uae a p p h es du a t l o o k a al events r a i n m t cultunring in thhee e g t a h t r e c h emirmonth of ART DUBAI AL-BASTAKIYA ART FAIR SHARJAH BIENNIAL EMIRATI EXPRESSIONS art dubai will they buy in dubai? Yes, there is March, ther a global economic r will the opt e is an art fair in Dubaecession and yet, from participatin imism of the Art Duba i. Does this spell disa 19–21 mission to g galleries? One thing i organisers be shared ster or maintain Du is bai’s status for certain – this is aby its as the regio fa n’s cultural ir with a hub. 66 ai Visitors at Art Dubai 20 08 admire artworks at the gallery booths. © Sertac Tasd elen. 67 art dubai TEXT BY MY IMAGES COU The year be note, with th brink of fisca slumps of 2 watched – a subterranea nd RNA AYAD RTESY OF T gan on a so l meltdown. with bated b continues to watch – reath, just h a F HE PORTSMO ur e e globe teete conomic ring on the o 008’s last qu llowing the rt er, the world ow fast and UTH GROUP c p time particip a o n rt fe ic re ip several time during the c a ants. Since nce in early ting galleries s, a point M onference’s J the fair’s pre anuary, the has change f artin addres li s d to ss sed n this mone adding that Q&A sessio be. This is c tary plunge for n, the art indus ertainly not g ood news fo will out, many m every gallery that backs try, r ore are happ newbie on th especially for a relative Whether the fair was facin y to come in . e global art with the num g problems UAE and Co scene like th be art as the la ntemporary Middle Easte e or whether th r of participating galleri e es, And yet, one test emerge nt on the ma rn from the eco galleries were suffering has to hand rket. nomic back art protagon it to the UAE significance lash is not o ists for their 's in the macro f real grace under resilience, of things, sin scopic sche ce me most import pressure an d, perhaps all depend o , as Martin puts it: “We antly, their c n one anoth based galle er. to the bigge r picture.“It’s ommitment ry Waterhou ” London- about selling not entirely example, wa se & Dodd, s among the for work,” says “An opportu last to sign u Co-Founder John Martin nity p. “smaller fair and Directo r of Art Duba , to jump on b arose and we decided oa sc a platform fo reate intimacy and are i, Jemima Patt rd,” says the gallery’s r people to c erson. “It's im be there, an p and meet.” However tru ome togethe r d even if tha ortant just to regard to sa t’s that may be ea , one has to nd strategic les, it's good a flop with and it is not be visibility.” Re PR in terms only Jerry M realistic, Waterhouse gulars at art paris-AbuDh of is toting the cGuire who & Dodd are abi, infamous ph “good mix” bringing in a me the mon rase, “Show of Middle Ea ey!” Martin’s artists, inclu stern and Bri is reliant on resolution ding a price tish organisation sculptor Parv y piece by Ir “The appetite al backing: iz Tanavoli. “ a nian for Middle E decision for It is a consc very strong astern art is us ious still when it need and this is the moment range works to bring more mid- s institutiona ,” says Patte Hildebrand rs commitmen t. Waiting lo l support an d of the Zurich on. Kashya Kashya Hild -ba problems. S nge omeone, ins r might pose ebrand echo sed Galerie has to make titutionally, statement. “ es Patterson that first ste The works I’ ’s p.” o n e c onomics an m b ri n g ing in hit Now in its th d the Middle ir d y e a r, Art Dubai a s p e ct,” she say E showcasing a total of 66 is o n s. Hildebran astern all corners o ga “ a ccenting” he d plans f the globe (t lleries from Syrian artist r b o o th w its predeces sor); 30 of w wo less than Ahmed Mou ith works by hich are firs works by Ira a lla along wit t- nians Sissi F h Shirin Aliaba a rassat and di, Korean R an Hwang, 68 “The appet it Middle Ease for art is very tern still and thisstrong moment w is the needs inst hen it itutional su commitme pport and nt. longer mig Waiting problems. ht pose institutionaSomeone, make that lly, has to first step.” John M artin, Co-Fo and Directo under r of Art Duba i Bita Fayyaz i. Akram Kh anoum. 20 08–9 Fiberglass, . From left to right, ed acrylic and itions 3/6, watercolou 2/6 and 1/6 r. 82 x 30 x . 