Palestine’s first art gallery, makeshift mosques and mummies brought to life: this is Abu Dhabi Art 2015. We look at how the annual landmark celebration of all things creative is bringing cultures together and enriching our own…
The UAE turns 44 next month. It’s hard to believe that this country is so young and is making a name for itself in so many ways. One area in which this is certainly the case is arts and culture.
In a few years, Abu Dhabi will be home to three prestigious museums – Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim and Zayed National Museum.
Such iconic institutes prove that while celebrating its own unique characteristics as a country, the UAE is also weaving in cultural aspects from around the world.
At the centre of this cultural crossroad is Abu Dhabi Art on 18th-21st November, powered by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA).
Alanood Al Hammadi, Abu Dhabi Art’s senior exhibitor relations coordinator, says: “We believe art is part of history and part of the growth of this country.”
“It’s amazing to have such a growing art scene here. We hope Abu Dhabi will be an emerging global hub for art and culture. And we hope Abu Dhabi Art plays a big role in that.”
It is certainly a big event in its own right.
Abu Dhabi Art is split into two sections, with 50 galleries exhibiting in what’s described as a ‘boutique art fair’
working in sync with a public programme of performances, talks, screenings and workshops.
And it’s not just for art purists or collectors.
“Yes, we have the commercial section which people think is only for collectors but no – any art collector or fan can come,” explains Alanood. “You can be close to the artists – and whether you’re interested in film, performing arts, or in hearing and learning more about the arts scene, you can take part.”
The fair
This year, 40 galleries from the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia will be showcasing works from classic paintings to contemporary sculptures.
“During our programme we have great artists as part of galleries and it’s an amazing way to meet the international art world.”
The number of returning galleries each year is testament to how popular the event has become on the annual art calendar.
Returning galleries include Galleria Continua, a contemporary art gallery with exhibition spaces in Tuscany, Beijing, Paris and Habana; London’s Paul Stopler Gallery; AB Gallery, which represents contemporary art from MENA and Iran and Kukje Gallery from Korea.
Creating future buzz
“Children are the future of the country,” proclaims Alanood.
So whether your little one is a wannabe Warhol or a mini Martha Graham, Abu Dhabi Art will be a hive of activity aimed at them.
“We have an amazing tailored tour for them and they can attend the gallery section. We also have a dedicated section called Art Zone where they can do hands-on workshops inspired by artworks at Abu Dhabi Art. It’s a great experience!”
Public programme
A large part of Abu Dhabi Art is the public programme, which features talks, workshops and performances. Visitors can take part in panel discussions, watch film screenings and enjoy live performances.
Talks that culture vultures won’t want to miss include The Cultural Foundation: An Architect’s Memoirs hosted at Qasr Al Hosn, and Zayed National Museum: Evolving Nature of Museum Collections, a closer look into the museum with British Museum curator Dr Venetia Porter.
Bliss, a programme of live and interactive performances curated by Fabrice Bousteau, comprises film screenings, visual performances about social networking and luminous presentations.
Meanwhile, Durub Al Tawaya (see below) returns for its third edition, exploring ways contemporary art can create avenues for cultural exchange by using various collections and influences. This year’s programme will feature five performances all addressing questions of ownership, responsibility and preservation.
We also suggest reserving a ticket for Le Cri (The Scream), a performance by choreographer and dancer Nacera Belaza where two performers melt together traditional and contemporary movement through a fluid combination of jazz, opera and
Sufi rhythm.
Durub Al Tawaya – Explained
As Durub Al Tawaya returns for its third edition, we speak with curator Tarek Abou El Fetouh about ancient Emirati traditions, the vocabulary of
art and artistic boundaries.
On the name…
“Durub Al Tawaya is a very Emirati expression; in the past when they went in a caravan, they didn’t walk in a straight line but from one well to the other. Tawaya means the waterway, durub means road or route.
“But also, in classical Arabic tawaya means something that’s folded and gives you the feeling that when you unfold it, you will find something surprising like an idea or vision.”
On the concept…
“I thought the programme could work to connect different parts of Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island as the future extension of the city – thinking about the road to the future. And, of course, every year I’d like to unfold some quality vision or idea.”
On this year’s programme…
“The curatorial concept is around how contemporary art crosses boundaries, thinking about traditions and archives – artistic and cultural resources. Contemporary artists are free to move between different traditions and archives and I’m trying to explore this by showing pieces that are inspired by and use diverse archives and resources.
“You see clearly that these people (Durub Al Tawaya performers Nacera Belaza, Islam Chipsy and Radouan Mriziga) have no boundaries. They use whatever vocabulary they can find or they feel.”
On cultural exchange…
“Nacera (Le Cri) uses Sufi vocabulary and folkloric vocabulary of dance with jazz bands and contemporary dance. That’s also a historical chapter that we have to consider. What we now call the vocabulary of contemporary dance came from the Far East and moved into contemporary dance. Nacera mixed these things in such harmony that you don’t see the difference.
