This is the week where creative go into overdrive. Here’s our definitive list of events you shouldn’t miss
Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai, two flagship events conducted under the banner of the Art Week, will take place this week. Art week is the annual summit of the UAE’s booming arts and culture scene. With dozens of exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops, meet-ups, and unveilings across the city, it’s difficult to keep track of which ones you shouldn’t miss. Here’s help with our ready reckoner of some of the most significant events to attend this week.
March 13
DIFC Art Nights: While DIFC has a reputation for pin-striped business-suit types brokering million-dollar deals during the day, come evening and the space will be transformed for a few cultural activities to coincide with Art Week. Tonight, DIFC will host its one-day bi-annual DFIC Art Nights that includes a live art session by Nilufer Najmi, a photography exhibition by Lebanese artist Bahaa Souki and also a solo show by artist Rasheed Al Shashai at the Ayyam Gallery. The various high-end restaurants on the premises will have specially curated menus for the evening. And remember that it is de rigour to take a selfie against the Dubai World Cup equestrian trophy that will be on display here.
Galleries Night, Alserkal Avenue: The Alserkal Avenue is a hub for contemporary art galleries, and this evening a number of them will open up their new exhibitions to the public, while others will debut a few pop-up projects featuring emerging artists.
March 14
Sikka Art Fair: From March 11-21, Tashkeel will host The Print Edition during the seventh edition of the Sikka Art Fair that focuses on giving Emirati and GCC artists a platform. This specific exhibition will focus on the different facets of printmaking and also educate visitors to the potential of this field.
Discover D3 Chapter 2: It is a no-brainer that D3 has become a physical space that is now synonymous with the hip and artistic side of Dubai. The open-house event encourages the public to explore the galleries, retail outlets and showrooms in the vicinity, as well as network with the businesses that lend this corner of town its indie cool vibe.
March 15
Design Days Dubai: The sixth edition of Design Days Dubai that focuses on furniture, lighting and decorative accessories will take place from March 14-17 at D3. This year, 20 of the 50 exhibitors are from the UAE – a remarkable leap from 2012 when there was only one UAE exhibitor that participated in the event. Watch out for Emirati designer Aljoud Lootah whose Tebr collection of porcelain vases, tableware and table lamps are covered in 14-karat gold motifs inspired by patterns by an old wooden door from the palace of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
March 16
Tour of Art Dubai Commissions and live performances: If it’s performance art that’s on your agenda, here’s where you should head to on Thursday. Yasmina Reggad will team up with Lana Fahmi to showcase a dance sequence based on the work of late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif, apart from curating five other performances presented by other international artists.
March 17
The Room, Cooking liberty: Beirut-headquartered art collective Atfal Ahdath has used Salvador Dali’s cookbook Les Diners de Gala concept as the inspiration for its gastronomic experience that will be on show here at Art Dubai. Can art be edible?
March 18:
Art Dubai Modern Symposium, Alserkal Avenue: Art Dubai’s latest addition to its itinerary is the Art Dubai Modern Symposium – a series of presentations and talks focused around the works of 20th century masters from South Africa, Middle East and Africa. On Saturday the talks will revolve around managing estates and safeguarding legacies, and also the shared influences from the masters across the various geographical regions.