Stephanie Sykes, Communications Manager
Kutlug Ataman
Zoulikha Bouabdellah
Nazgol Ansarinia
Cristiana Perrella
Carol Solomon
Leyla Fakhr
Sheikh Abdulla Al-Thani
Hans Ulrich Obrist
Daniel Birnbaum
Mikhail Petrovsky, Director
Thomas Krens
Bob Colacello
Jerome Sans
Sami Al Masri
Catherine David
Manal Ataya
Art Dubai has become a cornerstone of the Middle East's booming contemporary art community. The 2009 fair hosts nearly 70 leading international galleries in addition to a strong programme of artist's projects including the launch of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum:3. Almost 100 curator/artists applications were received, evaluated and discussed by the Abraaj Capital Art Prize selection committee. The 3 recipient curator/artist teams of its first competition are Cristiana Perrella & Kutlug Ataman; Carol Solomon & Zoulikha Bouabdellah; and Leyla Fakhr & Nazgol Ansarinia.
Now the largest event of its kind in the Middle East, Art Dubai has established itself as a fair of
international importance, attracting both established international galleries as well as the best
emerging galleries from the Middle East and South Asia.
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. Almost 100 curator/artists
applications were received, evaluated and discussed by the Abraaj Capital Art Prize selection
committee. The committee looked for innovative ideas and use of medium; a reflection of regional
and local cultural principles, experimental art production techniques; and a balanced application
which showed the curators’ strength and ability to push the artists’ boundaries. The three
recipient curator/artist teams of its first competition are Cristiana Perrella & Kutluğ Ataman;
Carol Solomon & Zoulikha Bouabdellah; and Leyla Fakhr & Nazgol Ansarinia.
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, Vice President of Education at Qatar Foundation, Founder of Al
Markhiya Gallery; Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co Director, Serpentine Gallery, London; Maja
Hoffmann, Collector, Zurich; Sultan Al-Qassimi, Collector, Dubai; Daniel Birnbaum,
Director 53rd Venice Biennale of Visual Arts; Mikhail Petrovsky, Director, Hermitage St.
Petersburg; Thomas Krens, Senior Advisor for International Affairs, Solomon R.
Guggenheim Foundation; Bob Colacello, Writer, Columnist, New York; Jerome Sans,
Director UCCA, Beijing/Paris, Simon de Pury, Chairman Pillips de Pury & Company,
London; Dr Sami Al Masri, Head of Strategic Planning of ADACH, Abu Dhabi; Catherine
David, Curator, Artistic Director ADACH Platform Venice; Manal Ataya, Director General,
Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah; Alexandros J. Stanas, Director Art Athina, Athens;
Josh Baer, Writer and Publisher, The Baer Faxt, New York and many more.
The forum
continues to create links between East and West through the exploration of professional and
public interests in art. It examines public support for the arts, corporate and private collecting and
art patronage. 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, sponsored by DCAA; (Day 3) ADACH The Arts and Cultural Heritage: A
Contemporary View, hosted by ADACH; (Day 4) Rules of Attraction: Cultural Destinations &
Audiences. Art Dubai is pleased to welcome The National as the Official Media Partner of the
Global Art Forum.
Mapping Palestine is a project curated by Samar Martha of Art School Palestine, which takes
place in three different locations. A series of video programmes entitled ‘Tamam’ – ‘everything is
fine’, located in the Art Park, featuring the work of Khalil Rabah, Sharif Waked, Larissa Sansour,
Mohanad Yaqubi amongst others. Secondly the Art School Palestine 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, such as A. M. Qattan Foundation, Palestinian Art Court – Al Hoash and The
International Academy of Art Palestine contributing presentations to the project.
Art Dubai’s project space Art Park is situated in the underground car park at the Madinat Arena
and will be a cutting-edge space focusing mainly on film and video, reflecting the current vibrancy
of these art forms in the Middle East. This Art Dubai programme will feature the special
contribution of Bidoun through a series of curated video programmes in the Bidoun Lounge,
designed by Traffic and the Khatt Foundation. Within this space, Art Dubai has collaborated with
leading Middle Eastern non-profit organisations such as ArteEast and Art School Palestine on a
series of video and film programmes and additionally the space features a film programme
presented by Contemporary Practices and the ‘Me’ series by Iranian artist Ghazel.
Besides the
film and video programmes, the space promises to engage visitors to Art Dubai by hosting
several exciting performances. Art Dubai aims to provide a platform for this new media that is
growing around the Middle East by introducing a diverse programme of Middle Eastern, British
and Indian artists. Amongst others, there will 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 (Courtesy of 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).
Vernissage (by invitation only) Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Fair Opening Hours: Thursday 19th March - 16 - 21
Friday 20th March – 14 – 21
Saturday 21st March – 10 – 18
TICKETS: One day - Dhs 50
Tickets for the public days of Art Dubai 2009 are available to purchase at the entrance.
Please go to the Souk Entrance of the Madinat Jumeirah.