Abu Dhabi Art has announced new dates for 2020 but this time it’s a little bit different.
For the first time only the annual event will present a digital-only programme with a new virtual fair.
The Department of Culture and Tourism has announced that Abu Dhabi Art will take place from November 19 to 26.
Available online you will be able to explore a number of curated gallery exhibitions from local and international artists.
Six guest curators will put together the first-ever digital edition to create a platform featuring livestream video interview with artists as well as a preforming arts programme.
“Abu Dhabi Art has always been a notable player in our Emirate’s growing cultural landscape,” said Saood Al Hosani, acting undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
“It has and continues to play a significant role in fulfilling Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become an artistically conscious city of global relevance.
“For the fair to take place at this time is more important than ever and a testament to our commitment to developing the art scene.
“Abu Dhabi Art is adapting to the new reality that the world is facing and will play an instrumental role in supporting the culture sector at this critical period by offering a platform of encounters for galleries, artists, curators and collectors and by continuing to provide rich content and interactive experiences to the wider community.”
Each of the new gallery sectors will have an internationally renowned curator to highlight works from a number of different places. They will include The Day After, a sector dedicated to contemporary art from across Africa, curated by Simon Njami; Contemporary Korean Art, curated by Sung woo Kim, the India Today section, curated by gallerist Ashwin Thadani, and A Picture Held Us Captive, a section on contemporary artists represented by UAE galleries, curated by Nada Raza.
Rose Lejeune, associate curator for the Delfina Foundation’s Collecting as Practice programme in London, will curate this year’s performing arts programme.
Dyala Nusseibeh, director of Abu Dhabi Art adds: “This year we have invited numerous leading curators to work with galleries and their artists across existing and new gallery sectors for the fair, enabling diverse and compelling curatorial frameworks to emerge.
“After what has been an exceptionally difficult year for the global art world, we are committed to supporting galleries that have been exhibiting with Abu Dhabi Art for years while continuing to develop new markets for the Emirates. In line with our capacity to invest in and provide meaningful curatorial content for every iteration of Abu Dhabi Art, this year will continue to see exhibition formats for our galleries brought together through the insights of guest curators.”
The fair will also feature, Beyond: Emerging Artists by Maya El Khalil, a curated selection of new work by emerging artists from across the UAE, highlighting Abu Dhabi Art’s commitment to supporting emerging artists in the development of their work.
A talks programme will also be available online, featuring some of the art world’s leading figures.
Nov 19-26. www.abudhabiart.ae.
