Sikka 2013 opens grand collage for public

Dubai: Signalling a start to a packed art calendar in March, the Sikka 2013 art fair has officially been opened to the public, offering an extensive programme that offers something for everyone.

The contemporary artist-led Sikka 2013 opened on Thursday evening with a number of community-driven and art-centred activities and initiatives.

Sikka, which will run from March 14-24 at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, is a Dubai Culture project that is held under the patronage of Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture. Sikka literally means ‘path’ in Arabic.

This year, Sikka will showcase works by over 70 Emirati and UAE-based artists, and 14 multi-disciplinary initiatives and collectives, as well as a number of special projects, panel discussions, live music and entertainment, film screenings, performances, and a child-centric educational programme.

This year the art fair is giving greater focus to music, performance arts and poetry than past editions.

Over the course of the 11-day fair, visitors can participate in a number of activities ranging from workshops, talks and discussions, guided tours and walks, film and animation screenings and children’s programmes.

One of the many activities slated for Friday, March 15, is the ‘Haiku Walk’ from 4-5:30pm, where poet and writer Frank Dullaghan, will take Sikka participants on a walk in Al Fahidi, where the participants will get to read, learn and write poetry. There will be another walk on Wednesday March 20, from 7-8:30pm.

For Urdu and Hindi speakers, The Poeticians will host an hour-long reading and poetry recital in Hindi/Urdu from 8:40-9:40pm at Courtyard A. There will also be a workshop titled ‘Introduction to Classical Arabic Music’ on Friday from 5-7pm at House 36, where local artist and music researcher, Ali Abdan, will talk about sounds and the meaning of music. He will also introduce participants to the major maqams (Arabic music melodic modes) in eastern music. Abdan will give workshops on March 15, 16, 18, 19, 21 and 22 from 5-7 pm.

Children’s activities include the workshop ‘Make your own puppet’ on Saturday, March 16, from 12-3pm at House 15, which is held by Waraq for children aged 5-10. Children will be taught how to trace portraits of each other’s faces to create their own puppet’s face. They will also learn how to make and manipulate their own puppets.

A number of workshops and activities at Sikka require prior registration. For the detailed programme of Sikka 2013 and registration details, visit www.sikka.ae.