It shows how contemporary art created these shared spaces of cultural exchange and influences. It’s really about what’s shared with all cities in the world – they all have towers, history, and this and that, but each has its own speciality. Artists are discovering this and showing us the shared area as well as the special area.”
On Abu Dhabi…
“What’s happening in Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island – the extension of the city in the future – is a strategy that has art at the heart of it… This makes Abu Dhabi Art very unique: it opens lots of possibilities because when artists come to Abu Dhabi Art they
are painting not only the present but the future.”
Emirati expressions
Running in parallel to Abu Dhabi Art is the biannual Emirati Expressions exhibition, which began in 2009 and will feature works by 15 Emirati artists at Manarat Al Saadiyat as well as throughout the city.
Each edition takes a different focus. This year it’s ‘Conventions of Arts’.
Each artist has sought inspiration from historic and social clubs in Abu Dhabi such as the Emirates Writer’s Union, the Sudanese Club and the Sailing and Yacht Club.
Associate curator, Middle Eastern Art for the Abu Dhabi Project of the Solomon R Guggenheim, Reem Fadda, explains, “The UAE’s various cultural clubs, which celebrate activities from the arts to sports and facilitate interactions between diverse communities, form hubs of social engagement with multicultural memberships and rich archives. Research into the historic and contemporary identities of these social clubs was the backdrop for this exhibition, allowing the artists and us to reflect on the community and city.”
Participating artists include photographer Ammar Al Attar, who documents makeshift prayer rooms and mosques and Hind Bin Demaithan, who will be presenting an interactive video installation inspired by the majlis.
The artists will also host a talk together with Reem and programmes manager Maisa Al Qassimi on 20th November from 3pm-4pm.
Emirati Expressions IV will be on display until 31st March 2016.
Editor’s picks
There’s so much to see and do at this year’s Abu Dhabi Art, but here’s our selection of events and exhibitions not to be missed.
Bidaya: Gallery one
Every year, Abu Dhabi Art highlights an upcoming gallery for its Bidaya – ‘Beginnings’ – sector. This year, the spotlight’s on Palestine’s first gallery, Gallery One.
The Rumallah-based exhibition space, which has been in operation for only 18 months, aims to promote Palestinian and international contemporary art.
Gallery curator Samar Martha explains: “The modern art we’ve collected is from a certain period of political history in Palestine. When artists started to boycott Israeli goods, they started to use local products like leather. It’ll be the
first time this type of art work is shown internationally.”
Architecture statement
Every year, the Architecture Statement presentation focuses on a unique structure or building in the emirate. This year, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s renowned architect Jean Nouvel will discuss his inspiration and concept behind the museum’s roof in Louvre Abu Dhabi Dome – Rain of Light. 18th Nov, 5pm-6pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Durub al tawaya: The mummy (1969)
Shadi Abdel Salam’s The Night of Counting the Years (The Mummy) is widely considered one of the most important Arabic films ever made. Based on a true story, the film follows an upper-Egyptian clan involved in the illicit trade of antiquities, faced with a dilemma of revealing their secret or keeping their ancestral treasures.
“It proposes a very important question about the ownership and preservation of heritage. Does tradition belong to us, or does it belong to the whole world?” says Tarek. “That’s a big question, especially with what is happening in this region. Every day there are parts of Palmyra looted or destroyed. It doesn’t only concern Syrians, Iraqis or the region, it concerns the whole world.” 10th Nov, 7pm-9pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Museums and the stories they tell
A panel including Jean-Luc Martinez, president-director of Louvre Paris and Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum,consulting partners for Zayed National Museum, will explore the concept of museums in a 21st century context and how the Saadiyat museums will connect with the local community. 18th Nov,
3pm-4pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Remote Abu Dhabi
Rimini Protokoll, a theatre company based in Berlin, is bringing its Remote: X show to the capital. A select group of audience members will don a headset, gather at a meeting point, and follow instructions that will guide them on a two-hour walk around the city.
Tarek explains, “Remote: Abu Dhabi will show specifically how Abu Dhabi shares some aspects with other cities but also has its own unique aspect. The voice and soundtrack make you see it completely differently. It’s like a movie.” 12th, 14th and 16th Nov, 5.30pm-7pm. Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Durab al tawaya: 55
Moroccan dancer and choreographer Radouan Mriziga will use his body as a measuring tool to draw shapes on the floor. The dance will “change the whole space and the relationship between the audience and his body, and the audience and the space,” says Tarek. 19th and 20th Nov, 6.30pm-7.30pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Details:
Guided tours are offered throughout Abu Dhabi Art in English and Arabic. To register for a tour email [email protected] or visit the Abu Dhabi Art desk at the centre.
