The art scene in Dubai is forever growing and there are tonnes of cool, thought-provoking exhibitions happening across the city right now – and you need to check them out.
We’ve rounded up the most exciting exhibitions on show now so you can embrace a bit of culture in Dubai this summer
Discover exciting new exhibitions at Foundry
Downtown Dubai‘s newest (and coolest) community art space is hosting an eclectic series of solo art exhibitions featuring four progressive artists. You can admire striking pieces from the UAE’s Hashel Al Lamki, and Kico Camacho (presented by Art Korero) until Sunday July 25 while the works of Maxime Cramatte and Fink 22 will be on display until Wednesday August 25. Expect plenty of thought-provoking pieces that look at the pandemic and its impact on life in the UAE.
Free. Open daily 10am-10pm. Until Wed Aug 25. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, foundry.downtowndubai.ae (04 367 3696).
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Infinity des Lumières
Ever looked at a Van Gogh and felt you could feel that still life coming to, well, life? You haven’t seen anything yet. Imagine walking into an art centre that moves. Now open at The Dubai Mall, Infinity des Lumières is a brand-new, immersive digital art centre experience showcasing some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, from some of the most famous artists ever to have painted on this earth. And visitors can literally step inside these exhibitions, becoming part of each work as it slides, swirls and pulses to the sounds of carefully composed soundtracks. Among the three exhibitions currently running at the space, Van Gogh features perhaps some of the most instantly recognisable works. Pieces including The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, Starry Night and Bedroom at Arles, drift and swirl to the sounds of a carefully composed soundtrack. There’s also Dreamed Japan by Danny Rose and Verse by Thomas Vanz.
Dhs125 (adults), Dhs75 (kids aged three to 13). Open Sun-Wed 10am-9pm, Thu-Sat 10am-11pm. Level 2, opposite Galeries Lafayette, The Dubai Mall, infinitylumieres.com.
I Thought the Streets Were Paved with Gold at Art Jameel
The first solo exhibition in the Middle East of the revered, late Filipina artist Pacita Abad. This show brings together her exuberant signature works – from colourful trapunto embroideries to major paintings. The exhibition focuses on four main bodies of her work including her Masks and Spirits series, the Immigrant Experience, the Door to life series, and abstract works. The exhibition promises to take you on a compelling journey from Manila to Hong Kong, via New York, Sanaa and beyond. It is accompanied by a public programme, publication and a range of free Tagalog resources online.
Free. Open Sat-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri noon-8pm (closed Tues). Wed Sep 8-Feb13 2022. Jaddaf Waterfront, jameelartscentre.org/ (04 323 3652).
The Distance from Here at Art Jameel
Drawn from the Art Jameel collection, plus loans and new commissions, The Distance From Here is a group exhibition highlighting 11 artists’ personal responses to and interactions with space and time. The show includes works by Mona Ayyash, Yto Berrada, Hicham Benohoud, Jason Dodge, Shilpa Gupta, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Sreshta Rit Premnath, Hrair Sarkissian, Do Ho Suh, and Anup Mathew Thomas. The group exhibition explores how our bodies are materials in navigating space through touch, language, movement, and memory. The works explore the in-between spaces, both physical and non-physical, that are often forgotten. There will also be a public programme of talks, workshops, and tours, plus a film programme screening in Gallery 9 from Tuesday November 30 to Sunday January 2.
Free. Open Sat-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri noon-8pm (closed Tues). Until Sat Jan 22 2022. Jaddaf Waterfront, jameelartscentre.org/ (04 323 3652).
Some Time Away at Alserkal Avenue
This summer Alserkal is going all out with daily art, music and film events in August. Wondering what to expect? The art centre is offering deep listening sessions for some of Dubai’s audiophiles and artistic film screenings for media fans. There are also theatre and dance workshops and even group talks to engage more deeply with Dubai’s artistic community. But the star player of the summer programme is the workshops. Go into the dark at the aptly named “Darkness” workshop and leave feeling enlightened. You’ll engage in a grounding and darkly spiritual training session — led by Julius Masarovic – that’s completely devoid of light. Create intuitive art pieces while discovering what it’s like to be alone with your thoughts. On the other hand, why not rid yourself of your senses entirely? In an exclusive, one-off experience, spend 60 minutes alone in an isolation pod before reuniting in a post-isolation workshop with some of Alserkal’s most creative minds. Where do we sign up?
Open 10am-7pm. Until Sat Aug 7. Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz. alserkal.online/ (04 333 3464).
The World of Banksy at Mall of the Emirates
With very little being known about Banksy aka the world’s most notorious (and anonymous) street artist, “The World of Banksy” offers insight into his work, influences, and inspiration. The exhibition, which is the world’s largest Banksy experience in the world, is showing 120 recreated pieces of the internationally renowned street artist’s most inspirational pieces giving art enthusiasts in the region the opportunity to get up close and personal with his work. Using stencils and props to create his own social propaganda by turning the spotlight back on poignant issues, some of Banksy’s most iconic frames and murals include Girl with a Balloon in London, Flower Thrower in Beit Sahour, and Mobile Lovers in Bristol.
Dhs75 (adults), Dhs45 (kids 12 years old and under. Daily noon-midnight. Until Thu Sep 30. Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, malloftheemirates.com/events/worldofbanksy.
Try to Catch the Moon at Carbon 12
Try to Catch the Moon is running at the cool Alserkal Avenue gallery until Monday September 6 and art fans can view bold and almost dream-like paintings and sculptures from artist Amir Khojasteh. The Try to Catch the Moon paintings revolve around two symbols: the moon (what gave that away?) and the horse as Khojasteh explores the act of catching the moon as a metaphorical representation for achievement and victory. On the other hand, the intriguing sculptures explore the hypothetical thought of placing the moon atop his sculpture as a way to “catch the moon”.
Open Sat-Thu 11.30am-7pm. Until Mon Sep 6. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, carbon12.art (04 340 6016).
Volte Art Projects
This September Alserkal is welcoming a new gallery: Volte Art Projects. The gallery sits on the Avenue between 1×1 Art Gallery and Ayyam Gallery, and plans to bring big-name artists into the Dubai arts scene. The first show at Volte is expected to be centred around the intersection of art, nature, and technology and includes artists from Europe, South Africa, India, and the United States. Volte originated in Mumbai and has shown a mix of international artists, including Wim Delvoye, James Turrell, William Kentridge, and Nalini Malani. It was founded by Tushar Jiwarajka in 2009. Jiwarajka has since staged shows with major international artists, and has supported others around the world.
Sep 2021. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz. volte.art/
For your essential guide to all things art and culture across Dubai, head here.
