Art Dubai sets the mood for its 17th edition

Art Dubai, the international platform for artists from the Middle East and the Global South, has shared details about its 17th edition set to take place at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Running from March 1 to March 3, with previews on February 28 and 29, the fair aims to be a hub for creative communities worldwide. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Art Dubai 2024 will showcase expanded collaborations with both local and international partners.

The fair has a strong focus on redefining the role of art fairs by supporting local and regional ecosystems. It includes major new commissions and premieres by globally renowned artists, along with an extensive education, talks, and thought-leadership program.

Art Dubai has been at the forefront of innovative cultural programming, emphasizing education and digital technologies. These efforts contribute significantly to shaping Dubai’s cultural infrastructure and addressing contemporary global issues.

Key highlights of Art Dubai 2024 include newly commissioned performances centered on healing, hope, and the transformative power of art. The 17th edition of the Global Art Forum, Art Dubai’s flagship summit, curated by Shumon Basar and Nadine El-Khoury, will explore the relationship between extreme weather and extreme change. The fair offers an extensive talks program, featuring Modern and Collector Talks in collaboration with Dubai Collection, the city’s first institutional art collection.

The A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, devised by artist Sahil Naik, will have its largest edition, reaching over 15,000 students. Additionally, the premiere of ‘Heart Space,’ a significant new commission by digital artist Krista Kim, presented by Julius Baer, adds to the diverse and innovative offerings at Art Dubai.

Pablo del Val, Art Dubai’s Artistic Director, emphasized the fair’s commitment to being more than just a commercial platform, supporting artists, scholarship, cultural education, and thought-leadership. Benedetta Ghione, Art Dubai’s Executive Director, highlighted the fair’s role in fostering a thriving cultural and creative ecosystem in Dubai.

Art Dubai is held in partnership with A.R.M. Holding and is sponsored by Julius Baer. The event’s exclusive high jewelry and watch partner is Piaget. Culturally driven lifestyle developer HUNA is a partner of Art Dubai, and the Dubai Culture Arts Authority is the fair’s strategic partner. Madinat Jumeirah is the home of Art Dubai.

The fair’s commitment to scholarship is evident in its talks, workshops, and events, spanning all five days. The A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, now in its fourth year, is the most ambitious education program in the UAE, reaching over 15,000 students. The fair continues to run Campus Art Dubai (CAD), a professional development and traineeship program aimed at nurturing emerging talent and future cultural leaders.

Art Dubai Commissions for 2024 will feature new performances, films, and activations focusing on hope, community, and the transformative power of art. Partnering with Julius Baer, the fair will present a newly commissioned digital installation, ‘Heart Space,’ by Canadian-Korean artist Krista Kim. Another partner, Piaget, will debut a new exhibition, ‘The House of Gold,’ spotlighting gold as the ultimate luxury, showcasing high-end jewelry and watches.

Art Dubai 2024 promises to be a dynamic and inclusive platform, showcasing the diversity and multicultural richness of the creative communities in Dubai and beyond.

Also read: Art Dubai opens with an extensive lineup of galleries and artists