28 cm each . Jitish Kalla t. Dawn Ch Courtesy Bo orus. 2008 dhi Art, Mu . Acrylic on mbai. canvas. Br onze. 228.6 x 17 2.7 cm. Subodh Gu pta 69 Variable dim . There is Always Ci ensions. Co nema (I). 20 urtesy Galle 08. Found ria Continu objects, nic a, San Gimi kel and bras gnano / Be s. ijing / Le Mo ulin. “We’re obv day, the m iously deeply conc It’s not jus agnitude of the econerned, because at th who are got Asia or the USA, it omic situation is ac e end of the kit, can jus ing to bring in big n’s everywhere. And t ross the board. t forget ab a h out it!” Kas mes, like a Hirst ph ose galleries hya Hildebra armaceutic nd, G al alerie Kashy a Hildebran d German Anja J Semercioglu ensen, Turkish Gulay and Syrian O and the nati Hildebrand sama Esid. on deeply conc worried? “W e ’r e obviously Is a fortune be as a whole. “It costs twe the day, the erned, beca use at the e airfare and s en the booth, hotels, oo situation is a magnitude o nd o f the econom f so good to u n, but Dubai has been cro ic s the last co Asia or the U ss the board. It’s not ju and the com up mitment tha le of years SA, it’s every st has to the fa t Jo those galleri es who are where. And ir is just so p hn Martin big names, going to brin and impress rofessional like a Hirst p g in ive,” she co kit, can just harmaceutic So is mid-ra ncludes. forget abou al Third-time p n g e th e way to go Western gall t it!” As a articipant, G ? ery represen (with branch alerie Tanit Eastern artis ting Middle es a keen eye o ts, Hildebran d certainly h bringing in m in Beirut and Munich) is n the region as ost of its sta “The whole b participation at and her re- range will be le of artists. a sense of lo Art Dubai is driven by want to sho w the public there. We yalty to both not only carr that we do the Emirate y expensive encourage th art, ose who are and also Sissi Farassa t. Mosque. 20 57 x 85 cm. 06. Colour ph Courtesy Ga otograph wit lerie Kashya h sequins. interested Hildebrand, Zurich. Zena El-Khalil . Kalashin sc ulpture serie s. 2008. Mixe d media on wood. 100 x 50 cm. Court esy Galerie Tanit, Munic h. 70 “I know tha will pass, I t this positive pe am a more intererson. I’m the strateg sted in the fair as y behind to the econopposed but the eco omics cannot be nomics It would beignored. to simply c nice my expens over es!” Nabil Naha s. Untitled . 2008. Acryl Isabelle van ic on canv as. 150 x 20 0 cm. Cour tesy Agial de Eynde, B21 n Art Gallery, Beirut. Gallery in young art ists Walther Moll ,” says the gallery’s ier. The galle Hassanzade endorse the ry’s aim is to h, brothers R ir Lebanese Haerizadeh amin and Ro Nabil Nahas artists, nam and Fereydo kni and Lamia J ely plans on sh un Ave, B21 doing so, pro oreige, and owcasing 11 mote their B in at Art Dubai. of their artis branch. “Th eirut-based Undoubtedly ts e gallery in B artists feed , galleries an the region a eirut puts us eac d somewhere nd we have to show our in but an optim h other’s reputations, . That is one flag istic galleris why we are of the reaso lining in the t is the silve participating ns gloomy eco r a t A k n o w th a t nomic cloud One could a rt D this will pass . “I galleries are rgue that Du ubai.” p e rs o n . I a , I am a pos it iv bai-based mm e sp overseas ga ared the steep costs th strategy beh ore interested in the lleries bear in at ind the fair a at Art Dubai. participating to the econo s opposed Not so true. mics, but th cannot be ig ee in and trans portation is “I ship thing s nored. It wo conomics biggest exp pro simply cove uld be nice enditure. My bably my w e h r my expens e s !” A to nd there based in Du art ave it – a ga bai,” says Is ists are not b ig g er picture. J llerist who s e e s the Eynde of B2 abelle van d ust like Mart 1 Gallery, on en in premier gall e of Dubai’s does. eries, and o mainly on Ira ne that focu nian artists. ses Art Dubai r spectacular Boasting so uns at Mad names, inclu me from 19–21 inat Jumeir ding Khosro March. For ah w information more visit www.a rtdubai.ae 71 the bigg es t prize of all v id e a fi tt in g s howcase for hat h is y e a r’ s A rt Dubai will pro f the inaugural edition of w T y th e winners o ontemporary art world’s s c re a te d b work y re g a rd