The 17th edition of Art Dubai took place from March 1 to 3, 2024, at Madinat Jumeirah, bringing together over 120 international and local galleries. This event showcased contemporary, modern, and digital art, offering a comprehensive insight into the significance of this event in the UAE’s artistic landscape.
Context and Key Highlights
Art Dubai 2024, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, featured modern and contemporary artworks from the Global South to a global audience. The event was organized into four main sections: Art Dubai Contemporary, Art Dubai Modern, Art Dubai Digital, and Bawwaba. Bawwaba, meaning “gateway” in Arabic, was curated by Emiliano Valdes and showcased works created in the past year or specifically for the fair.
Exploration and In-depth Insights
The 2024 edition included a series of commissioned performances exploring the role of art in challenging times, along with the Global Art Forum titled Whether or Not, which addressed the relationship between extreme weather conditions and change. An inaugural digital summit was also held to discuss strategies for developing Dubai’s digital art ecosystem.
Cultural and Educational Immersion
The program featured the A.R.M Holdings Children’s Programme, led by Indian artist Sahil Naik, offering art workshops to children from UAE schools. Additionally, the HUNA Sculpture Park was inaugurated with works by international artists such as Rana Begum and Shaikha Al Mazrou. Clinique La Prairie presented a sculpture by Syrian artist Sara Naim, and BMW provided an experiential installation with Emirati artist Asma Belhamer.
Art Dubai 2024 provided a rich and diverse experience, reinforcing its position as a hub for artistic communities and institutions in the MENASA region. The event not only celebrated contemporary and digital art but also contributed to the development of Dubai’s cultural and creative ecosystem.
