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Art Dubai represents a vibrant city

Dubai - Last year, 27,500 people visited the show, with many people even flying into the city especially to attend the event.

 Art Dubai, now in its 11th year, has become a very important show on the international calendar. In fact, the three-day festival has transformed itself into an 'art week' with several events being organised on the sidelines.
Last year, 27,500 people visited the show, with many people even flying into the city especially to attend the event. The event this year began on Thursday and ends on Saturday, but there are two preview days, plus other related events. Al Serkal Avenue is holding special shows this week, while Sotheby's chose to officially open their first gallery at the DIFC; and Christies' is holding their auction on Saturday and Sunday.
Myrna Ayad, art writer and consultant who has been based in the UAE for thirty years, was recently appointed the fair's director.  "I feel this art fair represents Dubai." With this year's fair being the most diverse edition yet, Ayad says Dubai has become truly an international and cosmopolitan city.
Ninety-three galleries are participating this year (same as last year), but what is different this time is the number of countries that are participating - there are galleries from 44 countries, including Algeria, Peru and Singapore.
Twelve of the galleries are from the UAE and nine from Iran. Iranian art, in fact, is garnering a lot of attention. Tehran-based Mohsen gallery is showcasing the work of Mojtaba Amini, whose works include two new large-scale installations.  Another must-see is Dastan's Basement, which is curated to look like a space of an artist's basement, with benches around a larger table. The works at this gallery focus on writer Lewis Lapham's words, "If the city is a sewer of vice and a slew of despondency, why do so many people choose to live there?".
"Art mirrors life and so it's natural that Iran is seeing such a strong presence here now," Ayad said.  Art Dubai was always known to be a global fair and Ayad stresses not only on diversity of nationalities at this edition, but diversity of price - this has been done not only to make art more accessible but also to reflect the current global economic situation.
"We have pieces that start at $700 and others that go up to six-figure price tags, but we have ensured that pieces are affordable at this edition," she added. 
With over 70 per cent of galleries returning here this year, this fair truly has its pulse on the art scene.
sujata@khaleejtimes.com