Encompassing exhibitions, film-screenings (in collaboration with the Sharjah Art Foundation), more than 10 live performances and book launches, Abu Dhabi Art launches 7th November and runs until 10th November 2012. It also introduces an exciting line-up of live music including Arab rock band Autostrad (Thursday 8 November) and electronic art-band Noise of Art (Friday 9 November) for its Abu Dhabi Art Plaza Evenings.
Abu Dhabi Art also presents a unique Design platform where, through a variety of new programmes, contemporary design and craft techniques come together as a celebration of both traditional skill and visionary thinking. A commissioned design work draws on the crafts of khoos (palm-frond weaving) and telle embroidery and is being developed in Abu Dhabi by Emirati artisans. UAE based artist UBIK joins other contemporaries, creating works and holding special design projects and workshops and storytelling performances.
“Abu Dhabi is the new meeting place for the art world evident from the calibre of speakers this year’s programme welcomes. As always, we want our visitors to be engaged intellectually – including the many exhibitions, talks, conversations and education workshops”, says Rita Aoun-Abdo, Executive Director, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, the organisers of Abu Dhabi Art.
Exhibition Art, Talks and Sensations curated by Fabrice Bousteau opens during Abu Dhabi Art and brings together live performances and installations to create a sensory exploration through various elements of fine art. Focusing around the theme of ‘THE ISLAND’ for its fifth edition, visitors are invited to explore a new experience through the works of Marc Quinn, Camille Zakharia, Abbas Akhavan, Fabrice Hyber Camille Henrot and Subodh Gupta amongst others.
Abu Dhabi Art Community – A series of creative collaborations focused on connecting people to the Emirate’s growing cultural scene. This includes Art for All, a community art initiative held upon the instruction and leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, the founder of the Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, who has a personal passion for art and has been a supporter of the arts for more than 30 years. For the past three years, Her Highness has supported Abu Dhabi Art as the Chair of the Host Committee. The Foundation launched Art for All, a series of community art programmes that aim to promote local Emirati artists, build new audiences and interest for art among the community, and increase awareness about Abu Dhabi Art amongst the general public.
The highlight of the Community Pavilion at Abu Dhabi Art will be an exhibition by emerging Emirati artists: ‘Between Public and Private’ will include works by Alia Lootah, Dana Al Mazroui, Hamdan Al Shamsi, Maitha Demithan and Shamsa Al Omeira. A panel including these artists will also take place during Abu Dhabi Art.
Fair:
- The Modern and Contemporaries Galleries Sector includes 50 participating galleries showing works by international superstars such as Marina Abramovi?, Ghada Amer Anish Kapoor, Alexander Calder, Abdulnasser Gharem Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta, Kader Attia, Farhad Moshiri, Timo Nasseri, Louay Kayyali, Yayoi Kusama, Ahmed Matter, Latifa Echakhch, Fateh Moudarres, Wael Shawky, Abdul Qader Al Rais, Lee Ufan, Hassan Sharif, Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg, Raqib Shaw and Jacques Villeglé.
- Beyond – the section designated to large scale installations includes Palestinian artist Ayman Yossri Daydban who will be shown by Athr Gallery (KSA), a huge structure by Tadashai Kawamata presented by kamel mennour (France) and a large work called ‘The Bell’ by Gabriel Kuri from Sfeir-Semler (Lebanon/ Germany).
- Signature – the section where solo shows by an emerging artist are exhibited, sees Galerie Janine Rubeiz presents DON’T FEED THE ARTIST, a live installation and performance by Mazen Kerbaj where he will be drawing and painting on-site, every day enclosed in a clear cube, observed by all, creating an exhibition within an exhibition.
- Bidaya (meaning ‘beginning’ in Arabic) is dedicated to one emerging gallery, welcomes CDA Projects from Istanbul who will be showcasing a range of artists including Adel Abidin and young Turkish artists such as Burçak Bingöl and Zeynep Kayan.
All events and programs are free and open to the public. For more information please visit: www.abudhabiartfair.ae
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