10 brilliant things to do at Art Dubai

Art Dubai is back and the 15th edition of the region’s biggest art fair promises to be the most extensive yet with over 100 exhibitors (30 of which are first timers) from 44 different countries.

Running from Friday March 11 to Sunday March 13 and returning to its rightful home at Souk Madinat Jumeirah (last year’s event was held in a purpose-built underground building in DIFC), there’s absolutely masses going on. From a new and extensive focus on crypto art to exciting partnerships and unique commissioned works, read on for our pick of the top eight things to do at Art Dubai.

For great places to get a free art fix in Dubai, click here.

Exciting new partnerships

A partnership between Art Dubai, Abu Dhabi-based art and design hub Warehouse 21 and the Salama Bint Hamden Emerging Artist Fellowship (SEAF) brings an interesting new addition to the festival. The culmination of the collaboration will be an exhibition specially curated by Maryam Al Dabbagh and Mays Albaik showcasing highlights from SEAF’s eight-year history across a range of mediums and focusing on the idea of shared memory.

Marvel at Sand Flow

Art Dubai’s main commission for 2022 is INLAND by Fernando Garcia-Dory. Multi-faceted, multi-site installation Sand Flow will see the Spanish artist exploring Middle Eastern history and heritage and ideas of regional identity, as well as offering up visions of the city’s past, present and future at different locations around the fair and in various locations across Dubai.

Stand in the rain at Cloud Seed

When he presents Cloud Seed, a brand-new installation for Art Dubai 2022, Filipino-American light and media artist James Clar will be the first visual artist to showcase a piece of art at the Julius Baer lounge

His interactive video installation Cloud Seed examines the majesty of nature and the way it can be altered or impacted by technology, an idea which is demonstrated to impressive effect by immersing visitors in a large-scale, real-time simulation of cloud seeding, complete with rain and fog.

Be educated on the art and importance of recycling

Part of the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, the Art of Recycle will see self-taught painter and sculptor Cyrus Kabiru working with young people raising awareness about materials that can be recycled and demonstrating the scope that exists for transforming what might be considered throwaway rubbish into works of art.

The programme is split into two parts, beginning with a series of immersive pre-registered workshops and drop-in sessions for children of different ages (five to seven years, eight to 12 years, and 13-17 years). After the fair ends the initiative will be taken up in schools across the UAE, with a focus on helping to foster an interest in and understanding of the arts amongst the young.

Attend a talk as part of the Global Art Forum 15

The 15th edition of the innovative Global Art Forum is themed ‘This is the Picture’ and will take place over three days, with talks aimed at a range of audiences. During that time expert speakers including leading artists, curators, creators, thinkers and technologists will examine a range of digital-focused topics, including crypto worlds, currency, NFT art, gaming, the metaverse, Web 3.0 and Dubai’s new crypto zone. Confirmed participants include collector Guy Ullens, the founder of Dialectic, Ryan Zurrer, critic and curator Kevin Buist and composer and multi-disciplinary artist Holly Herndon.

Immerse yourself in a futuristic world

Fusing the traditional art forms of painting and sculpture with augmented reality, Marina Fedorova’s thought provoking installation COSMODREAMS brings something entirely new to the 2022 Art Fair.

The mesmerising standalone work examines the ways in which technology impacts both the natural environment and the people who reside within it, inviting visitors to use their smartphones to interact with the various visuals and ultimately become part of an unfolding story as they are transported into a dystopian reality.

Get your head around cryptocurrency

Continuing the Web 3.0 theme and with a well curated nod to the continued growth of digital platforms, this series of talks presented by leading cryptocurrency exchange Bybit aims to provide visitors with a greater understanding of the basics of cryptocurrency, digital media and NFTs.

Confirmed guest speakers include Seth Goldstein, co-founder of Bright Moments, Tamas Banovich the co-founder of Postmasters and Jenn Ellis, the co-founder of collaborative virtual art space Aora.

Encounter Art Dubai Digital

This year’s event is embracing digital like never before. Art Dubai Digital will deliver a comprehensive exploration of the digital and NFT art world, looking specifically at the rapid rise in this area and the key contributors behind the movement. The new fair section which intends to provide a bridge between the worlds of crypto and art will feature 17 international galleries and platforms, showcasing the work of trailblazing artists such as Refik Anadol and Uta Bekaia.

Learn about the UAE’s art scene at this talk

Since the early ‘70s, the UAE has been a place that artists from across the Middle East decided to settle, which has meant the country’s art scene always has a buzz. Exploring what the cultural melting pot has meant for local artists, Art Dubai is hosting a panel on Thursday March 10 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Discussing the story of the artists – whose work is now pride of place in the city – and how their journey has paved the way for future Emirati artists. If you’re interested in the cultural history of the UAE and how it became the art hub it is today, this talk is not to be missed.
Thu Mar 10, 2.30pm-4.30pm. Art Dubai, A.R.M Holding Majils, Madinat Jumeirah

If you can’t be there in person, watch these short films

Art Dubai is all about shining a light on talent, that’s why in collaboration with BMW Middle East and Forward James Filmmakers they have created a series of short films on some of the world’s most talented artists. Available to watch on the Art Dubai website the 34 videos tell the stories of creatives such as the Tunis-born Nadia Kaabi-Linke who uses various mediums to socio-psychological topics with a political edge, and Saudi graphic designer Basmah Felemban. This series is the perfect excuse to settle down with a cup of tea and immerse yourself in art.
Fri Mar 11-Sun Mar 13. Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, www.artdubai.ae.