Abu Dhabi Art returns to the capital’s cultural district to celebrate modern and contemporary works of art
Abu Dhabi certainly has designs on becoming an internationally recognised art hub. With the purpose-built cultural district on Saadiyat Island, to the host of world-renowned museums already taking shape on the sand, the city is investing heavily in both preserving and developing art and culture in the region and abroad.
And the world is taking notice. The fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Art will immerse residents and guests in all things art this month. To be hosted from 20th to 23rd November at the Manarat Al Saadiyat and the UAE Pavilion, the country’s cultural district is set to wow art-lovers with museum-quality works from over 21 countries and 30 cities around the globe. The festival will feature a number of works from both international and national galleries, unique installations and large-scale sculptures, and a host of new platforms and activities to help connect art to the city.
Connecting cultures
This year’s programme will further explore the notions of how art can extend well beyond boundaries and national lines. Using the ‘transnational’ theme, the movement and exchange of ideas across borders is also reflected in this year’s participating galleries. With works of art from 50 galleries around the globe, visitors will be able to see how art can connect and unify people worlds away from one another.
“Whether explored through Abu Dhabi Art’s extensive public programme of panels and workshops, seen in our film series, or experienced through the works on show by our participating galleries, Abu Dhabi Art 2013 is underscored by the experience of the artistic practice flowing across national borders and other traditional boundaries,” said Tairone Bastien, senior public programmes manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
Reem Al Mansoori, public programmes officer, TCA Abu Dhabi added, “Rather than highlighting the differences between artists and regions, or labelling them by country, the transnational approach blurs those lines to celebrate the commonality and sense of community felt by artists globally, and is a key theme of Abu Dhabi Art 2013.”
New journeys
This year’s edition will have visitors enjoying a variety of new offerings to the public. One such initiative is the performing arts programme called Durub Al Tawaya. Using the Emirati term tawaya, which translates to the points of respite where desert travellers could find underground water springs and relief, this bus ride takes audiences on a journey from Saadiyat Island into the bustling city.
Curated by Tarek Abou El Fetouh, audiences are encouraged to take a journey – both literally and metaphorically – to outdoor spaces in the city. The inaugural initiative sees guests riding on buses that will be decked out with contemporary installations from both local and international artists to four stops in the heart of the city for special activities and performances. The route will stop at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Mina Zayed the city’s historic port, Corniche Beach and Marina area.
“Inspired by the Alexandria-based Greek poet Constantine Cavafy’s 1911 poem Ithaka, the experience revolves around contemplation of relishing a journey rather than a final destination. Headline daily performances in public thoroughfares will give the public an opportunity to experience the journey and live at the rhythm and the tempo of the city’s life. Not only will this programme meld art with daily life, but it will take the diversity of Abu Dhabi Art’s international visitors, offering them an unforgettable perspective on the city,” said Rita Aoun-Abdo, executive director, culture sector, TCA Abu Dhabi.
New sensations
This year’s edition of the popular Art, Talks & Sensations will see visitors enjoying live performances, video screenings, poetic installations and dance out in the open. Fabrice Bousteau, curator for Art, Talks and Sensations, explains this year’s theme has been inspired by the unique architecture of the sand dune-shaped UAE Pavilion. Titled Dunes and Waves, the multidisciplinary programme will see supplementary art performances taking place alongside the art fair.
“Since its inaugural edition, Art, Talks & Sensations (ATS) has always assumed the form of a show or an art exhibition mixing all creative disciplines, happening in parallel with the art fair; meaning next to the art fair, but never inside the art fair.
“For this year’s edition, the project consists in bringing the ATS spirit, which is, in my mind, exactly the essence of what Abu Dhabi is – a land of innovation, experiences, cultural mix – everywhere. That means for ATS to be in the heart of the art fair, as well as its universe, but without occupying a specific space,” adds Bousteau.
New wave
Another inaugural section, Artists’ Waves will also be launched at this year’s festival. Curated by Fabrice Bousteau, this exhibition will explore the concept of discovery and is located in the UAE Pavillion. With works reflecting new artistic movements and shifting perceptions, the section will also feature a special salon where guests can engage with galleries representing participating artists.
Seven galleries from Jakarta to Dubai, via New York, Milan and Istanbul will be represented in the new programme. Artists featured include: Skyler Brickley, Peter Halley, Ziya Tacir, Wang Yuyang, Alessandro Cannistra, Gohar Dashti, Miler Lagos, Saad Qureshi and Giovanni Ozzola.
New scale
Another novelty that is sure to delight guests is the Small is Beautiful programme. Part of this year’s ATS, and also under Bousteau’s expert direction, this parallel exhibition will feature small-scale artworks from galleries participating in the Modern, Contemporary and Design section. To be exhibited in the Mezzanine level of the UAE Pavilion, these small works will delve visitors into reevaluating the ‘bigger is better’ philosophy and learn more about the concept of scale in contemporary art.
Bousteau explains, “I asked each gallery to propose an artwork of their choice, corresponding to different criteria. The principal one for the selection of the artworks is their small size, but the selection is based also on the ethical, philosophical and aesthetic will to revalue the concept of ‘small’.”
And with approximately 50 pieces of art to show for it, this collection may be miniature in mind but certainly will be big on impact.
New beginnings
As much as the festival is a place for internationally acclaimed galleries to gather together in a celebration of art, Abu Dhabi Art is also committed to recognising new and emerging talents – both in terms of galleries and artists. This year’s Bidaya gallery, or ‘beginning’ in Arabic, is the Dubai-based Lawrie Shabibi, which is making strides within the international art scene.
Future home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the capital certainly is readying residents and guests to a new type of cultural connection, via fairs, ongoing exhibitions, and initiatives such as Abu Dhabi Art.
“We are hoping to be part of the international platform and a culture capital, not only for the UAE, but for the Middle East,” says Alanood Al Hammadi, exhibitor relations coordinator, TCA Abu Dhabi. “Through our public programme at Abu Dhabi Art, with the workshops and talks, we are basically helping prepare people for what to look for and what they can expect in the near future.”
And with this year’s diverse and unique offerings, we certainly can expect many good things to come.
Sawaiba Khan
