Art Week Dubai celebrates Dubai’s creative industries – painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography and performing arts. From March 12-18, the city hosts openings, commissions, projects and public programming. Read on to see the different events taking place and our recommendations for what to see during Art Week.
Art Dubai
Art Dubai is one of the world’s most global art fairs. It is the week’s anchor event. This year, 92 galleries from 44 different countries will be featured. Here are the top things to see at Art Dubai:
Trading Places Talks:
Art Dubai will host a talk series centered around the theme “trading places.” It’s fitting, considering the city’s reputation as a transport hub. There will be multiple talks during the day. We particularly recommend TAK€ OFF! : Music for Airports. The talk will ponder the connection between a network of plane schedules and an array of musical notes. It’s certainly poised to be a very unique conversation! Our Historic Dubai tour gives a further overview of the city’s heritage as a trading port.
Homage without an Homage
Hassan Sharif, an influential Emirati artists, passed away last year. Homage without an Homage is an exhibition featuring works from artists he influenced or inspired. It will be held alongside a video screening and talk series.
The Room: Cooking Liberty
Food in Dubai goes way beyond shawarma. In this installation, Beirut-based art collective Atfal Abdath takes its inspiration from Salvador Dali’s cookbook, Les Diners de Gala. The result is a surreal cross between visual art, performance and gastronomy. During the day, the artists present various performances. Then in the evening, you can purchase tickets to a twelve-course buffet!
The 11th edition of Art Dubai takes place March 15-18, 2017, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
While Art Dubai is considered the main event, there are others happening through the city. Here are some other places to go during Art Week:
Design Days Dubai
This fair is for home art. It is the only fair in the region dedicated to collectible furniture and design objects. The sixth edition will showcase design pieces from prominent galleries worldwide. It will also play host to a series of talks, workshops, and performances. We recommend “Britain Takes Shape” an exhibition of British contemporary design celebrating the UK/UAE Year of Creative Collaboration.
The 6th edition of Design Days Dubai takes place March 14-17 at Events Square, Dubai Design District (d3).
Alserkal Avenue
Alserkal Avenue will present a series of exhibits, films, talks, workshops and events for Art Week Dubai. We’re intrigued by the six pop-up projects that will be on display. Notably, Ahmed Mater’s project will display a photo series charting Mecca’s history over the years. This essay will look at the city’s past, present and projected future. As our walking tours are divided into past, present and future themes, this project stands out.
Pop-up Projects for Art Week Dubai take place at Alserkal Avenue from March 10-18.
Be sure to check some of the many events this Art Week in Dubai. To further explore the city’s art, check out our Art Tour!