UAE | Heritage and Culture
Plans open for ArtParis Abu Dhabi
ArtParis Abu Dhabi is returning in November with a promise to reassert Abu Dhabi's position as meeting point for contemporary art in the region.
- By Marten Youssef, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:52 September 15, 2008
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
- Caroline Lacoste, fair director and founder of ArtParis in France.
Abu Dhabi: ArtParis Abu Dhabi is returning in November with a promise to reassert Abu Dhabi's position as meeting point for contemporary art in the region.
The successful ArtParis Abu Dhabi 2007 inspired this year's exhibition with an emphasis on promoting Arab artists, young talent and contemporary art.
The art fair is promising to attract 15,000 people from across the world. Last year, 10,000 people attended the event.
"It is our goal to make this event bigger and better than last year, even though last year was a monumental success," Caroline Lacoste, fair director and founder of ArtParis in France told Gulf News.
Ten years ago, when Lacoste founded ArtParis, France reaffirmed itself as the art capital.
"I realised that the Middle East has an untapped wealth of art. Abu Dhabi specifically, was keen to establish a cultural identity. So I came here in 2006 and within two months, we had a plan. I was amazed at their expedience and interest. Eight months later, we had the first ArtParis Abu Dhabi in 2007, which we never expected this kind of success," Lacoste said.
With a turnover of nearly $16 million in art sales at the three-day event last year, the organisers are certain this is about much more than money.
"This is a self-generating function...but the bigger goal is to promote Abu Dhabi. I will personally be bringing 15 international journalists for the programme and there will be so many people attending from across the world," Lacoste said.
With the support of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, ArtParis Abu Dhabi will exhibit 57 galleries, including 14 for the Arab world. A total of 700 artists, representing 22 countries will take part.
The event will be held from November 17 to 21 at the Emirates Palace and will be free of charge for the public.
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