e d a s one of the C Capital Art Prize. is alread e w a w a rd s , the Abraaj most excitin g n TEXT BY JA MES PARRY THE BRUNSWICK GROUP P IMAGES COUR TESY OF o rk a t A rt D u bai. The ACA th e of their w te e consists of Sa ra; vita C a p it a l is c o m m it ai, Abraaj selection Carver; Ali Kh ad Based in Dub p e c ia li s in g in ir ); A n to n ia m ie r in v e s tment firm s M id d le Apte (Ch a e N g ; J a c k Persekian; p re the la in v a te e q u it y investment in John Martin; E ; Maya Rasamny and p ri th A s ia to s t, N o rt h A frica and Sou ta l o f Daniela da Pra o s t 1 0 0 c urator/artist E a ha to . A lm E N A S A ) re gion, and, wit a p it a l Frederic Sicre re c eived, evalua ted (M A b ra a j C o n s w e re ilable, the applicati e committee, $1 million ava is the world’s largest c u s s e d b y th from P) and dis h application Art Prize (ACA ndowment. The prize s s e s s e d e a c ne which a perspectives. art competitio in April 2008 to provide o f d if fe re n t e of ed a range vation and us was establish v e c o ll a b o ra tion lu d e d in n o y for crea the opportunit onal curators and ti These in c ti o n o f re g io nal and local c ati medium; refle experimental art between intern ENASA region and p ri n c ip le s , eM cultura l the ability artists from th a te a c h n iq u e s ; a n d primarily to cre lthough production te ir respective was designed , a to p u s h th e for artists who of the curators s. As committee viable platform cal communities, ts’ boundarie revered in th e ir lo c a l a n d a rt is te e x p la in e d , “Every single riti p international c chairperson A ssed very objectively were lacking re. ACAP p ro v id e s ct was asse comme rc ia l e x p o s u o n e th e ir p ro je ts . W e w e re particularly h ri opportunity to ide on its own me osals that offe red them with the g a lo n g s o u t fo r p ro p h workin looking proach or visio n.” talents throug a n d to th e n reach a n d n e w a p urators a fresh international c e through the display nc a global audie 72 a sse sse d v e ry objectively ject was y looking n. Strange Spa ce. 2009. Video “Every single pro ts. We w ere pa rticu larl on its own merials that offered a fresh and newP Kutlug Atama iable dimension s. Digital projection. Var by Abraaj Capita l, Co mm ission ed vid eo file . Institute for the duced by The out for propos or vision.” Savita Apte, Chair, ACA . Dubai, UAE. Pro of Clocks, Istanbul, Turkey Readjustment approach 73 . Walk on the Sky -flex, aluminium 300 cm. tual sketch of el. 600 x 600 x dellah. A concep tallation, LED ive stainless ste ins Mixed media Zoulikha Bouab dibond, reflect Pisces. 2009. elf in in g th e c a mera on hims ed a ti o n s o f tu rn g S tr a n g e S p ace, a record ning combin presentin d part of his The three win n n o u n c e d n c e p ie c e a n rtist were a performa nging project, curator and a a P e rr e ll a n t a n d c h a ll e s: Cristian most rece turgies, focus ed last October a (T u rk e y ); m ia n D ra m a ly ) a n d K u tl ug Atama n k h a Mesopota ti c re la ti o n s h ip between (Ita ouli ma ro l S o lo m o n (USA) and Z h r on the proble lo b a lisation and th e e C a e y la F a k W e s t, g (Algeria); L East and ultures. In Stra ng Boubadellah n ia (I ra n ). c e o f lo c a l c zgol Ansari persisten ed crossing a (Iran) and Na a s b e e n e a rt is t is fi lm ch team h Space th nd with bare fe et Since then, ea w h ic h w il l b e u s d e s e rt la by new work sulphuro ision inspired working on a e ju s t b e fo re e d e y e s . A v e first tim and blind rt tales typica l of unveiled for th a s fo ll o w s : lk a n d c o u rt D u b a i. T h e works are classica l fo w h ic h th e h ero, blinded A , in Mesopotamia h e ro in e , is condemned th e S p a c e by the love of e s ert trying to fi nd S tr a n g e e r in th e d Ataman: to wand flames when Perrella and r h is in te n s e to b u rs t in to ll known fo her, only ancient theme Ataman is we h ic h h e u s e s ll y m e e t. T h e ons, in w they fina s a metaphor for video installati fr a g il e n a tu re b y A ta m a n a and xplore the is used en modernity narration to e c ti v e id e n tity, te r b e tw e of both perso nal