WORLD ART DUBAI 2021 TO REUNITE THE GLOBAL ART ECOSYSTEM
▶ The affordable art fair is back with new perspectives, exciting shows and stringent safety measures
World Art Dubai, an affordable art fair in the region, returns this week with more than 200 established and emerging artists from 27 countries. The event, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday at Dubai World Trade Centre, will have more than 2,000 pieces of artwork on show from a range of disciplines.
“World Art Dubai is a catalyst for home-grown talent to gain exposure alongside internationally renowned artists showcasing their latest work, sharing knowledge and educating the community, with a common goal of nurturing the local art scene and supporting the UAE’s wider cultural vision,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president of exhibitions and events management at DWTC.
“After a challenging year, we are reuniting the global art ecosystem ... urging visitors to see things differently through various cultural touchpoints, both traditional and futuristic.” Here are some highlights.
The theme is “Discovering New Perspectives”, and the exhibition has been curated by artists Batool Jafri, Samar Kamel, Petra Kaltenbach and Louis Wright.
The event will feature work by artists from countries including Israel, Nigeria, Malaysia and Uzbekistan, which are participating for the first time. In addition to the displayed artworks, the event will have performances throughout, including music and dance shows at various intervals.
As technology plays an increasingly important role in artistic entertainment, AI Norn, an AI-powered robot artist from Russia, will make its regional debut at World Art Dubai. Elsewhere, a collaboration with the Theatre of Digital Art will take viewers on a journey that combines high-end technologies with classical art and visual effects. For connoisseurs of the former, the show will feature two incredible exhibitions: From Monet to Kandinsky: Revolutionary Art and The Impressionists.
Elsewhere, Mahmoud Safwat, in partnership with Samsung, will offer visitors the chance to have caricatures of themselves speed-drawn on his tablet, with the unique piece being sent directly to them.
Inkopia will also be offering quick take-home pieces of digital art with its virtual-reality printing service that creates magnets with a choice of photo. Urban Art DXB will make a return this year with an area dedicated to graffiti and street art.
Wright, one of the World Art Dubai curators and founder of London gallery Vandalist Art, has curated this zone that will feature live sessions from local and international artists, including Maddy Butcher, Fink 22 and Pure Evil. A street art jam battle will also take place, with two teams of street artists competing.
Wearable art will have a place at the event, too. Dubai fashion designer Samar Raafat will have a runway show featuring her handmade pieces, including intricately painted abayas and tailored suits.
Artify with Craftology by Ella Orencillo will make its return, offering customised apparel such as shoes, accessories and clothing with Ella’s signature pop-surrealism and vivid colours.
The workshop corner, meanwhile, will offer a number of classes for all ages and interests. This includes kettle painting with Dubai gallery Funun Arts, flower crownmaking with Russian visual artist Valentina and photography with Nikon.
Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children will also run pottery classes, while Art Tea Talks will invite speakers and visitors to discuss art over tea throughout the exhibition.
When it comes to safety measures, World Art Dubai has partnered with Fynd.art to provide visitors with a contactless experience, so they can scan an art piece with a smartphone to learn more about the work and its maker. Covid-19 safety measures implemented will include social distancing, mandatory mask wearing, regular disinfection and clearly marked entry and exit areas.
World Art Dubai is a catalyst for home-grown talent to gain exposure alongside internationally renowned artists showcasing their work
World Art Dubai will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Halls 1 and 2, from Wednesday to Friday, 1pm-9pm, and on Saturday until 8pm. Tickets are Dh20 for adults and Dh10 for children. More information is at www.worldartdubai.com