Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday inaugurated the fifth edition of Art Dubai, an annual event of the world of arts featuring films, fashion, jewellery and artworks.
Shaikh Mohammad toured the Art Dubai halls and viewed the latest exhibits in art, accessories and fashion. He was accompanied, among other dignitaries, by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Offering something for everyone, Art Dubai is considered the key meeting point for art scenes of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (Menasa) region to engage with those from the international art world.
Moreover, Art Dubai sheds light on other essential aspects, such as business and investment as a huge line of multinational investors use the event to invest in art.
On the education side, students can personally interact with international art sources and obtain specific information about the right college of art to join.
The fifth edition this year combines more than 81 galleries from 34 countries and includes MARKER, a dynamic new section of experimental stands, in addition to the Global Art Forum, a Gulf-wide collaboration.
It also features a new series of high-level collector talks and the third edition of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize, which has increased its number of winners to five from three.
The Les Voyages Extraordinaires, a museum-quality exhibition by Van Cleef & Arpels is another highlight this year, as is a chain of new projects that comprise over 75 artists.
Antonia Carver, Fair Director of Art Dubai, said in a press conference: "Art Dubai 2011 offers an unprecedented level of events to engage the broadest possible community who enjoy seeing, learning, discussing and collecting art.
"From non-commercial art projects to debate and discussion, films, fashion and family events, there is something for everyone at Art Dubai 2011 - from students to the world's leading collectors and arts professionals."
Carver said this year over 30 new galleries have joined Art Dubai, 29 galleries have decided to exhibit solo shows and 60 museums joined the family of the annual fair.
"The schedule of the fifth edition is variously rich in quality and quantity. We also have 40 professional speakers to take part in the assorted sessions at the Global Art Forum," she said.