and c o ll e e o p le the enc o u n ir re c ip ro c a l attraction and fp e ate portraits o tradition, of th ttraction may cause. creating intim e s ame time w it h e tr auma this a a li n g a t th th while de A C AP, Ataman is p ic s . F o r social to 74 e d c ro s s in g a [A ta m an ] is film n ded a n g e S p a ce f e e t a n d b li “In Str se rt la n d w ith b are n d ulp hu ro u s de a s s ic a l f o lk a s o n in s p ire d b y cl w h ic h th e eyes. A v is i o p o t a mia , in typ ic al o f M es d e s ert. co urt ta le s w and e r i n t h e de m n e d to hero... is con oti o n a l in te ra c ti ons within the on and em ie ty . Ta king inspirati ll a h : o f s o c d Boubade framework vironment, sh e Solomon an s m e d ia te e n Sky. Pisce from her im dividual syste ms Walk on the n p ie c e v e s ti g a te s in installatio closely in em into her o wn This evocative ht sky illuminated by tr u c tu ri n g th nig before res rocess aims recreates the l c o n s te ll a ti o n ti o n s . T h is p astrologica configura hip with the a discernible p e n , th re e - u r re la ti o n s d is c o n s tr u c ted as an o li g h t- to realign o o n ti n u o u s e x ploration of an mo f ac e n s io n a l s pace. A syste s e d to mundane. As e rn s , A n s a ri nia explores d im ) is u patt it ti n g d io d es (LED-FLEX ly g o n a l systems and re o ty p e d a rt efacts of her e m f po ste a te a lu m in ous network o to one the most e rs ia n carpet. Mos tly c re d c o lo u r n : th e P in size an native Ira us commodit y, stars that vary is c e s . M o u n ted d a s a p re c io tellation P perceive s been the m ost form the cons l c o o rd in a te s ia n c a rp e t h a e celestia the Pers ians througho ut on a ceiling, th ro r o n th e fl o or b je c t fo r Ir a n re fl e c te d as in a mir in v it e d utilised o h a v e b e c o m e numb to a re rs a re we n e a th , u p o n which viewe a ti c history. While o ra l shapes, Ans arnia b e s – id io m ti ti o n o f fl le source the repe a closer look at to walk. Multip r touchstones from the s to h a v e h a p e s a n d o the th e w o rk . prompts u k e n fo r g ra n ted. With her s form ta is t’ s c u lt u ra l heritage – in k e y what is being s h e has transform ian ed a rt g o n s ta r (a fo r A C A P , the poly project motifs of the P ers These include uration in Islamic art); it io n a l fl o ra l nfig the trad f contempora ry geometric co tu ry tr e a ti s e , The to s c e n e s o 10th-cen carpet in the multi-laye red the influential , b y th e P e rs ian n . B y ta k in g ixed Stars life in Ira etown of Tehra n Book of the F h m a n A l- S u fi ; s o f h e r h o m bd Al-Ra structure he explores h ow astronomer A d a ry g la s s g p o in t, s and the story of the leg e n o lo m o n ’s as a sta rt in to rs , s c e n a ri os and events gS c in front of Kin juxtaposing fa fr amework. floor erected Sh e b a it h in a s in g le the Queen of can coexist w throne, which as w a te r. d to believe w t Art Dubai, (Bilqis) was le e ir d is p la y a Following th g w o rk s will become titl e d n in nsarinia: Un the prize-win aj Capital corporate Fakha and A lores the of the Abra ia ’s w o rk e x p p a rt fo rm ation about Ansarin mo d e rn - u rt h e r in structures of collection. F w.abraaj.com patterns and p o rt ra y il a b le a t w w rtist seeking to ysical ACAP is ava day life, the a p h ects of social, intangible asp 75 global ar t forum In its third ye Art Forum h ar running in p osts a series arallel to Art Dubai, the some of the of Glo world’s lead lectures and discussion bal including HE ing s by Sheikha Abd Contemporary art intelle Education a u c t the Qatar F lla Al-Thani, Vice Presid tuals, Director of th oun ent of e Serpentine dation, Hans Ulrich Ob Anish Kapoo G rist, Co- r and Simon allery in London, Indian Pury and Co de Pury, Ch a mpany, amo airman of Ph rtist and Qatar, D ng others. S ilips de oha will kick plit between the discussio sta the U n Creating S rt the talks on 16 March AW paces, Crea hosts the re maining fou ting Audienc with New World o r discussion es. Dubai n 18 March; s: Artists/Cu and Heritage the ra tors: Brave (ADACH): Th Abu Dhabi Authority for 19 March w