Hot on the heels of Art Dubai just a month ago, the international art crowd is set to return to the United Arab Emirates for World Art Dubai. While the fair is set to generate real buzz amongst the Middle Eastern contemporary art scene, there will be plenty of attention on the thriving gallery scene as well. It starts on Alserkal Avenue, known as the art hub of Dubai, which showcases an eclectic selection of exhibitions this week. New York-based, Leila Heller Gallery is exhibiting Bill Viola’s video work, which portrays desert and water as a symbolic representation of life and death. If that sounded a little too conceptual, hop over to local gallery The Third Line to see their fourth solo exhibition of French-based photographer Fouad Elkoury, who has captured an intimate portrayal of his travels through Egypt since the late 1980s. Mounir Fatmi is having his first solo show titled “Inside the Fire Circle” in one of the neighborhood staples, Lawrie Shabibi. Showcasing sculptures, installations, and photographs, he explores his interest in the form of the circle and its symbolic meaning throughout history—a recurring theme in his practice.

There is no shortage of shows to see, all within a hop, skip, and a jump away from one another, so get to it while you can.

Mounir Fatmi, Calligraphy of Fire 3 (2015). Courtesy of Lawrie Shabibi.

Bill Viola, Howard (2008). Courtesy of Leila Heller Gallery.

Exhibition: “Inside the Fire Circle”
When: March 8–April 27, 2017
Where: Lawrie Shabibi, Alserkal Avenue, Unit 21, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE

Exhibition: “Bill Viola, The Vast: Mirrors of the Mind”
When: March 9–April 22, 2017
Where: Leila Heller Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, UAE

Vikram Divecha, 5 Minutes (2017). Courtesy of Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde.

Exhibition: “Minor Work: Vikram Divecha”
When: March 9–May 11, 2017
Where: Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, UAE

Exhibition: “Redemptive Narratives and Migrating Patterns”
When: March 11–May 25, 2017
Where: XVA Gallery, Al Fahidi Neighborhood, Bur, Dubai, UAE

Ian Davenport, Puddle Painting: Ivory Black (2009). Courtesy of Custot Gallery Dubai.

Hera Büyüktaşçıyan, Everflowing Pool of Nectar (detail view) (2017). Courtesy of Green Art Gallery.

Exhibition: “BLACK, WHITE . . .”
When: March 13–May 31, 2017
Where: Custot Gallery Dubai, Alserkal Avenue, Unit 84, Street 6A, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, U.A.E

Exhibition: “Hera Büyüktaşçıyan: Write Injuries on Sand and Kindness in Marble”
When: March 13–May 6, 2017
Where: Green Art Gallery, Al Quoz 1, Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Unit 28, Dubai, UAE

Fouad ElKoury, Kuchuk Hanem (1990). Courtesy of The Third Line.

Exhibition: “Fouad Elkoury: Suite Egyptienne”
When: April 13–May 16, 2017
Where: The Third Line, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Street 8, Dubai, UAE

Hadeyeh Badri. Courtesy of Tashkeel.

Exhibition: “The Body Keeps the Score”
When: April 13–May 11, 2017
Where: Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, UAE