Now in its 10th year, Art Dubai brings with it a diverse line-up of 90 galleries from the United Arab Emirates and beyond. There’s more than ever to see and do in this futuristic playground of a city—here’s some advice on how to survive this year’s fair—and to round it all off, here’s a list of must-see gallery shows you owe it to yourself to visit in person.
A relatively recent addition to the local scene, Leila Heller Gallery is currently offering two killer shows from two wildly different artists. Iranian American artist Y.Z. Kami presents a large-scale, sprawling installation of meditative sculptures, paintings, and works on paper. “Consider the act of transformation as a journey toward light,” the artist is quoted in the press release. Next door is a survey exhibition of the career of Italian master Michelangelo Pistoletto, ranging from his earliest portraits to his fascinating mirror paintings.
Be sure to also visit Ayyam Gallery for the energetic, psychedelic abstractions of the British-Iraqi artist Athier Mousawai. Then, over at The Third Line, Hassan Hajjaj continues his ongoing practice of examining the lives of Arab women in contemporary culture through humorous and confrontational photographic series. The Third Line’s other current exhibition, “When Heartstrings Collapse,” is a more subdued affair, offering stunning abstract photographs created using the technology of the scanning electron microscope. Lastly, be sure to hit up Custot Gallery for an impressive line-up that includes Frank Stella, Chu-Teh-Chun, James Rosenquist, Zao Wou-Ki, and many more.
You can do the indoor ski resort some other time. This week in Dubai is for art.
Athier Mousawai, Machine Hearts 4 (2015). Courtesy of Ayyam Gallery.
Exhibition: “Athier: Machine Hearts”
When: March 14–May 30, 2016
Where: Ayyam Gallery, 12 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Y.Z. Kami Rumi, The Book of of Shams e Tabrizi (In Memory of Mahin Tajadod) (2005). Courtesy of Leila Heller Gallery.
Exhibition: “Y.Z. Kami: White Domes”
When: March 9–April 25, 2016
Where: Leila Heller Gallery, I-87, Alserkal Aenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Michelangelo Pistoletto, The Apple of Concord (2007). Courtesy of Leila Heller Gallery.
Exhibition: “Michelangelo Pistoletto”
When: March 14–April 25, 2016
Where: Leila Heller Gallery, I-87, Alserkal Aenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hassan Hajjaj, Nabila Boxer (2011). Courtesy of The Third Line.
Exhibition: “Hassan Hajjaj, La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes”
When: March 14–April 16, 2016
Where: The Third Line, Street 6, AL Quoz 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Exhibition: “Sara Naim: When Heartstrings Collapse”
When: March 14–April 16, 2016
Where: The Third Line, Street 6, AL Quoz 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Seher Shah, Untitled (cantilever cut) (2015). Courtesy of the Green Art Gallery.
Exhibition: “Seher Shah: The Lightness of Mass”
When: March 14–May 9, 2016
Where: Green Art Gallery, Al Quoz 1, Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Unit 28, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Ghazel, Dyslexia 2 (2015). Courtesy of Carbon 12.
Exhibition: “Ghazel: Mea Culpa”
When: March 14–May 1, 2016
Where: Carbon 12, Unit D37, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Abdelkader Benchamma, LA Battle (2015). Courtesy of Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde.
Exhibition: “Abdelkader Benchamma”
When: March 14–May 5, 2016
Where: Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde, 12 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Stéphanie Saadé, Re-Enactment LB/Taxi (2013). Courtsy of Grey Noise.
Exhibition: “Stéphanie Saadé: The Shape of Distance”
When: March 14–May 7, 2016
Where: Grey Noise, Unit 24, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Frank Stella. Courtesy of Custot Gallery.
Exhibition: “Chu Teh-Chun, Ian Davenport, Robert Indiana, Jedd Novatt, Marc Quinn: The World Meets Here”
When: March 14–May 7, 2016
Where: Custot Gallery Dubai, Unit I-84, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates