A Slice of Culture in the City This Summer
Lulu Nassar – May 29, 2024
Dubai is bustling with artistic energy, featuring a wide array of art galleries and educational exhibitions. If you have an appreciation for art, you’ll be excited to learn about the diverse art events happening in Dubai over the coming months. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure or a group outing, make sure to add these 2024 Dubai art festivals and exhibitions to your calendar.
Arte Museum Dubai
Located in the iconic Dubai Mall, Arte Museum Dubai offers a fully immersive art experience right across from Galeries Lafayette. “Eternal Nature” spans 30,000 square feet of digital art, with 14 zones that immerse visitors in various aspects of the natural world through advanced digital technology. The combination of music, lights, and projections makes this a captivating experience.
Tickets from Dhs149. Ongoing. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, dubaiartemuseum.com.
At the Edge of Land by Various Artists
The Jameel Arts Centre presents an exhibition that delves into the intricate connections between landscapes and trade routes. Featuring works from the Jameel Art Collections and international artists like Abbas Akhavan and Jananne Al-Ani, this exhibition, curated by Lucas Morin, originated at Hayy Arts, Jeddah. It highlights the maritime trade paths that link East Asia and Europe via the Gulf and the Suez Canal.
Free entry. Sat-Thu, 10am-8pm, and Fri, noon-8pm. Until Sep 29. Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront, jameelartscentre.org.
Drawing Time: Duets
Emerging from a two-year research project on paper conservation, this exhibition at Sharjah Art Foundation examines the history of drawing through rarely-seen pieces from their collection. It redefines drawing as a culturally significant practice and explores themes of duality and response.
Free entry. Until Aug 4. Gallery 4, Al Mureijah Art Space, Sharjah Art Foundation, sharjahart.org.
Hannoun by Taysir Batniji
Palestinian artist Taysir Batniji’s exhibition at Jameel Arts Centre is a must-see. It recreates the artist’s Gaza studio, which he cannot access due to the occupation. “Hannoun,” inspired by a childhood memory, features red pencil shavings symbolizing poppies, Palestine’s national flower, evoking themes of memory and loss.
Free entry. Sat-Thu, 10am-8pm, and Fri, noon-8pm. Until August. Jameel Arts Centre, jameelartscentre.org.
Reverberations: Textile as Echo by Various Artists
This exhibition at Green Art Gallery features contemporary artists like M’barek Bouhchichi and Himali Singh Soin, showcasing textiles created using traditional techniques from South and West Asia and North Africa. Expect to see unique pieces like wool cloth from Morocco and Ikat fabric from Andhra Pradesh.
Free entry. Sat-Thu, 10am-7pm. Until Jul 27. Unit 28, Alserkal Avenue, 8th Street, Al Quoz, gagallery.com.
Sheher, Prakriti, Devi
Curated by Gauri Gill in collaboration with Sabih Ahmed, this exhibition documents urban and rural spaces in India since 2003. The series “Rememory” includes works by artists like Chamba Rumal and Vinnie Gill, offering a nuanced look at semi-urban landscapes.
Free entry. Until Jun 1. Ishara Art Foundation, A3, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, ishara.org.
Short Circuits by Vikram Divecha
Vikram Divecha’s first solo exhibition in Dubai showcases installations, video works, and drawings inspired by the UAE’s urban development. Divecha, who has exhibited at the Venice Biennale and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, brings a fresh perspective on urban and social histories.
Free entry. Until Jun 16. Jameel Arts Centre, jameelartscentre.org.
Steel Life by Arnaud Rivieren
“Steel Life,” Arnaud Rivieren’s second solo exhibition, features 14 new and existing works at Custot Gallery. Rivieren’s signature stainless steel pieces, which create intricate interlocking textures, reflect his direct engagement with natural forms and architectural freedom.
Free entry. Until Jul 19. Custot Gallery, Warehouse 84, Alserkal Avenue, 8th Street, Al Quoz, alserkal.online.
That Which Does Not Belong
The Arts Club Dubai presents “That Which Does Not Belong,” its ninth stairway exhibition, featuring works by UAE-based artist collective Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian. The exhibition includes sculptures, collages, and paintings exploring themes of identity.
WonderScape by OliOli
The WonderScape exhibition at OliOli offers an interactive art experience for both kids and adults. Featuring installations by artists like Karina Smigla-Bobinski and Robin Baumgarten, the exhibition explores light, color, and sound in a fun and engaging way.
Dhs169 (one adult and one child). Mon 11am-6pm, Tue-Thu 9am-6pm, Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 9am-8pm, and Sun 9am-7pm. Until end Aug. 62 4 A Street, Al Quoz 1, olioli.ae.
Whispers of Legends by Leila Eskandari
Iranian artist Leila Eskandari’s solo exhibition “Whispers of Legends” delves into the power of storytelling. Inspired by the Persian epic Shahnameh, her dreamlike works merge myth and reality through vivid colors and flowing lines.
Free entry. Until Jul 28. Warehouse 27, Zawyeh Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, 8th Street, Al Quoz, alserkal.online.
