THURSDAY MARCH 16, 2017

OFFSITE EVENTS – , , UAE

10:30–3pm Exhibition Tour: NYUAD Art Gallery, Warehouse 421 and Manarat Al Saadiyat

NYUAD Art Gallery Exhibition: But We Cannot See Them: Tracing a UAE Underground, 1988- 2008 The UAE has, and has had, many creative communities, both apparent and unknown. But We Cannot See Them focuses on one such formation of artists, sometimes called ‘the 5’, a number that in fact varied widely in the decades framing the 1990s. These artists were at a core intersection of artists, writers, and filmmakers based in the UAE who identified with a ‘new culture’ of encouraging radical, formal and conceptual experimentation. This exhibition runs in tandem with a book of interviews with these artists. Curated by Maya Allison with Bana Kattan, in collaboration with Alaa Edris and featuring artists Hassan Sharif, Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, Abdullah Al Saadi, Mohammed Kazem, Hussain Sharif, Vivek Vilasini, Jos Clevers, and Ebtisam Abdulaziz.

Warehouse 421 Exhibition: Bayn: the in-between U.A.E. Unlimited is a satellite platform founded and supported by art patron His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. The platform is managed by Executive Director, Shobha Pia Shamdsani, and supports emerging Emirati and UAE-based artists. The third exhibition by U.A.E. Unlimited features the works of eight emerging visual and sound artists, curated by Munira Al Sayegh and mentored by guest artist Manal Al Dowayan, whose practice encompasses a diverse range of media including black and white photography, sculpture, video, sound, neon and large-scale participatory installations.

Manarat Al Saadiyat Exhibition: The Creative Act: Performance• Process• Presence The second exhibition of the Collection brings together artists of different nationalities and generations who have emphasized performance, process and human presence in their practice, offering a transcultural perspective on those defining aspects of contemporary art. Featured artists include Rasheed Araeen, Mohammed Kazem, Shiraga Kazuo, Tanaka Atsuko, Niki de Saint Phalle, Günther Uecker and Anish Kapoor. Curated by Valerie Hillings, Ph.D., Curator and Manager, Curatorial Affairs, Abu Dhabi Project; Sasha Kalter-Wasserman, Assistant Curator, Abu Dhabi Project; with Sarah Dwider, Curatorial Assistant, Abu Dhabi Project, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation; and Maisa Al Qassimi, Head of Programmes - Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, with Munira Al Sayegh, Programmes Officer - Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. Location: Various locations around Abu Dhabi

10am–1pm Artist Studio Visits: Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, & Hesam Rahmanian and eL Seed Ramin Haerizadeh (born 1975, Tehran, Iran), Rokni Haerizadeh (born 1978, Tehran, Iran) and Hesam Rahmanian (born 1980, Knoxville, USA) have lived and worked together in Dubai since 2009. Their first collaborative exhibition I Put It There You Name It (2012) recreated the delirious atmosphere of their Dubai home in a gallery context through painted floors, assemblage, and unique collaboratively created objects. The trio has shown at the Kunsthalle Zurich, Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art, and in December presented their first solo museum show in the US at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Boston.

The French/Tunisian eL Seed’s intricate calligraphic compositions call not only on the words and their meaning but also on their movement, which ultimately lures the viewer into a different state of mind. Working primarily with subjects that seem contradictory, his art reflects the reality of mankind and the world we live in today. eL Seed installs his work in public spaces, galleries and institutions on every continent. From the streets of Paris or New York, to the favelas of Rio Di Janeiro or the slums of Cape Town, his contemporary approach aims to bring people, culture and generations together. Location: Various locations around Dubai

11am–3pm Guided Tours of Galleries Guided tours of the galleries participating in Art Dubai 2017 include: 1x1 Gallery, Ayyam Gallery, Carbon 12, Elmarsa, Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde, Green Art Gallery, Lawrie Shabibi, Leila Heller Gallery, Custot Gallery and The Third Line in Alserkal Avenue plus Meem Gallery in Al Quoz. Location: Al Quoz and Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

ONSITE EVENTS AT ART DUBAI

2:30–7pm Talk: Global Art Forum 11 Trading Places will explore the relationship between the economy of goods and ideas that constantly shape who and where we are. The Global Art Forum is presented by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and supported by Dubai Design District (d3). Access: Open to all Location: Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah

3–4pm Artist Talk: Jitish Kallat, Here After Here Catherine David, Deputy Director, Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, Murtaza Vali, Sharjah-Brooklyn based historian, curator and renowned artist Jitish Kallat discuss Here After Here, a mid-career survey of Kallat’s work at National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi. Curated by Catherine David, the exhibition brings together over 100 works across a time- frame of 25 years revealing the artist’s continual engagement with ideas of time, sustenance, recursion and historical recall, and his recurrent deliberations on the cosmopolis and the distant cosmos. This conversation will center around the exhibition and two accompanying monographs, and how they collectively explore the many processes, themes and ideas that reappear throughout his artistic practice. Location: Art Dubai Modern Lounge, Mina A’Salam

