Here’s a different sort of Arab Spring story, one that speaks to the universal urge to express ourselves in art – contemporary art in this instance.
March 21 through Saturday March 24, the epicenter of the Middle Eastern art world is Dubai, that larger-than-life emirate on the Arabian Gulf. Art Dubai is what’s bringing visitors from throughout the globe here. Last year, 20,000 of the art world’s best and brightest practitioners and purveyors booked a flight to DXB as Art Dubai hosted more than 70 galleries from some 30 counties.
While there are private shows, public days are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Here are some highlights:
March 22 is Art Dubai’s first Performance Night. Hear United Arab Emirates-based musicians, artists and poets.
Through Friday, March 22, Istanbul-based Köken Ergun will collaborate on a commentary with local musicians. The medium is pop music.
Over the weekend, take a guided tour with curator Nat Muller and see the works of five artists. Video, porcelain, sculpture photography and fabric installations are the focus.
No need to leave the kids behind. Children four through ten can explore Morocco to the Moon, and participate in workshops Thursday through Saturday.
In all, this year’s Art Dubai is serving up works by more than 500 artists. The venue is Madinat Jumerirah.
There’s nonstop air service to Dubai from a growing number of North American airports: Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Toronto, and Washington Dulles.
Story by Jerry Chandler
