Collection Pan Arab Luxury Magazine
Related Articles
Dubai is once again set to be the epicenter of global contemporary art as Art Dubai returns for its highly anticipated 2025 edition. Scheduled to take place at Madinat Jumeirah from 18 to 20 April, with exclusive previews on 16 and 17 April, this year’s event promises an exceptional lineup of programming, commissions, and thought-provoking dialogues.
Since its inception in 2007, Art Dubai has played a crucial role in shaping and supporting the regional art ecosystem, fostering a dynamic environment where artists, institutions, collectors, and enthusiasts converge. The 2025 edition continues this legacy by introducing a series of groundbreaking initiatives, including high-profile commissions, innovative digital exhibitions, and a diverse gallery program featuring over 120 exhibitors.
A highlight of this year’s fair is the introduction of a new multi-year co-commissioning partnership between Art Dubai and Alserkal Avenue, commencing with a series of performances and site-specific interventions by Mexican artist Héctor Zamora. His works will engage audiences with performative group actions, sculptural pieces, and reflections on human culture and social dynamics.
Further enhancing the digital dimension of the fair, Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem will unveil a major new digital commission, Directions (Merging), presented by Julius Baer. This immersive installation places Dubai at the center of an evolving, borderless landscape, exploring themes of convergence and the city’s role as a global nexus.
Art Dubai Digital will also showcase an exciting array of site-specific digital installations, including MotherEarth, an AI-driven data sculpture by Ouchhh Studio, and Carbon Wake by Breakfast, a kinetic installation visualizing real-time global energy consumption. Meanwhile, Italian artist Jacopo Di Cera’s Retreat will address climate urgency, featuring a powerful depiction of the melting Brenva glacier through a large-scale installation composed of upcycled screens.
Piaget, the fair’s exclusive watch and jewelry partner, will debut a commissioned piece by Kuwaiti artist Alyamamah Rashed, featured in an exhibition titled Play of Shape. This work will draw inspiration from the Maison’s heritage of bold creativity, blending contemporary artistic expression with timeless craftsmanship.
Art Dubai 2025 will once again host the renowned Global Art Forum, the region’s largest arts conference, under the thought-provoking theme The New New Normal. Curated by Shumon Basar in collaboration with Y7, the forum will examine the evolving nature of change and its impact on cultural and economic landscapes. Esteemed speakers, including Rem Koolhaas and Lawrence Abu Hamdan, will delve into topics such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, gamified economies, and shifting cultural geopolitics.
Building on its success, the second edition of the Digital Summit, After the Technological Sublime, will explore how technological advancements intersect with pressing environmental, social, and political issues. Led by Gonzalo Herrero Delicado, this platform will foster critical discussions on ecological activism, bias in AI, and the evolving role of museums in the digital era.
For collectors and scholars, Art Dubai will also present an array of engaging discussions through Collector Talks and Modern Talks. These conversations will reflect on the evolving nature of art collecting, cultural affinities between regions, and the ways in which heritage informs contemporary artistic practices.
Art Dubai’s commitment to cultural education continues with the fifth edition of the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, the UAE’s largest initiative of its kind. This year, artists Peju Alatise and Alia Hussain Lootah will lead a collaborative program exploring local ecosystems, the cultural significance of water, and creative interpretations of the environment. Having reached over 30,000 children since its launch, this initiative underscores Art Dubai’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of creative minds.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and with the strategic support of Dubai Culture, Art Dubai continues to play a pivotal role in the region’s artistic development. Supported by key partners such as A.R.M. Holding, Julius Baer, Piaget, and HUNA, this year’s edition promises to be a transformative experience, celebrating the power of artistic expression in an ever-evolving world.
