Art Dubai

What is Art Dubai?

Welcome to Art Dubai 2015.  This important event, now in it’s 9th year is a permanent fixture on the Dubai International Events Calendar. Welcome also to corporate entertainment, parties, glamorous locations and the chance to meet some very arty people from all over the world. Read on, take a closer look.

Where was Art Dubai held this year?

This year as in previous years, Art Dubai was held mainly at Madinat Jumeirah and the Mina A Salam hotel, part of the same complex. Design Days Dubai, also part of Art Week was held in the Downtown area of Dubai.

How many rooms of art were there at Art Dubai?

There were 2 large  gallery rooms in the Madinat Jumeirah and one large gallery room at the Mina A Salam hotel, it was easy to walk between the two venues. The 2 galleries next to each seemed busier than the one at Mina A Salam. 92 galleries representing 42 countries all exhibited this year with a focus on the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

What would you expect to see at Art Dubai?

Expect to see art exhibits from the sublime to the faintly ridiculous! After all, how do we define Art? Especially modern, contemporary art? A small shower tray with some soapy water and some of the artist’s hairs reminded me of Tracy Emin’s famous unmade bed that was on display at Selfridges window in London. I’ve put some works that stood out for me here.

What is Design Days, also part of Art Dubai?

Design Days Dubai has only been running for the past 2 years and is mainly focused on furniture related items that could be works of art in themselves. I loved this exhibition and would highly recommend you visit next year if you are at all interested in Interior Design, lighting or arty homes.  It even has unusual handmade jewellery. Design Days Dubai comprised of one large hall set up opposite the new Opera District of Dubai. It would be sensible to get a taxi there to drop you right outside the entrance as parking wasn’t that easy.

What would you expect to see at Design Days?

International and local exhibitors bring a selection of their best pieces and display them to great effect in this limited space. There were items that ranged from Italian designed falcon stands (complete with real falcons) to evil eye dressing tables with secret compartments and lights that swayed when you walked by.

Should you invest in art from Art Dubai or Design Days?

Most definitely yes. Some of the jewellery for sale at Design Days was Dhs 500 and I haven’t seen this type of jewellery anywhere in Dubai. Similarly some pieces of furniture, lighting and rugs were affordable. Obviously some of art costs hundreds of thousands of Euros so perhaps invest isn’t the right word unless you really are confident of what you’re buying. But if you really love something, know precisely where it would go in your home, you can afford it and you don’t care if it doesn’t increase (or decrease) in value then go for it!

What price ticket did you notice attached to the piece of art work made of yellow felt stickers?

You have to put it together yourself! It comes to you in a box with instructions, it can be between 6 to 9 feet in diameter (so the owner has some creative authority over the work!). It is the 5th in a series of works by an Indian artist originally from London.

Answers in a comment please…

Thank you

Monica