World Art Dubai, an affordable art fair in the region, returns this week featuring more than 200 established and emerging artists from 27 countries.
The event, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will have more than 2,000 pieces of artwork on show from a range of disciplines.
The theme is "Discovering New Perspectives", and the exhibition has been curated by artists Batool Jafri, Samar Kamel, Petra Kaltenbach and Louis Wright.
“World Art Dubai is a catalyst for homegrown talent to gain exposure alongside internationally renowned artists showcasing their latest work, sharing knowledge and educating the community, with a common goal of nurturing the local art scene and supporting the UAE’s wider cultural vision,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president of exhibitions and events management at DWTC.
"After a challenging year, we are reuniting the global art ecosystem ... urging visitors to see things differently through various cultural touch points, both traditional and futuristic."
What to expect at World Art Dubai 2021
The event will feature work by artists from countries including Israel, Nigeria, Malaysia and Uzbekistan, which are participating for the first time.
In addition to the displayed artworks, the event will have performances throughout, including, for the first time, music and dance shows at various intervals.
As technology plays an increasingly important role in artistic entertainment, AI Norn, an AI-powered robot artist from Russia, will make its regional debut.
Elsewhere, a collaboration with the Theatre of Digital Art (ToDa) will take viewers on a journey that combines high-end technologies with classical art and visual effects. The show will feature two incredible masterpieces: From Monet to Kandinsky: Revolutionary Art and The Impressionists.
Meanwhile, Mahmoud Safwat, in partnership with Samsung, will offer visitors the chance to have caricatures of themselves speed-drawn on his tablet, with the unique piece being sent directly to them.
Inkopia will also be offering quick take-home pieces of digital art with their virtual-reality printing service that creates magnets with a choice of photo.
Beyond the canvas
Urban Art DXB will make a return this year with an area dedicated to graffiti and street art. Wright, one of the World Art Dubai curators, and the founder of London gallery Vandalist Art, has curated this zone that will feature live sessions from local and international artists, including Maddy Butcher, Fink 22 and Pure Evil.
A street art jam battle will also take place throughout the four-day fair, with two teams of two street artists competing against each other, and visitors will be able to vote for their favourite on Instagram.
Wearable art will also have a place at the event. Dubai fashion designer Samar Raafat will have a catwalk show featuring her handmade pieces, including intricately painted abayas and tailored suits.
Artify with Craftology by Ella Orencillo will make its return, too, offering customised apparel such as shoes, accessories and clothing with Ella’s signature pop-surrealism and vivid colours.
Workshops for all ages
The workshop corner will offer a number of classes for all ages and interests. This includes kettle painting with Dubai gallery Funun Arts, flower crown-making with Russian visual artist Valentina and photography with Nikon.
Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children will also run pottery classes, while Art Tea Talks will invite speakers and visitors to discuss art over tea throughout the exhibition.
Safety measures
World Art Dubai has partnered with Fynd.art to provide visitors with a contactless experience, so they can scan an art piece with a smartphone to learn more about the work and its maker.
Covid-19 safety measures will be implemented in line with government guidelines, including social distancing, mandatory mask wearing, regular disinfection and clearly marked and defined entry and exit areas.
World Art Dubai will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Halls 1 and 2 from Wednesday to Friday, 1pm-9pm, and on Saturday until 8pm.
Tickets are Dh20 for adults and Dh10 for children.
More information is at www.worldartdubai.com
