ENTERTAINMENT, Features - March 2, 2023

Art Dubai’s 16th Edition is Set to Begin on 3 March!

Bahraincover

Art Dubai, a global platform for art and artists from the Middle East, will return with its 16th edition from 3 – 5 March at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. The most extensive fair to date, Art Dubai 2023 will house four main sections featuring over 130 contemporary and modern galleries from more than 40 countries. 30 first-time participants will showcase their art at the fair.

The selection is drawn from across 6 continents and curated by Singapore-based educator and arts writer Clara Che Wei Peh. The 2023 edition will focus on the artists, galleries and institutions in the art space.

Contemporary Gallery

Art Dubai Contemporary will present the best in cutting-edge contemporary art from 76 galleries and 34 countries, with a particular focus on art and artists from the Global South. 24 Dubai-based galleries will be showcased in this section, reflecting Dubai as a global creative and cultural hub and the growth of the Emirate’s artistic ecosystem.

Modern Gallery

The 2023 edition of Art Dubai Modern is curated by Paris-based critic and curator Mouna Mekouar and Lorenzo Giusti, Italian art historian, and Director of GAMeC, Bergamo. The gallery will feature solo presentations by the region’s modern masters and pioneers of contemporary art in MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia), reflecting the cultural richness and diversity of the region.

Art Dubai Digital

Art Dubai 2023 also sees the return of Art Dubai Digital, which was launched to critical and commercial success at the 2022 fair. This physical section of Art Dubai provides an annual 360-degree snapshot of the digital art landscape, building bridges between the art and technology worlds, and exploring how artists are utilising new, immersive technologies to collapse the boundaries of the traditional art world.

Bawwaba

Bangkok-based Vipash Purichanont has curated the 2023 edition’s Bawwaba section. Meaning ‘gateway’ in Arabic, Bawwaba exclusively features artworks made in the past year or specifically for Art Dubai, and comprises solo presentations by 11 artists from across the Global South. From painting and tapestry to filmmaking and performance, this section explores how contemporary artists from the Global South bring forth concerns within their worlds; such as sociocultural issues, environment, human relationships, and more.

Live Performances

Chaupal: A Journey through South Asia is a series of site-specific performances and activations by ten leading artists from South Asia that explore the power of food, ritual, and gathering. The programme will feature a daily lineup of live performances and food-based experiences while exploring themes of community, celebration, hope, and connection.

The fair will also feature a thought-leadership programme, said to be the largest ever, with 50 sessions delivered through daily conferences, talks, and education programmes.

Initiatives and Commissions

The fair is held in partnership with ARM Holding which will be commencing an immersive programme for children – The Flag Project – at the fair before expanding to 90 schools in the UAE. Swiss wealth management group, Julius Baer is premiering a commission by Refik Anadol, an internationally acclaimed new media artist, director, and pioneer. Abu Dhabi’s independent platform for emerging artists 421 will present a group exhibition curated by UAE-based artist and researcher Dania Al Tamimi.

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