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Sikka festival: Art in the streets

Forty-seven visual artists, 15 musicians and six filmmakers will take centrestage in Dubai’s contemporary art fair.

The 10-day event will begin on March 14, taking place in houses, courtyards and alleyways of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood during this year’s Sikka festival, held under the patronage of the Dubai Culture Chairman, Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Visual artist Mattar bin Lahej, Fair Director of Art Dubai Antonia Carver and Manager of Arts at Dubai Culture Khalil Abdulwahid announcing the details of Sikka 2013 at a Press conference in Dubai on Tuesday. — KT photos by Kiran Prasad

The programme includes contributions from over 70 UAE-based artists, panel discussions, live music, film screenings, performances, special projects and even a children’s education programme.

Acting director general of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, which is running the festival, Saeed Al Nabouda said Sikka was intended to feature UAE contemporary art so people could experience, “home-grown creativity at its liveliest and best, in the heart of Dubai.”

“Over the last few years, Sikka has come to be the ultimate platform for Emirati and UAE-based artists to work and engage with their international counterparts, all of whom are in the city to experience its rich cultural roster of events.”

This year’s edition would be a ‘breakthrough’, with original content and opportunities for members of the public to engage with the artists involved, he said.

Artists attend the Press conference.

The 47 visual artists would work across traditional and contemporary art mediums, the six filmmakers would use animation, short film and experimental documentary film genres, while three “performing art collectives” are to present performances in theatre, spoken word and live art.

Fourteen multidisciplinary initiatives will be staged, including talks, screenings, workshops, performances, walks and excursions, games and research projects.

Sikka 2013 will run concurrently with Dubai Art Week.

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