4–4:30pm Tour: Art Dubai Modern led by Kristine Khouri of the Art Dubai Modern curatorial committee Location: Meet at entrance of Art Dubai Modern Lounge, Mina A’Salam

4pm (1 hour) Performance: Lana Fahmi, What Modernity? What Modernity? [working title] performs dance pieces and phrases that engage with Art Dubai Modern’s exhibited artworks in relation with the history of performative arts in the Arab world. Lana Fahmi approaches and takes advantage of the gallery hall to defeat the traditional setting and protocol of the theatrical space and duration when the audience sits down and lights are turned off for an agreed time. Location: Meet at the entrance to Art Dubai Modern, Mina A'Salam

4–5pm The Abraaj Terrace Talks: Collecting: From a Private Passion to the Public Domain Collector Mohammed Afkhami has created a remarkable collection of modern and contemporary Iranian art in just over a decade, with the collection having evolved from a passion for the aesthetics to the realization that Iran’s greatest contribution to the world has been its rich cultural heritage.

In conversation with Venetia Porter, Curator, Islamic and Contemporary Middle East Art at the British Museum and introduced by Henry Kim, Director at the Aga Khan Museum. Access: Prior RSVP required Location: Water Terrace of the Abraaj Group Lounge, Madinat Jumeirah

4–5pm Book Launch: Rashid Rana Catalogue This new Rashid Rana catalogue is produced to accompany the artist’s first show in Dubai. Rana’s unique career – while he first came to prominence in South Asia before gaining wider, international exposure after the millennium – has made a significant contribution of an entirely new kind of art from Pakistan. Presenting an impressive diversity within his practice, the publication looks at how Rana complicates and realigns such divided notions as figuration and abstraction, manipulation and reality, but also succeeds in knocking the world off its axis and transcending both traditional and technological means of communication. Location: Leila Heller Gallery, Booth A8, Hall 1, Madinat Jumeirah

4:30–5pm Tour: The Abraaj Group Art Prize 2017 Ongoing curator and artist led tours by Guest Curator Omar Berrada, winning artist Rana Begum and shortlisted artists Doa Aly, Sara Abu Abdallah and Raha Raissnia. Location: Meet outside the entrance of the Abraaj Group Art Prize exhibition, Madinat Jumeirah

4:30–5:30pm Artists Talk: Bayn, with Munirah Al Sayegh Bayn: the in-between, seeks to describe, question, and expand on the threshold found amid a starting point and its end introducing a sense of ceremony when looking at change. Throughout this exhibition the state of in-between is highlighted as equally important to both the definitive beginning (the history of the United Arab Emirates) and its end goal, (the future). Leading up to the exhibition, the artists in this exhibition alongside the curator would meet once a week to read a text relevant to the theme. This participatory talk presented by U.A.E. Unlimited will invite the audience to read, and discuss a text on liminality, alongside some of the artists and the curator, Munirah Al Sayegh. . Location: Julius Baer Lounge, Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah

4:30–5:30pm King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture: Saudi Artists Open-Call Announcement King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is pleased to collaborate with Art Dubai to announce the launch of the first Saudi Artist open call. This will be an opportunity for Saudi artists to have a unique platform to showcase their commissioned art installations at Art Dubai 2018, and the winning art work will become part of King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture permanent Art collection in Saudi Arabia. Access: RSVP for this event is essential. RSVP closes March 12. Location: Art Dubai Modern Lounge, Mina A’Salam, Dubai

5–5:30pm Tour: Art Dubai Commissions Led by curator Yasmina Reggad with artists commissioned to create site-specific performances. Artists include: Manuel Pelmuş, Lana Fahmi, Eglė Budvytytė, Iván Argote and Pauline Bastard. Part of Art Dubai's not-for-profit projects programming. Location: Meet at the Art Dubai Projects Booth, Joharah Foyer, Madinat Jumeirah

5–6pm The Abraaj Terrace Talks: Louvre Abu Dhabi Director Manuel Rabate, and Cultural Advisor, UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs Dr. Zaki Nusseibeh discuss the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s opening, and what it means for the UAE and the wider region. The talk will also touch on the architecture of the Jean Nouvel- designed building, key highlights from the collection and how the museum will facilitate the cultivation of an art-appreciating society. Access: Prior RSVP required Location: Water Terrace of the Abraaj Group Lounge, Madinat Jumeirah

5–6pm Book Launch: Ardeshir: Stormy Winds and Fereydoun Ave: The Designer Dastan’s Basement’s launches its recent publications Ardeshir: Stormy Winds, part of the Ardeshir Project defined as a study of the works of Ardeshir Mohassess and Fereydoun Ave: The Designer, winner of the first award in book design at the fourth biennial of Iranian Graphic Designers Society (Sarv-e-Noghre’ee) at Art Dubai. Location: Dastans Basement, Booth C4, Hall 1, Madinat Jumeirah

5:30–6pm Tour: Piaget’s ‘Sunny Side of Life’ For their second showcase at Art Dubai, Piaget presents their latest High Jewellery and Watchmaking collection: ‘Sunny Side of Life’. Location: Meet at entrance of Piaget Exhibition, Madinat Jumeirah