e Arts and C C ith a night se ultural Herita ulture lastly Rules ss ge on of Attraction ion, Artists’ Cities 1, Teh on 20 March : Cu ran, . For more in ltural Destinations & Aud and formation vis ie it www.artdu nce bai.ae contempa rabia The Abu Dh abi Art Dubai, th Authority for Culture an e Sharjah Bie d Heritage (A Authority all nnial and th DACH), come togeth e Qatar Mus programme er to form C eums comprising ontemparab events and ia educate the public on th tours design – a the course o eG ed to f seven days ulf’s cultural initiatives. Contempara and spannin Over bia program g four cities curators, mu me , the seum directo – open to collectors, a features spe rs and media rtists, cial tours of m e m b e rs – a VIP previe Doha’s Mus w of the Sha eum of Islam exhibition th rjah Biennia ic Art, e Lure of the l, a tour of th Art Dubai an Ea e Tate d the inaugu st at the Sharjah Art Mu Art Prize, the rati seu Global Art F on of the Dubai Abraaj C m, to Dubai’s A orum (in Do apital l-Quoz galle ha and Dub ry district, vis a i), private colle ctions and a its to artist s a trip among othe cu tudios, r activities. B ltural excursion to Abu eginning fr D information can be fou om 15 Mar habi, nd on www c h, more .contempa rabia.com 76 start @ a START par rt dubai tne workshops rs with Art Dubai to p to children rovide on-s Foundation . Founded b ite arts edu y Art Dubai c and Jordan in 2007, STA RT has deliv and the Al-M ation to orphans, ered educati adad camps, The as well as to onal worksh Institute for children from ops in Leba who have lo the Deaf an P a le s ti n non st limbs duri d NGOs soc ia n refugee ng the war. iall special need s in the UAE Focusing on y integrating Iraqi child , as well as wo ren mothers and children, ST government rking with children with and art stud ART hosts w sch ents. This ye orkshops gu ools and abused programme ar, START h ided by arts s for familie as organise professiona and particip s, allowing y d a series o ls ate in creati oung visitors f free activitie artists includ ve w to the fair to s e British/Iran orkshops on-site from meet artists can make a ian filmmake 18–21 Marc sh r Elhum Sha h. This year’ Jafri (who w ort documentary film on kerifar (with whom child s ill guide chil th e fa ir ), Fre ren dren in the c daily life at A rt Dubai) an reation of la nch/Indian painter Sach Al-Khaja. W d rge canvase a hile worksho Emirati artists Maitha B s recording ps are free o in make a don ation to STA f charge, pa Lahej and Noor Amin RT. For more rticipants are information w visit www.sta elcome to rtworld.org al-bastak iya art fa Dubai’s an heritage ar descend up ir nual fringe ea from 15 – fair runs alo ng 22 March. E Dubai Creek in the B ach year Du a on heritage are and take over the tradit bai’s gallerie stakiya a, b ion s towers to life ringing its cobbled stre al houses of the Bastak w ets and san iya This year se ith vibrant artworks, lec d-coloured w ind es ture Art Fair, rebra the third edition of the h s and evening events. n igh edition hosts ded for 2009 as the Al-B ly successful fringe ev a rich lecture astakiya Art en Sara Raza, s e ri e s c u ra Fair (BAF). T t, Creek and will take te he latest event is ope the form of a d by ex-Tate programm n to the pub B in g curator, collectors, a lic, including AF ‘Art School’. The fiv nd hopes to s tudents, em e -d with current engage part erging artists ay morning Contempora ic ipants in vib ,c the BAF Art ry art practic rant discuss ritics and Sch e. Internatio io daily. Says B ool will come together nal artists an ns on trends AF Co-Direc fr d cu compact an tor Emily Do om 16–20 March from 1 rators for d li herty, “the p 0 am–12 pm an alternativ vely series of talks and rogramme w ill pre ea art contempora rt curriculum, with topic ist presentations design sent a ry art bazaa s ranging fro e Some of this r to blogging m the aesth d to offer ye , a rt collectives e ti c The Third Lin ar’s participating galle , collecting a s of the e, ri es include T n d gossip.” taking part in B21 Gallery, Cuadro a ashkeel, clude Laudi n d B_asemen Rivieren, Du A t. Artists rriya Kazi, J bilama, Mark Pilkington among othe o n athan Gent , A rs. For mor and Ebtisam rnaud e informati on visit ww a Abdul Aziz, w.baf.ae 77 open creativity The latest e it up with a dition of Sharjah Bienn beyond trad fresh perspective on a ial, running from 19 M itional frame rtis ar works to cr tic endeavours and th ch–16 May, mixes eate a dyna TEXT BY IMAGES COANNA WALLACE-THOM mic, living, emes, moving URTESY OF PS breathing pr SHARJAH BON oject. Hosted by Sharjah’s IENNIAL Culture and Department Information, of the patronag and under Biennials, an d eo Bin Mohamm f HH Dr Sheikh Sultan some light o that it was time we shed ed Al-Qassim n that part o Fetouh, also f th well as the a uspices of th i, as , was specifi e world.” El- his vast exp ca Director, HH eB Sheikha Hoo iennial erience in th lly chosen for renowned c r and experie e field of film urator and A Al-Qassimi, project, a vis nce with the Meeting Poin , Jack Persek rtis ian brings in tic Director ua theatre prog l art and performance t of Isabel Ca th rlos and Tare e talents several Arab ramme that took place in Fetouh for a k Abou El- and Europe dynamic ne With the con an The real cha nge this yea w Biennial. scious decis cities. Biennial 'the io decision to abandon a p r is Persekia n’s me-free', ap n to keep the creating two re-set theme open to all, plications w parallel exhib , professiona ere programme ition The result w l and amate as ur. s in the Future, c stead; Provisions for tremendous overwhelming. “It was a ura response,” s film program ted by Carlos, and the “We started with someth ays Persekia n. me Past of th The Producti ing called Days, curate e d by El-Feto Coming and had alre on Program me Persekian w as drawn to uh. In fact, ady received last year, Latin backg Carlos by he proposals fo numerous round. “I’d s r r funding. W work at the een Isabel’s came on bo hen Isabel Syd ard, she we what she did ney Biennial as well as the applicati ons, as well n t through all fo he says. “Sh r the Artist Mundi Prize,” ‘wishlist’. Ba as sed on the a her own e has a quie that we got pplications perspective ta on Latin Am nd in-depth committee, and the sele c tion of our well as art fr erican art, a we came up om mainly S s of proposals with a shortli Italian speak panish and that we foun st ing countrie and in need d interesting I felt that this s an was an area d Portugal. of reading, and further discussion and been very vis th ible in previo at had not artists who a from there, s elected the us Sharjah re now partic Having been ipating.” quoted as s aying that “I felt that [L been very v atin American art] was that it was t isible in previous Shar an area that had not world.” Jack ime we shed some lighjah Biennials, and Persekian, Art t on that par istic Director, Sha t of the rjah Biennial 78 9 Nadia Kaab i. Giv ink and pigme e a Name to Your Boat. nt on paper 20 and folded pa 08. Imprints of walls fro per boats. Bo m Berlin an th sides 275 d Tunis with x 550 cm. © wax, Miguel Vidal. Basma Al-Sh arif. Everywh ere was the Same. 2007 . Mini DV. Pro jection. Nika Oblak and Primoz Series of 43 Novak. We Did photograph This and Th s on aluminiu at. 2005–7. m. 75 x 101 cm. Doug Hend ers at Art Kö Oil on canvas ln. Rear View. . 140 x 180 2005. cm. 79 With a stagg Sharjah Bie ering 49 new commis role of cura nnial 9 has carefully plsions taking place, tor, rather th a an static ex ced itself in the hibitor. Left and rig ht: Maider Lopez. 366 Silas (366 Chairs). 20 07. La Noch e en Blanco , Madrid. 80 Sharjah is “a crossroad s out its posit e ion,” and tha eking to work do things so transformati th on is “not m e believes that w it h w mehow has very little to but absolute e re ly inevitable h at the curren do ly essential, d o e s . t financial m highly aware ” Persekian is W e are instea a rk of the need o n th e d completely et such as the fo a rtists and pro foc Sharjah Bien r an event p ro d u jects that we used and innovati n ial to stay fre c ing.” In fact, ve. “I think c sh 4 9 n e with a stagg are way it is don a re w c erin e,” muses P fully about the Sharja ommissions taking plac g the way in w ersekian, “a h Biennial 9 e, hich the Bie nd it self in the ro h a s c a re fully placed needs, and nnial addres le of curator, how it sees ses s tatic exhibito ra ther than Sharjah, the its positionin r. “One of th Emirates an g in w e’re attempti e main things We’ve turne d the Arab w ng to do wit d things aro orld. this h the Biennial out this ope und by send year is to m n call to artis ing a ove it away first bringing ts, rather tha showcase, to fr om being in a curator n e being a prod having a list an x plains Perse ucer,” of nominees d then solely e n tity that is in kian. “We w a n t commission . We went a to invite and volved in the it to be an other way, a round it the p ro cesses of th p roduction nd in doing w ese commis proposals fr so, a nt to cater to s ions. We om people th I received a n d audience the needs o f both artists never have k at nown or enc we would b e a platform fo alike, rather th a n simply sense, the B ountered. In r art to be d iennial is ch that W it h a special e is played.” the very way ang it is organise ing, through th e Arab world, mphasis on a rt put together. ” The aband d, curated a nd in Sharjah Bien ists from uniting ‘them onment of a te rnational na n ial 9 sees e’ and two n W mes such a allows the B ew exhibitio e iner, Liu Wei, s L awrence iennial to “p ns L a Doug Hend aint n i Maestro wo e rs as Persekian calls it, of w the picture”, M rk side by sid and trying to sho ha id dle Eastern e with w, as well as t they are E rk men, Amir H artists such a s Ayse array of pres organise an Fallah, Lam entations an a n d husband an y a Gargash This year als d workshop d wife team o sees the o s. H a d J jithomas an o Sharjah Bien pen nial 9 coincid ing day of fo d Khalil Jore ana Art Dubai. “It e with that o c u s on Middle ig e. This was a consc f p ro Eastern artis as far back ious decisio v ides them w ts also as 2007,” sa n n e ith the expo “Both openin ys Persekian e d in order to s u re they gs that year . a gain access apart, and it were a mon w id er public an to funding, was a challe th th is d recognitio dedicated in n . who were in ng terested to m e for people P e terest in its a It is events, espe ake it to both rs ekian’s cons rtists and cially those it fresh, inno ta n t d ri v e to keep travelling fro who were vative and, a m overseas living, breath bo dedicated d .” T aily shuttle b his year sees ing thing, th ve all, a the two venu uses betwee that Sharjah at ensures es. Despite n Biennial 9 w a step away ill b climes of the the current glob chilly from previou e at once well as conti sy crisis, Perse kian remain al financial nuing its role ears, as can only say s un edge art eve as a cutting that I am tota fazed. “I nt in the Mid d le E a s - and privileg ll t. ed to be part y blessed S h a r which the th of a circle in jah Biennia ing that I do M a l 9 runs fro and the way r c h–6 May. F m 19 I visit www.s o r m o r e information harjahbien nial.org 81 ation a neasures l tr irati a r ti s Sixty-four Em One black box. five artworks. ts . O n e h u ndred a nd sixty- ACE-THOMPS ON W A LL , Jalal Luqman A N N A TEXT BY URTESY OF TBWA RAAD e s s u c h a s IMAGES CO e Emirati nam d p io n eering brothe rs y A n n k k i a n ion, curated b Dr Najat Ma sain Sharif. Th e A new exhibit th e M u s é e a n d H u s Baldassari, D irecto r o f n d o rg a n is ed Has s a n n e ra ti o n is re presented by sso in Paris, a younger ge National Pica n t a n d s ta rs a s R e e m Al-Ghaith, Developme such rising eikha Maisa A l- by the Tourism any (TDIC) in Abu d u l- A z iz , S h omp Ebtisam Ab Musab Abdul Investment C r 1 6 5 w o rk s li a A l- S h a m s i, together ove on Qassim i, A argash and Dhabi, brings v in g o p e n e d a is , L a m y a G ti artists. Ha Qader Al-R others. Severa l from 64 Emira r the patronage of HH in a , a m o n g de Hind Meza as Maisoon A l- 20 January un ed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, d o u t, s u c h m works stan Wife 2, skeleta l Sheikh Moham bu Dhabi and Deputy s b a n d 1 a n d of A Saleh’s Hu uple bedecke d Crown Prince th e U A E A rm ed o f a b ri d a l c o mander of paintings ss and black Supreme Com xpressions: Art From w e d d in g d re ti E in a white well as Reem Forces, Emira is a n e c le c ti c 's c lo a k ), a s e Emirates bisht (men work, What the