ART Dubai 2023

Discover the Future of Art at Art Dubai 2023!

Art Dubai has consistently been one of the most dynamic and exciting art events on the global stage, showcasing some of the most exceptional contemporary, modern, and digital art from across the world. With an impressive lineup of participating galleries, Art Dubai continues to attract art enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals from far and wide. The fair also features programs and talks, such as Dubai Collection’s exhibition, the city’s first institutional collection with an innovative patron-led structure, dedicated to inspiring and educating those who live in & visit Dubai.

Despite being virtual, theonline fair’s protocol for inquiring about artwork remained the same, requiring interested collectors to express their interest to the gallerist through a form on the website. This demonstrated a sense of familiarity in these uncharted waters. The evolution of the fair throughout the pandemic can be seen as representative of the entire UAE art scene’s response to the pandemic, with a commitment to always adapting to new circumstances and moving forward. The online catalogue was comprehensive and searchable by artist, medium, and gallery, with the ability to flag specific works as favorites. The Art Dubai team quickly adapted to the rapidly evolving pandemic and refunded participating galleries half of the booth cost for this year, with a 50% credit for the 2021 fair, which was certain to take place.

The curators and subject of the Global Art Forum changed last minute to address the new stories emerging from the moment of global narrative collapse, featuring a group of brilliant thinkers with something nourishing and provoking to say. On March 23, Alserkal Avenue launched its virtual platform, allowing visitors to take a 360-degree tour of the exhibitions meant to open for Galleries Night during Art Week. The tool provided details about the featured works, where it was possible to purchase works online. Informational videos of gallerists explaining the works on view were also available, as if on a real gallery tour. The opening featured over 300 works from 15 different galleries and project spaces. Jameel and all cultural spaces in Sharjah implemented the same strategy by the end of the month In the latter case, the decision to go virtual was made by the government, unlike in Dubai and Abu Dhabi where private entities made the decision.

As for the galleries, Art Dubai in 2023 is proud to host a diverse range of galleries, each with their own unique style and approach. The fair is divided into four sections: Contemporary, Modern, Digital, and BAWABBA.

The Contemporary section showcases galleries from around the world, ranging from emerging art scenes to established centers, presenting solo or group shows and offering new global perspectives to help cultivate a culture of discovery. It is home to international galleries such as Perrotin or Galleria Continua as well as Dubai-based galleries such as Aisha Alabbar Gallery, Meem Gallery, and Leila Heller Gallery, which have showcased works by established and emerging artists in consecutive years. These galleries have a reputation for showcasing works by established and emerging artists that push the boundaries of contemporary art.

The Modern section is a one-of-a-kind platform, focusing on Modern art from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. The section will focus on solo shows dedicated to a particular period or thematic dialogue and feature artists working between the 1950s and 1990s whose works are retrospectively playing a key role in today’s artistic landscape. There are ten exhibitors such as Aicon Gallery showcasing Rasheed Araen, The Third Line exhibiting Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, and Lawrie Shabibi with masterpieces of Mona Saudi, a Jordanian artist who passed away last year. Lawrie Shabibi, in particular, has been praised by ArtAsiaPacific for its “unrivalled expertise in modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art.”

The Bawabba, which means gateway in Arabic, serves as a portal to discover works created in the past year or specifically for the fair, offering visitors a curated reading of current artistic developments across wide geographical scopes in “The Global South,” via ambitious solo artist presentations.

The Digital section is a celebration of the latest advancements in technology and digital art. Art Dubai Digital returns for its 2nd edition and invites an expanded array of disciplines and practices to interact by looking at the intersection of art, design, music, fashion, and world-building to expand our understanding of new media and movements in culture. It features galleries such as Morrow Collective and Carbon 12, which are at the forefront of the digital art movement. As ArtAsiaPacific said of Carbon 12, “the gallery has established itself as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking players in the Middle Eastern art scene.”

In addition, Art Dubai has announced its partnership with Julius Baer for another 5 years, with Julius Baer commissioning a work by Refik Anadol, a Turkish-American new media artist and designer whose projects consist of data-driven machine learning algorithms that create abstract, dream-like environments.

Art Dubai continues to be a must-visit event for art lovers and professionals alike, offering a diverse range of works from a mix of established and emerging artists. The fair’s commitment to promoting the best of contemporary, modern, and digital art is a testament to its dedication to showcasing the best of the art world. Don’t miss your chance to experience Art Dubai and be a part of this exciting event.

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