5:30pm (3 hours) Ongoing Action: Manuel Pelmuş, Private Collection Private Collection is a collection consisting of live enactments of several art works that have disappeared in private collections. The ongoing action aims at bringing those art works back into the public sphere. Private Collection will be up for sale during Art Dubai for the amount of one US dollar. The buyer, however, will sign a contract, committing to show the collection at least once a year in a public institution, museum or gallery, for at least three years, and take charge of the costs for the re-installment of the work. Location: Art Dubai Modern, Mina A'Salam

6–6:30pm Tour: Homage Without An Homage Led by curator- artist Cristiana de Marchi, the exhibition presented by Julius Baer features works by artists from different generations who have been mentored, influenced or inspired by Hassan Sharif’s practice and teaching. Location: Meet at entrance of Julius Baer Lounge, Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah

6–7PM The Abraaj Terrace Talks: Omar Berrada & Rana Begum 2017 Prize curator Omar Berrada in conversation with Prize winner Rana Begum about her career to date and the thoughts behind her winning piece. Location: Water Terrace of the Abraaj Group Lounge, Madinat Jumeirah

6–7pm Book Launch: Mahmoud Said Catalogue Raisonné As the first published catalogue raisonné on any Middle Eastern artist is launched, Sultan Sooud Al Qassimi will be discussing with co-authors Valérie Didier Hess and Dr. Hussam Rashwan the process of realising this comprehensive book on one of the fathers of Modern Egyptian Art, Mahmoud Saïd (1897-1964) and its significance for the art scene. After five years of thorough research and thanks to the generous support of private collectors and international auction house Christie’s, the authors present a lavishly illustrated book in two volumes, presenting all the paintings and drawings discovered to date, complemented by ground-breaking articles written by some of the leading academics in the field. Location: Art Dubai Modern Lounge, Mina A’Salam

7:30 (30 mins) Performance: Eglė Budvytytė, Soft Voice, Harsh Melody Using the sound of her voice, playing with vulnerable speech, awkward gestures and uncertain presence, the artist plays with the foundations of public speaking to speculate about futurities of the art fair. Location: Foyer 1, Madinat Jumeirah

7:30–8:00pm Book Launch: Elias Zayat: Cities and Legends Over six decades of art practice are showcased in this first ever monograph of Elias Zayat, one of the most significant Syrian artists of the 20th century and a key founder of the country’s contemporary art movement. Edited by Salwa Mikdadi, Zayat’s unique style narrates the civilizations that have passed through Syria’s shores, and is ever more pertinent and poignant in today’s geopolitical context. Book launch followed by a cocktail reception. Access: Prior RSVP required Location: Art Dubai Modern Lounge, Mina A’Salam

8–9:30pm Performance: Iván Argote and Pauline Bastard, Born to Collect Born to Collect is a one-night event, a “collectors’ battle” presented as a live game show where a panel of collectors are invited to confront each other in a friendly, fun and challenging atmosphere. The public is the Grand Jury of this competition and will vote for the teams of collectors that will go on to the final, to win the Born to Collect trophy. Access: Limited spaces available, online RSVP essential Location: Global Art Forum tent, Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah

8–9pm Book Launch: 3rd Global Art Meetings Perve Galeria launches 3rd Global Art Meetings, led by Carlos Cabral Nunes, curator and researcher in the field of Global Art since the 1990s. The "Global Art Meetings” occurred in Portugal in 1999 and 2008, involving different artistic practices and a wide range of exhibitions, panel discussions and workshop, all relating to the concept of Global Art. The third Global Art Meeting is set to take place in 2017 and 2018 in several countries, with the official opening on November 2, 2017 in Lisbon. Location: Perve Galeria, Booth M9, Hall 3, Madinat Jumeirah

8–10:30pm The Room: Cooking Liberty Gala Dinner The Room: Cooking Liberty will be a surrealist visual and gastronomic experience presented by Beirut-based art collective Atfal Ahdath, (Vartan Avakian, Hatem Imam and Raed Yassin). Seating 80 guests for two nights only, the performance-led dinner, taking its cue from Salvador Dali’s cookbook Les Diners de Gala, will take you on a journey with a surprisingly alternative drinks reception, followed by a grandiose twelve-course banquet. Bespoke cocktails, music, moving image and a plethora of art forms are very much on the menu; guaranteeing guests a truly unique experience which flirts with familiarity and expectation. Access: Prior booking and ticket purchase required Location: The Room, Mina A'Salam, Madinat Jumeirah

8pm–2am Art Dubai After Party: Ghariba Art Dubai presents an exciting line-up of regional and international DJs at the Ghariba bar. Some of Dubai’s best-known DJs and international music guests include: Nightmares on Wax, Jazzanova, Debruit, Nickodemus, James Locksmith, Essarai (The 264 Cru), SATWA 3000, Shemroon & Siamak (Analog Room), Megadon Betamax and Kev Fresh. With thanks to James Locksmith, HALLA WALLA and FishFayce. Please arrive before 10pm to avoid disappointment. (21+ entry) Location: Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah