Panels, exhibiting artists, participating galleries and film programme from 20 -23 November underscore transnational artistic experience
Together
with works from 50 participating galleries, Abu Dhabi Art’s Public Programme
explores the notion of the transnational, or how art extends beyond geographic
boundaries, through the perspectives of influential artists, curators,
collectors, gallerists and scholars from around the world.
The
2013 Programme highlights the discovery of new art and artists; introduces
transnational perspectives on Pop Art and the mediated image; questions the
notion of value and the means by which it is created; and considers the
shifting scale of art – from 12 Beyond
(large-scale works) situated throughout Abu Dhabi Art, to art from
the exhibition Small is
Beautiful which sits in the palm of your hand.
A
highlight panel exploring about the close affinities and at times relationship
between art and architecture welcomes legendary artists, architects and
representatives of leading museums and galleries; conceptual artist Jenny Holzer, architect Jean Nouvel, Alain Seban, President
of the Pompidou Centre in Paris and gallerist Thaddaeus Ropac, to discuss the critical
role of both art and architecture in the vision and life-blood of cities.
The
four days feature a special parallel presentation of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: Talking Art
Series, a set of in-depth discussions with artists from around
the world whose works are part of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi permanent
collection. The focus will be a transnational dialogue on themes such as Pop Art and the Mediated Image;
System, Process, Concept; and
History, Memory Narrative discussed by participating artists Angela Bulloch, Yang Fudong, Heinz
Mack, Marwan, Hassan Sharif and Monika Sosnowska.
Gallerists
Johnson Chang, Lorenzo
Fiaschi, Mohammed Hafiz and Isabelle van den Eynde discuss the
dichotomy of value and art. A panel linked to the exhibition series Emirati Expressions, the
latest edition which is running
at Manarat Al Saadiyat until January
2014 includes Abdul
Qadr Al Rais, Dr.
Najjat Makki, Jalal
Luqman, Sumayyah
Al Suwaidi and Mattar
bin Lahej. These artists of different generations will explore
their connectedness through a history of mentorship, education and efforts to
establish a solid infrastructure for the arts in the UAE.
Finally,
a range of artistic responses to the different socio-economic and political
situations throughout Arab cities today is explored in a series of films by the
Sharjah Art Foundation Film Programme curated by the foundation’s Director Hoor Al-Qasimi called
‘Where are the Arabs?’. Work by Joanna
Hadjithomas and Khalil
Joreige, Rania
Stephan, Lamia Joreige and Jayce Salloum among others will be
included.
‘Whether
explored through Abu Dhabi Art’s extensive public programme of panels and
workshops, seen in our film series, or experienced through the works on show by
our participating galleries, Abu Dhabi Art 2013 is underscored by the
experience of the artistic practice flowing across national borders and other
traditional boundaries,” said Tairone Bastien, Senior Public Programmes
Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).
“Rather
than highlighting the differences between artists and regions, or labelling
them by country, the transnational approach blurs those lines to celebrate the
commonality and sense of community felt by artists globally, and this is a key
theme of Abu Dhabi Art 2013,” adds Reem Al Mansoori, Public Programmes Officer,
TCA Abu Dhabi.
With
a 91% return rate
of galleries from 2012, the theme of the ‘transnational’ and its reference to
the movement, exchange and sharing of ideas across borders – is a reoccurring
idea reflected by this year’s line-up of exhibitors, artists and programming.
Abu
Dhabi Art 2013 presents 50 galleries from all over the world:
- Galleries
from the Middle East and North Africa total 16 exhibitors, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and
the UAE. This year’s Bidaya (beginning’
in Arabic) gallery, Dubai-based
LawrieShabibi, recognizes an emerging gallery making
strides within the international art scene. Athr Gallery, the
leading contemporary gallery in Saudi Arabia, presents works by Ahmed Mater,
including a large-scale installation ‘Cowboy Code’ which pays homage to
boys and the Wild West, while referencing notions of religious equality.
- 44%
of exhibitors represent Europe,
including galleries from France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, the UK,
Italy, Spain and Ireland. Specialising
in European and American contemporary art Galerie Thaddaeus
Ropac showcases a sculpture by Austrian
artist Erwin
Wurm who redefined the term sculptural work. Paris-based Galerie Enrico Navarra also
brings Frank Stella.
- 12%
of exhibiting galleries hail from the USA. New York based gallery Cheim & Read
debuts at Abu Dhabi Art this year and presents an installation by the late
contemporary master Louise
Bourgeois.
- Three
galleries from Asia represent artists from Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and
South Korea. Chinese
artist Zhang Hongtu, represented by Taipei and Beijing
based Tina Keng Gallery, presents a large scale painting entitled Shanshui a series
that began in 1998. Hongtu is a founder of The Chinese United Overseas
Artists Association, along with fellow Chinese artist and past Abu Dhabi
Art exhibitor Ai Weiwei.
Abu Dhabi Art organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism &
Culture Authority is an annual platform for modern and contemporary art and
design to be held from 20-23 November 2013. Sponsored by Julius Baer, the leading Swiss private banking
group with a focus on serving and advising sophisticated private clients, Abu
Dhabi Art is held at Manarat Al Saadiyat and the iconic UAE
Pavilion on Saadiyat Island. For more information visit: www.abudhabiart.ae
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