Art Dubai concludes its largest and most diverse activities

The eleventh edition of Art Dubai was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (may God protect him). It was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, accompanied by a group of senior visitors, including His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais.

This year's exhibition saw the participation of a number of new galleries and countries for the first time, which made it the largest and most diverse in the history of the exhibition, and established "Art Dubai" as a leading position among international art fairs in terms of geographical area represented in the exhibition and being the largest artistic platform for arts in the region .

In the same context, the exhibition was visited this year by representatives of 98 museums and cultural institutions, including museum directors and curators, who continued to visit the exhibition every year, such as: Tate Museum (London), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), British Museum (London), Center Pompidou (Paris), Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Modern Art PS1 (New York), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles), and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art (Doha). The list of institutions that visited the exhibition for the first time this year were: Peabody Essex Museum (Salem), Norton Museum of Art (Palm Beach), Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia). Art Dubai also launched the first edition of the “Invited Collectors Program”, which hosted more than 150 international collectors and curators who participated for a week in the expanded cultural program prepared by the exhibition for them in various locations in the United Arab Emirates. .

In turn, Sani Rahbar, director of the “Third Line” gallery in Dubai, commented: “Our participation in Art Dubai this year was the most successful ever. The field of contemporary art globally.

One of the highlights of this session is the unveiling of the exceptional artwork by the artist Rana Begum, winner of the ninth edition of the “Abraaj Group Art Prize”, in addition to the activities of the eleventh session of the “Global Art Forum”, which focused this year on the theme “Trade Exchange” and “Program Comprehensive performances” throughout the exhibition, and finally the commissioned work program that included the “room” project for the “Children of Events” art group and the artistic installation at “Art Dubai Bar” by artist Mariam Bennani.

Outside the exhibition grounds, the “Art Week Program” was a testament to the growth of the cultural scene in the city, setting a new record in terms of the participation of 150 art spaces that presented more than 350 events throughout the city of Dubai, most notably the sixth edition of “Design Days Dubai” and “Design Days Dubai” exhibition. Sikka Art Exhibition” and the opening of 27 exhibitions in Al-Sarkal district.

Art Week also witnessed the announcement of the opening of the Art Jameel Center in 2018, becoming one of the first non-profit organizations concerned with contemporary art in Dubai. The center was strongly present at the exhibition, with the aim of adding works by Middle Eastern and international artists to the Art Jameel collection.

Art Dubai 2017 was held in partnership with the Abraaj Group, which in turn celebrated the annual Abraaj Week, which is held parallel to the exhibition. This year's exhibition was sponsored by Julius Baer, ​​Meraas and Piaget. As usual, the exhibition was held in his home, Madinat Jumeirah. The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority remains the exhibition's strategic partner, with Dubai Design District supporting its educational program throughout the year.