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"This year's applications were overwhelming and we're delighted with the 91 per cent return rate of galleries taking advantage of opportunities offered by Abu Dhabi's growing cultural landscape," said Rita Aoun-Abdo, executive director of Culture Sector at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, organiser of the fair.
Among these art galleries, Dubai's Ayyam Gallery has been part of ADA even before its establishment, in 2008, when an art fair was organised in partnership with French galleries.
"The fact that year after year Abu Dhabi Art attracts a high calibre of both collectors and participating galleries from around the world is a testament to the continuing health of the Middle Eastern art scene and interest in the region," Hisham Samawi, Ayyam's managing partner told Khaleej Times.
"Over the last year, Ayyam Gallery has started working with a number of leading conceptual artists from the Middle East and our booth at Abu Dhabi Art will reflect some of these exciting new relationships: we will be showing works by Abdulnasser Gharem, arguably the most significant Saudi artist of his generation, alongside Palestinian artists Khaled Jarrar and Steve Sabella. The booth will also include works by artists that the gallery has forged longstanding relationships with such as Safwan Dahoul and Tammam Azzam," he added.
ADA, which will take place on November 20-23 at Manarat Al Saadiyat and its neighbouring UAE Pavilion on Saadiyat Island, will have its 50 galleries split into five sections: Modern and Contemporary galleries, Beyond, Design, Bidaya (one emerging gallery) and Signature (exhibiting galleries presenting emerging artists).
"One of the most successful aspects of ADA is that 91 per cent of galleries are returning from last year. Also, we got fantastic artworks in Beyond exhibition, which this year will feature Galleria Continua with artist Pascale Martine Thayou's "Plastic", a plastic bags installation," said Michelle Farrell, exhibition relation manager at ADA.
Showcasing over-size artworks, Beyond has always been the most eye-catching section of the fair.
A boutique-style fair with just 50 exhibiting galleries, ADA sets itself apart from European and US international art fairs with a big programme of events alongside the fair itself. "We have the community involved with public programmes and shows such as Art, Talks and Sensations, as well as Art Zone, a dedicated art space for children," pointed out Farrell.
Although the 2013 programme is yet to be announced, ADA's exhibition relations coordinator, Alanood Al Hammadi, confirmed that this year Emirati art will be represented in the fair on various platforms, including a dedicated exhibition space.
"We are about to announce the winners of the Wings Project, a competition for young Emirati artists, the winning designs being used across the fair programme, on printed materials, advertising and merchandise," said Al Hammadi. This year, the Bidaya Gallery, showcasing one gallery under three years old - a condition for taking part in ADA is for any art gallery to be over three years old -will be a UAE one, Lawrie Shabibi from Dubai.
Altogether, there will be nine Emirati art galleries exhibiting at ADA 2013.
news@khaleejtimes.com
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