ART EVENT Abu Dhabi Art to Bring Exceptional Art from Around the World this November 18-21, 2015

Abu Dhabi Art presents a selection of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art galleries alongside a dynamic programme of performances, talks and sensational experiences taking place at Manarat Al Saadiyat from November 18 – 21. Held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Art is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

“With Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape maturing year on year, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority is proud to host the return of Abu Dhabi Art’s 2015 edition,” said His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, TCA Abu Dhabi. “This seventh edition presents a strong series of initiatives that bring world-class art, performances and experiences to the heart of the Emirate.”

“We look forward to welcoming the international arts community to Abu Dhabi Art once again this year,” says Rita Aoun-Abdo, Executive Director, Culture Sector, TCA Abu Dhabi. “Abu Dhabi Art celebrates the evolving cultural landscape and ever-changing contemporary art scene, and engages with the local community in a spirit of creative experimentation and intellectual discovery.”

Abu Dhabi Art offers two sectors: a public programme that connects with the wider community through a dynamic performing arts programme, talks and collaborative community initiatives; and an art fair which includes an array of renowned and emerging exhibiting galleries as well as other initiatives that help support up-and-coming artists and galleries.

Abu Dhabi Art returns with 40 established galleries from Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East. Showcasing exceptional artworks from emerging artists alongside celebrated and iconic pieces by the world’s foremost artists, galleries will continue to exhibit under the five established sections of the fair: (1) Modern, Contemporary and Design Galleries; (2) Signature, galleries presenting their emerging artists; (3) Beyond, the section for large-scale installations, sculptures and site specific commissions by selected artists; (4) Bidaya, highlighting one emerging gallery; (5) Artists’ Waves, an artist-led exhibition.

Abu Dhabi Art’s series of talks and panel discussions returns this yearwith some of the art world’s leading figures, who will engage audiences in a discourse about the complex historic and contemporary art scene in the UAE. A panel discussion featuring Richard Armstrong, Museum Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation; Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum; curators from the Louvre; moderated by Anna Somers Cocks, The Art Newspaper Founder and CEO, and introduced by the philosopher Peter Sloterdijk will explore the concept of museums in the 21st century. The discussion will highlight the narratives and discourses of the Saadiyat Cultural District museums, and their public outreach programmes and initiatives that connect with the wider city and communities of the United Arab Emirates and the region.

Abu Dhabi Art’s Bliss, is a programme of live and interactive performances curated by Fabrice Bousteau and inspired by the context and dynamism of the city of Abu Dhabi. The concept will include screenings of JR’s exceptional film Les Bosquets, inspired by French ghettos and the New York City Ballet, which brought together well known artists including Pharrell Williams, Hans Zimmer and dancer Lil Buck.

Nacera Belaza, Le Cri (The Scream), Performance / Photo credit: Agathe Poupeney

Durub Al Tawaya, curated by Tarek Abou El Fetouh,returns for its third edition, exploring the ways in which contemporary art creates zones of cultural exchange by engaging with diverse archives and influences. Believing that cultural heritage transcends national boundaries and belongs to all humanity, Durub Al Tawaya’s programme of five diverse performances addresses questions of ownership, responsibility and preservation. The programme will include Rimini Protokoll’s dramatic urban scavenger hunt Remote: Abu Dhabi and a screening of the 1969 film The Night of Counting the Years. Other performances include jazz, traditional and contemporary dance moves in Le Cri by choreographer Nacera Belaza, while Radouan Mriziga will perform a solo dance creating patterns inspired by Islamic geometry and da Vinci’s Vetruvian man.

Complementing the arts programme, this year’s Architecture Statement will present a discussion on the Rain of Light, the outstanding concept of the Louvre Abu Dhabi dome, led by its architect Jean Nouvel, who has designed a flagship museum that incorporates cutting edge design but is nevertheless integrated into the traditional landscape and heritage of the Emirates. The Design programme will present the outcomes of the Design Lab workshop where UAE based students and graduates develop their skills in architecture through a visual urban analysis of Abu Dhabi exploring the converging worlds of production and consumption in the city.

Running in parallel with Abu Dhabi Art is the biannual Emirati Expressions exhibition that presents artistic and cultural expressions by Emirati artists. The fourth edition will focus on a generation of artists who have combined a language of form and use, while bridging the gap between the various disciplines in the visual and applied arts to engage with society and invite an expanded understanding of art and its role in the UAE.

Located at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, entrance to Abu Dhabi Art will be complimentary. However, online registration is required and will open on October 18th. The seats available throughout the panel discussions will be limited. Please book in advance.

Abu Dhabi Art 2015 Participating Galleries

AB Gallery; Acquavella Galleries, Inc.; Agial Art Gallery; Aicon Gallery; ARTSPACE; Athr Gallery; Ayyam Gallery; Bugada&Cargnel; Elmarsa; Galerie Brigitte Schenk; Galerie Enrico Navarra; Galerie GP & N Vallois; Galerie Janine Rubeiz; Galerie Krinzinger; Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac; GALLERIA CONTINUA; Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde; Gallery One, Ramallah (Bidaya); Gazelli Art House; Giorgio Persano; Hanart TZ Gallery; Hauser & Wirth; Horrach Moya; Hunar Gallery; Kukje Gallery / Tina Kim Gallery; LawrieShabibi; Le Violon Bleu; Leehwaik Gallery; Leila Heller Gallery; Lisson Gallery October Gallery; Park RyuSook Gallery; Paul Stolper Gallery; SalwaZeidan Gallery; Sfeir-Semler Gallery; The Park Gallery; The Third Line and Whitestone Gallery.