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Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading international financial hub and destination for lifestyle, arts and culture, hosted the first Art Nights of 2018 on 19th March at DIFC’s Gate Village under the theme ‘Bridging the gap’.
Brought by Gate Avenue at DIFC, the new premium urban retail, leisure and cultural development at the heart of the Centre, Art Nights featured the second edition of DIFC Art Integration Programme in collaboration with Opera Gallery Dubai presenting 5 monumental sculptures from world renowned Spanish artist, Manolo Valdes, in the Centre and around the iconic Gate Building.
Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, is acting as the ‘Cultural Partner’ for this season in line with its vision of positioning Dubai as a global, creative and sustainable city for culture, heritage, arts and literature. Dubai Culture presented Arabic calligraphy with fine art paint by the Emirati artistFatima AlHammadi as part of SIKKA Art Fair.
In line with the Year of Zayed, The Empty Quarter Gallery presented a special exhibition as a testimony to the late Sheikh Zayed featuring historic photographs from Magnum photographer Bruno Barbey, together with other collections that show the UAE’s transformation into a thriving and vibrant nation. Kuwait fine jewellery label INTISARS founded by Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah also showcased a limited-edition Emirati Aqqal collection created to commemorate the ‘Year of Zayed’.
Tabari Art Space opened their exhibition Khaled Zaki Resurrection, a series of nine marble sculptures by Egypt’s Khaled Zaki. Ayyam Gallery’s exhibition showcased new works by renowned painter Safwan Dahoul, while Andalukova Gallery presented a solo show of colourful monumental scrolls by Yuristanbek Shygaev titled Archaic’s Echo.
Al Jalila Foundation presented World Doctors Orchestra in concert. For the first time in the region, World Doctors Orchestra brought together physicians from around the world. The brilliantly talented doctors exchanged their stethoscopes for musical instruments to perform masterpieces such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.
Alya Al-Zarouni, Executive Vice President of Operations at DIFC Authority, said: “DIFC Art Nights bridges the gap between local and global cultural scenes, presenting work by emerging and established artists from around the world complementing Dubai’s activations which take place during Dubai Art Season. Art Nights is one of DIFC’s most popular events throughout the year engaging our community of art, culture and entertainment businesses as well as offering visitors the chance to participate in creative and artistic activities. We look forward to expanding DIFC’s dynamic lifestyle offering further as we approach the opening of Gate Avenue at DIFC, which will bring fresh local talents and new cultural programmes.”
Sotheby’s Dubai highlighted works from upcoming London sales such as 20th Century Art/ Middle East, The Orientalist Sale and Arts of the Islamic World. West Contemporary at Capital Club showcased works by artist Robi Walters. Mestaria presented The Warriors by Antonio Signorini.
International Emerging Artist Award winner Sandra Fadayel showed Find Your Tribe, a work celebrating human connection. Photographer Laura El-Tantawy displayed Beyond Here is Nothing in partnership with Gulf Photo Plus.
The Fatima bint Mohamed bin Zayed Initiative collaborated with the Lebanese designer Nada Debsfor a new line of handmade carpets named the YOU&I Collection. The Farjam Foundationopened Out of Focus/Union, an exhibition of paintings and installations by six emerging artists from Iran, Iraq and the Indian subcontinent.
DIFC’s exceptional collection of fine dining restaurants and cafes also participated, including BOCA, Crab Market and the Ritz Carlton.
Art has been deeply embedded in the Centre’s offering since its establishment in 2004. To coincide with Art Dubai and in recognition of the important role that art plays in our society, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority created the ‘100 Highlights from the DIFC Art Collection’ book. The book which will be showcased during Art Dubai includes an artwork featuring a poetry by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. It also captures unique art pieces from the Centre’s art collection by internationally celebrated artists, whose work is also on display in some of the world’s leading museums and galleries.
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