Highlights at Art Dubai 2009:
Abraaj Capital Art Prize, Mapping Palestine,
Global Art Forum and Art Park
18 – 21 March 2009
Madinat Arena,
Madinat Jumeirah
A significant highlight of this year’s fair will be the unveiling of the works of the recipients of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize, one of the most generous art prizes in the world. The prize provides an exciting opportunity for creative collaboration between international curators and artists from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. The committee looked for innovative ideas and use of medium; a reflection of regional and local cultural principles and experimental art production techniques. The three recipient curator/artist teams of its first competition are Cristiana Perrella & Kutluğ Ataman; Carol Solomon & Zoulikha Bouabdellah; and Leyla Fakhr & Nazgol Ansarinia.
Mapping Palestine, curated by Samar Martha of Art School Palestine, takes place in three different locations. A series of video programmes entitled ‘Tamam’ – ‘everything is fine’, located in the Art Park, featuring work by Khalil Rabah, Sharif Waked, Larissa Sansour, Mohanad Yaqubi amongst others. Secondly the pavilion ‘Akhir al Layl’ – ‘at the end of the night’, derived from a poem by the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, exhibits a range of two-dimensional works by artists living and working in Palestine and the Diaspora. The third integral part of Mapping Palestine introduces several Palestinian art organisations that contribute presentations to the project.
Returning for a third successful year at Art Dubai, The Global Art Forum plays host to a series of lectures and discussions featuring leading contemporary art thinkers such as: His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla Al-Thani; Hans Ulrich Obrist; Anish Kapoor; Maja Hoffmann; Sultan Al-Qassimi; Harald Falckenberg; Daniel Birnbaum; Mikhail Petrovsky; Thomas Krens; Bob Colacello; Jerome Sans; Simon de Pury; Dr Sami Al Masri; Catherine David; Manal Ataya; Alexandros J. Stanas; Josh Baer; Rem Koolhaas and many more. The topics will be: (Day 1) Creating Spaces, Creating Audiences (takes place on March 16 in the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar); (Day 2) Artists/Curators: Brave New World; (Day 3) ADACH The Arts and Cultural Heritage: A Contemporary View; (Day 4) Rules of Attraction: Cultural Destinations & Audiences.
Art Park is a cutting-edge space focusing mainly on video, reflecting the current vibrancy of this art form in the Middle East, and is co-presented by Bidoun. Art Dubai has collaborated with leading Middle Eastern non-profit organisations such as ArteEast and Art School Palestine on a series of video programmes; additionally, the space features a film programme presented by Contemporary Practices and the Me series by Iranian artist Ghazel. There will also be performances by Roula Haj Ismail (supported by Maya and Ramzy Rasamny), Kirstie Macleod (supported by British Council), Shilpa Gupta (supported by ArtAsiaPacific), Susan Hefuna, Rabih Mroué (supported by Bidoun) and Monali Meher (supported by Mondriaan Foundation).
Art Park Talks is an educational initiative that aims to provide a forum and platform for discussions, dialogue and exchange through a series of informal talks. Art Park talks will address relevant topics ranging from live art to design and typography within the Middle East as well as engaging the audience through interactive participation.
Art Dubai is also pleased to announce installations which will feature new commissions from leading international artists such as Susan Hefuna (Albion Gallery, London), Bahk Seon Ghi (SUN Gallery & Gallery SUN Contemporary, Seoul), Cha Min-Young (PYO Gallery, Seoul) and Bari Kumar (Grosvenor Vadehra, London / New Delhi).
For international press enquiries: Marlen Melone, Brunswick Arts Consulting LLP, E-mail: mmelone@brunswickgroup.com,
Phone: +44 (20) 7936 1290
For regional press enquiries: Eileen Wallis, The Portsmouth Group,
E-mail: eileen.wallis@theportsmouthgroup.com, Phone: +971 4 369 3575
