Emirates Palace: The Guggenheim Exhibition (Nov 17-Feb 4): Is it 2013 already? Not quite, but this exhibition offers a glimpse into the future. It explores the history of Western abstract painting in the first half of the last century, from cubism to neo-plasticism. The start of a new era?
Why visit? We’ve seen what the Louvre has to offer, now check out the rival.
Ghaf Art Gallery: Perhaps the best gauge of Abu Dhabi’s still-burgeoning art scene is that, despite only opening in 2006, the Ghaf remains the city’s oldest contemporary art gallery. Nevertheless this is one of the more inventive galleries and always surprises.
Khaleej Al Arabi Street, near British Veterinary (02 665 5332).
Why visit? Jalal Luqman, Under a Thousand Masks (Nov 9-30).
Salwa Zeidan Gallery: Surprisingly, Salwa is the only city gallery showing at this month’s Art Abu Dhabi extravaganza. Owner and artist Zeidan, known for her rather stark, abstract paintings, in particular tends to err on the side of feminine spirituality.
Khaleej Al Arabi, near British Veterinary (02 666 9656).
Why visit? The Local Exhibition (Nov 3-22).
Emirates Palace: Abu Dhabi Art (Nov 19-22): Four whole days of lectures, paintings, workshops and opportunities to buy, look at and touch art from galleries across the world. It replaces Art Paris; but, truth be told, the sentiment is pretty much the same. Rumours of poor sales dogged its predecessor and the capital is pretty sparsely represented, with Dubai galleries Art Sawa, B21 and The Third Line mostly flying the flag for the UAE. However, the international line-up is compelling, with Paris’s Galorie Valois, Cairo’s gallery The Townhouse and The Gargosian from the US particularly taking the eye.
Why visit? A lot of money is being spent on the ‘culture vote’. The turnout will say a lot.
Al Qibab Gallery: Qibab has made a specialism of Iraqi and Arabic art. Gallery owner Lamees Raouf is a one-woman cultural invasion. Her exhibitions also tend to incorporate more than just simply artists, with handicrafts and traditional bazaars going a step beyond.
Villa 3, Street 15, Al Bateen (02 665 2350).
Why visit? Mesopotamia (Nov 10-30).
Accento Gallery: Late last year, the number of independent galleries practically doubled in the same month thanks to the addition of Acento and Salwa Zeidan’s new gallery late last year. An oasis of cool calm in the midst of Meena Port, this is the city’s first loft-art gallery (ie the focus is on ‘enhancing space’ – art for your home’s sake); it’s also a rarity in the UAE, being that it specialises in Mexican art – not exactly prolific in the Emirates. However, it does also feature some decent exhibitions.
Street 13, Warehouse No6, Meena Port Area (02 673 6900).
Why visit? Vasad Exhibition (Nov 8-22).
Saadiyat Island: Disorientation II (Nov 21-Feb 20): The first return on Saadiyat Island’s massive culture spend, Manarat Al Saadiyat is the giant exhibition centre set to house future exhibitions from the Guggenheim and Louvre in the run up to their 2013 opening. In the meantime the Arts Abu Dhabi Gallery is showing this exhibition curated by Sharjah Biennial director Jack Persekian. Grand opening on November 21 (7pm-10pm). Transport from Emirates Palace Saturday night and all Sunday.
Why visit? It’s the first chance to see Saadiyat Island in action.
Even if you don’t get art you’ll like this…
Max Lamb
British designer Max Lamb is the Jamie Oliver of sandcasting. The excitable Brit will be cooking up pewter sand sculptures on the beach of Emirates Palace. Basically, you make a hole, pour molten pewter into it and stand well back, then dig up your very own wonky pewter chair.
Emirates Palace, Nov 19, 6pm-8pm; Nov 20 6pm-10pm; Nov 21 10am-6pm (full day workshop).
The Wings Party
A survivor from Art Paris, Fabrice Bousteau’s art symposium-cum-art beach get together has a theatre atmosphere and enough experimental music, food, drink and guests to qualify as a swanky party, except that the main topic of conversation is ‘Abu Dhabi on the crossroads of the silk road’.
Emirates Palace, Nov 19 7pm-1am.
