Art Dubai, currently hosting its 14th edition in a new location under the iconic Gate Building at Dubai International Financial, is open to the public from today (April 1).

 

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and hosted by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Art Dubai has returned as one of the first in-person art international fairs of 2021, featuring 50 leading Contemporary and Modern galleries from 31 countries. 

 

The show, which opened on March 29 will run till April 3 and is produced in accordance with the highest safety protocols including new innovations to ensure a safe and secure environment.

 

Reaffirming the fair’s commitment to providing a physical platform and marketplace for artists and galleries from across the Global South, visitors will encounter galleries from across the Middle East and South and East Asia, including from Lebanon, Palestine, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, Vietnam and Philippines. There is also strong representation from across the African continent including galleries from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia. The fair will feature nine of Dubai’s top galleries as well as galleries from major and emerging international art centres. 

 

Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said: “Dubai’s inspiring status as a regional business and cultural hub is driven by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen opportunities for all in every sector. At DIFC, we have delivered on this vision by creating an iconic centre of finance that also encourages arts and culture through our commissioned works of art, ongoing cultural events and now hosting Art Dubai. The event will further shine the spotlight on the city and add to its reputation globally.”

 

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said: “Art has always been an important part of Dubai and DIFC’s cultural offering. This year’s Art Dubai reinforces this message with the global art community especially because it provides one of the first opportunities following the pandemic for artists from around the world to collaborate, network and meet prospective buyers. The event also adds to the recently announced Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan given it enhances the quality of life of residents and reinforces the city’s appeal as a preferred place to live in, work and thrive. Hosting the fair contributes to DIFC’s reputation as one of Dubai’s leading lifestyle destinations and complements our ongoing art programme.”

 

Pablo del Val, Artistic Director of Art Dubai, said: “The arts sector has – like so many others – been significantly impacted by the events of the last 12 months and the central role that Art Dubai plays within both the cultural ecosystem of the UAE and the wider region has become more apparent than ever. By working closely with our community and by adopting Dubai’s progressive and ‘can-do’ way of thinking, we are delighted that we have been able to open doors to an in-person art exhibition and again welcome our audiences back to Art Dubai.”

 

In order to support the galleries exhibiting, the fair has introduced a number of new innovations. These include the Remote Participation Programme, which uses digital technologies to connect those participating galleries unable to travel to Dubai in person with fair visitors along with providing video introduction to the artworks on show; and a new payment scheme whereby galleries pay their participation fees based on their success at the fair.

 

Benedetta Ghione, Executive Director of Art Dubai, said: “Our team has been working tirelessly over the past year to innovate and re-think the fair model, which will be apparent throughout Art Dubai 2021. We have a new venue for this year, an innovative payment model for participating galleries and a remote participation programme specially created for those galleries unable to travel to Dubai. Although some of these will be one-off initiatives reflecting the current times, others we expect to enhance for future editions.”

 

The fair air will open to the public from April 1 – 3 April. Access to the fair will be via the new Art Dubai App where tickets can be purchased for AED25 and children enter for free.  – TradeArabia News Service