Five art exhibitions you simply have to see this month
What’s On has details of art exhibitions currently in Dubai and UAE, including Sharjah, Al Serkal Avenue, in Al Quoz, DIFC; it’s all the best art in Dubai.
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From the swish streets of Gate Village in DIFC to the rough ‘n’ ready Al Quoz district, Dubai has plenty of art to keep you inspired. Here are the five best exhibitions to see right now, whether you’re a casual observer or the next Charles Saatchi.
BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH
The delicacy and skill involved in the work of the three artists here – each of whom uses paper as a medium to create their ethereal and dream-like subjects – makes this a summer exhibition that is truly a (paper) cut above the rest. Perhaps most impressive are Barbara Wildenboer’s complex constructions, which cut, fold and paste books, maps and photography to create individual topographies. Her fellow exhibitees, Debjani Bhardwaj and Saba Mosoumian, more than stand up to scrutiny, both individually and when viewed collectively in this show.
Until September 1
XVA Gallery, Al Fahidi Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3535383. xvagallery.com
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
Rather like the director’s cut of a Hollywood film, Carbon 12 is using the long, hot summer to present a new ‘edit’ of its recent programme. This show of photography, sculpture, painting and video art includes previously unseen works and little-exhibited pieces from the gallery’s recent shows and regular roster of artists. Gil Heitor Cortesao will be alongside the likes of Katherine Bernhardt and Philip Mueller.
Until August 8
Carbon 12 Gallery, Warehouse D37, Street 8, Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3406016. carbon12dubai.com
CUARDO GALLERY
Over the past year, Cuadro Gallery has showcased works by ten emerging and established international artists. The best of these are showcased in a Summer Highlights exhibition, including pieces by Hunt Slonem, Aidan Salakhova, and Ammar Al Attar, as well as Cuadro’s most recent artists-in-residence, Faig Ahmed and Olivia Arthur.
Until August 30
Cuadro Gallery, Gate Village 10, DIFC, Dubai, Sun to Thur 10am to 8pm, Sat noon to 6pm. Tel: (04) 4250400. Metro: Financial Centre. cuadroart.com
CROSSROADS #16 – CRYSTALLISATION
Ever wonder what happens when you mix together photography, technology, paint, varnish and glitter? Monaco artist Fiona Ai Bubble’s first UAE exhibit is your chance to find out. Entitled Crossroads #16 – Crystallization, the exhibit shows a range of colour-splashed, sizable works. The show draws on three ‘great dichotomies’: technology and human, science and spiritual, and reality and imagination. “I believe viewers will be enchanted by the bright and pastel colours, as well as the depiction of a world which seems unreal yet so familiar and fantastic,” Bubble explains. The show is organised by Swiss Art Gate UAE in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Yas Viceroy hotel.
Light Box and Bridhge Gallery, Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, free. Tel: (04) 3958782. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. swissartgateuae.com
AMIR HOSSEIN ZANJANI
Iranian artist Amir Hossein Zanjani presents a series of large scale-oil paintings based on submission to power. Using his trademark vivid colours and expressionistic brushstrokes, he depicts military parades and ceremonies. In each scene, faces appear indistinct, individuals rendered subordinate to a greater power. Loyal soldiers march to commands from an officer, and figures dance in a form of hazing rite. The formality of rank and ritual is offset by streaks of colour, or by muddy water splashing about the ankles of seamen. Also on display is a commissioned installation composed of the faces of 700 soldiers from across the world.
“The idea of submission has always fascinated me,” explains gallery founder Ramin Salsali. “Every day of our lives we are confronted with this conflict. Our human conflict is linked to our innate need to reject force in any form. The paradox lies in the fact that often we are enamoured by this force that is greater than us.”
Until August 28
Salsali Private Museum, Al Quoz 1, Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, Sun to Thur 11am to 6pm, Sat 1pm to 5pm, free. Tel: (04) 3809600. Taxi: Alserkal Avenue. salsalipm.com
P.S.
SNAP HAPPY
The region’s photographers have been given a chance to show their work at Sharjah Art Foundation. It’s sent out an open call for submissions to its exhibition, Vantage Point Sharjah 2, which opens August 31 in SAF Art Spaces in Al Mureijah, Sharjah, until the end of November. The theme is people and portraits, and you have until July 31 to submit work.
sharjahart.org
