaces known for multi-cultural exchange), French conceptual artist Fabrice Hyber, recognised for his sense of showmanship and mastery of the art market, will revisit his hallmark project Hybermarket, where, together with local craftspeople, he will produce works that the public can view or buy as a souvenir, blurring the lines between art and market.
Performances celebrating the opening on Wednesday, 7 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat, will take place from 7 to 9pm and are open to the public. Workshops will also be held for children, teens and adults around the exhibition during all four days of Abu Dhabi Art, including making monochromatic paintings using unconventional techniques.
Opening times:
7 November: 3–11pm
8 November: 3–10pm
9–10 November: 2–10pm
11 November 2012 until 6 January 2013: 10am–8pm
For more information, visit www.abudhabiartfair.ae.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority was created in February 2012 and took on the employees, assets, roles and responsibilities of the former Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and included the Cultural Department of Tourism Development & Investment Company. The Authority’s objective is to conserve and promote the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi and develop a world-class destination of distinction.
Abu Dhabi Art is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to further promote Abu Dhabi as a catalyst for art and culture – locally, regionally, and internationally. Galleries can exhibit under the following banners: ‘Modern & Contemporary Galleries’, ‘Signature’ (one emerging artist per exhibitor) and ‘Beyond.’ In addition, the Abu Dhabi Art organisers give one emerging gallery the opportunity to take part in ‘Bidaya,’ which, translated from Arabic, means ‘beginning’.
Abu Dhabi Art creates the opportunity for gallerists, collectors, artists and art aficionados to meet, to acquire new artworks, share ideas, and exchange information.
Providing a wide spectrum of the visual arts including painting, sculpture, drawing, installation and photography as well as video and digital art by more than 400 artists, Abu Dhabi Art showcases both renowned and emerging artists. Since its inception, the fair has also supported new artists gaining foothold into the market and has artwork appealing to different tastes and budgets.
Engaging with the community is an essential part of the Abu Dhabi Art platform and visitors can enrich their experience through the many public and education programmes that are an integral part of the platform’s offerings, including a dedicated Art Zone space for children.
Principal Sponsor of Abu Dhabi Art 2012 is BVLGARI. Associate Sponsors are Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Dolphin Energy.
For more information, contact:
Tarané Ali Khan
The Portsmouth Group
ADA@theportsmouthgroup.com
T +9714 4332676
