Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – The fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Art set a benchmark for the Middle East art domain. The event was held from 20-23 November on the capital’s Saadiyat Island’s cultural district.



Abu Dhabi Art offered a collective mix of film, art installations, workshops, large-scale sculptures, seminars discussing design, new concepts like Durub Al Tawaya, Bidaya for new artists Artists’ Waves, Small is Beautiful and Design Souq. The event gave art lovers from all across the world a chance to come together, start conversations and connect.



According to Alanood Al Hammadi, one of the organizers of Abu Dhabi Art, 50 galleries participated in this year’s exhibition. “We have 90% return rate with galleries. We have galleries coming from North Africa, USA and Asia. We have 21 countries participating.” She said both halls represent a mix of European, Saudi, American and local galleries. “From UAE, we have nine galleries participating.” She told Saudi Gazette the event was an occasion to present museum quality artworks from art and design galleries.



Meem, a local gallery participating this year presented a two-part exhibition displaying works of 11 modern and contemporary Middle Eastern artists.



Ayyam gallery founded by cousins Khaled and Hisham Samawi presented works by some of the most renowned names in the Middle Eastern artsphere like Abdulnasser Gharem, Tammam Azzam and Safwan Dahoul. Ayyam launched Nadim Karam’s book ‘Stretching Thoughts’ during the exhibition.



Durub Al Tawaya is a multi-stage project that launched during Abu Dhabi Art. Boats and buses were planned to take audiences around the city in traditional dhows sailing along the shore of the city, while some boats were also wrapped in Instagram pictures relating to the growing importance of the application and its love for it.



Durub Al Tawaya connected four points of significance, or tawaya, within the city: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi Breakwater, Corniche and Mina Zayed.



A Japanese-style souq with live art installations was a new addition along with Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (Admaf) who unveiled a new award this year. There was something for everyone. Art zone gave children below 12 a chance on hands-on art-making workshop. Non-profit regional organisations were invited to highlight some of their initiatives in the Abu Dhabi Art Community space like The National Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates · The International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia, Fatema Bint Mohammed Bin Zayed Initiative (FBMI), Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and many more.



Artists present at Abu Dhabi Art engaged in conversation with the general public as art collectors also participated in visual art, seminars, film, design talks and discussions. Emirati poets Mohamed Al Mazroui and Aita Ben Masaaoud read as digital art by Hamdan Al Shamsi portrayed the love for classical Nabati poetry.



Abu Dhabi Art Design Souq, was a collaborative effort by students from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Center for Architecture, Art and Design at AUS and artisans of Intangible Cultural Heritage along with Nasir Nasrallah, Mohammad Al Mandi, Francois Clerc, Mohammed Abedin, Nazzy Beglari, Aljoud Lootah, Janeth Quintanilla and Azza Al Qubaisi. Louvre Abu Dhabi architect Jean Nouvel discussed relationship between architecture and art.



Construction of the Louvre Abu Dhabi is on its way to completion. It opens in 2015, displaying manuscripts and objects of historical and cultural significance, as well as every other thing art lovers are excited about.



Not only did the four day event highlight the prominence of art culture in the region, it also opened up a whole new world to those who walked in looking for a way out of leisure, complacent existence or those looking for the fountain of knowledge. Something only art can relate to. Plants that “sing” at the outdoors stage entrance were a confirming ode to that.