How did Art Dubai — now in its ninth year — morph into the borderless creative exchange that it has come to be?
Antonia Carver, the fair director, talks to tabloid! about how the fair captured the imagination of the international art world. The fair runs from March 18-21 at Madinat Jumeirah.
Q: Why is art important to us as a society?
A: Through history, artists and their works have helped us enjoy, escape from and understand our world. It is important we don’t see art as an optional ‘add-on’ to life, but at its very heart and soul. Given everything going on in the region and the world right now, there’s even more urgency for us to nurture culture within society.
Q: Much as we are buoyant on promises of world class museums and art fairs, what do you think lacks in the local art scene and what is being done to give it the boost it needs?
A: We surely need more art writers and critics. An active freelancer culture, whereby artists, curators and writers can jack in their day jobs and devote themselves to the art world, would help too. Also, dedicated art schools — like Campus Art Dubai, the school we run with DCAA and d3 [Dubai Design District] — are required.
Q: How do you feel Art Dubai has influenced the international art world?
A: When Art Dubai started in 2007, it was the first such international fair in Asia – after Art Dubai came Hong Kong, Delhi, Beirut, Abu Dhabi and others. In that sense Art Dubai marks a shift the art world such that international attention has broadened away from the traditional triumvirate of London-Paris-New York. Our fair has acted as both a catalyst – encouraging and nurturing galleries, artists, critics, collectors, appreciation on all levels – and it has also reflected the incredible development of the Gulf cities, which now complement the role of cities like Beirut, with its thriving not-for-profit artist-led scene.
Q: What you do think is Art Dubai’s greatest achievement?
A: Perhaps our biggest achievement lies in the many balancing acts we manage! Firstly, of being ‘the’ destination in the Middle East/South Asia for arts professionals while being of total relevance to the UAE community-at-large, whether arts enthusiasts or investors. Second and as importantly, of being an event that is commercially successful for our galleries and artists, while nurturing the largest not-for-profit programme of any such fair, worldwide.
Pratyush Sarup writes on design twice monthly in tabloid! on Saturday, and edits the design site designcarrot.net (@DesignCarrot).