Heart of th th y o u n g m u lt i- m e d ia by artists bo Al Ghaith’s shing, neon-lit mix of works u p c o m in g , y L a n d , a fl a blished and is Left of m ghts and des ert. and old, esta r. E x p la in s o f o il fi e ld s , li nd amateu monolith e freshman a rtists professional a ati Expressions is a io n o f re la ti v mir The addit comprehensiv e Baldassari, “E ity to show the rest of p ro v id e s a un to the mix rts scene. superb opport n t a n d p ro g ress o f th e lo c a l a level of tale overview that in Emirati the world the is w it n e s s in g.” te re s ti n g is and culture What is in ry space play s the UAE’s art t E m ir a ti n s th e g a ll e sting abou Expressio role as the What is intere ti o n a n d m ix ture s im p o rt a n t a the selec almost a nceptualised by Expressions is n t a rt in th e s e lv e s . C o f a rt is ts p ic k ed to repre s e n o w n e d works the m a li s e d b y C olin Morris of o lly re t re s b y internationa Baldassari bu U A E . W o rk d A b d u l Q a d er A l- o li n M o rr is A ssociates Ltd he C and distinguis n g s id e o th er familiar a lo Rais are hung 82 o pp o rtu nity is a s u p e rb xp r es sio n s e le ve l o f “Emirati E th e w orld th th e re st of s a rt an d to sho w s th e U A E ’ n d pr o gr e s as sari, talen t a in g .” Ann e B a ld e is w itn e s s aris cu ltur ional P icasso in P Musée Nat Director, . 61.5 x 105 cm ic on paper. 2008. Acryl per. 61.5 x 10 5 cm. Al- Sa leh . Husband 1. ryl ic on pa Left: Maiso on 08. Ac 83 . Wife 2. 20 on Al-Saleh Right: Maiso . . 99 x 66.5 cm . 2008. Digital manipulation ktoum. Reflection Lateefa Bint Ma . Edition of 3. h. 300 x 200 cm r come togethe ital photograp me 3, Held Back. 2006. Dig Reem Al-Ghaith. Fra p h ic fo rc e s f th e iconogra e u nknown, unse en d e s ig n o ri s e to th lack box’ and give London, the ‘b rea is a step away from d.” in e x h ib it io na b u and uncreate c o m p lemented by a m a in th e A it io n is previously The exhib initiatives and anything seen in e x h ib it io n e d u c a ti o n a l d. The ma series of Workshops Dhabi art worl into three sections; h il d re n ’s A rt ed events. C s-on sessions space is divid a o p e n s in to a ly , w it h h a n d trance are run week ition. Furtherm ore, the central en in te rv ie w s w ith to th e e x h ib , ich video relating planned. TDIC nt theatre, in wh e d , a lo n g w it ha c P la tf o rm is ts are play an Artisti artners, will p rese featured artis ib it io n . F la n k ed it h d if fe re n t p ts to g the exh along w rs and panellis film introducin ic ip a ti n g a rt is ts, o n a l s p e a k e hs of part internati nt to the subje ct by photograp t s c h e d u le d to p ic s re le v a l also hos explore f the exhibitio n. the theatre wil media works during d th e m e s o of matter a n plans afoot presentations uration. The ‘black box’ c u rr e n tl y n o 's d While there are ion internationally, there the exhibition e n hance the v is it o r’ s to u r the exhibit nt, itself, de s ig n e d to , c o m p le te ly to u b t th a t th is wealth of tale ng galle ry is no do ut of local senses, is a lo e works at once stand th e e n ti re g a m . Th representing m photograph y, lined in black b y th e in te n s e c re a ti v it y, fr o ubsumed Emirati n, multi-media , out and are s ra d o x o f li g h t and , in s ta ll a ti o ting a pa dimness, crea at once brightly lit close sculptu re ti n g , w il l p ro vide a fitting in are video and pa rant, diverse a nd dark – works d e d a n d h a rd to a s e o f th e v ib gly sha showc UAE arts scen e. up, yet seemin r. Explains Baldassari, a n d in g l afa rapidly e x p until 16 Apri focus on from ex h ib it io n is s s io n s ru n s ls to us in this Emirati Expre s Palace, “What appea s P ic a s s o e in E m ir a te t of thought’, a at Gallery On more information the ‘movemen ent that is re v e a le d in u Dhabi. For m o v e m A b ae called it , a D h a b i] b e tween Eas t a n d v is it w w w .a rtsabudhabi. u this place [Ab b es the space as a S h e d e s c ri West.” u ral, semantic and “w h e re c u lt place 84
Enter the password to open this PDF file:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-