7–10 November 2012
UAE Pavilion and Manarat Al Saadiyat
Saadiyat Cultural District
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Modern, contemporary art and design
Abu Dhabi Art has announced its galleries for 2012; including new highlight exhibitors and an 80% return rate from last year.
Again held in the Saadiyat Cultural District, future home of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, it takes place from 7–10 November.
Now in its fourth edition, it is organised by the new Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority* and sponsored by BVLGARI.
“You can see from the calibre of galleries we have again this year, that it was a difficult decision to select a small number from the exceptional submissions, to fit with our boutique platform. We think the line-up reflects our goal—to show museum-quality work in an iconic setting,” says Rita Aoun-Abdo, Executive Director.
The 2012 edition includes 50 galleries, representing approximately 400 artists from 20 countries including 10 new galleries.
Signature, the section presenting emerging artists in a solo show is back again and Beyond returns to show large sculptures, site specific installations, public art works, and performance art.
The emerging gallery selected for Abu Dhabi Art’s Bidaya section (meaning ‘beginning’ in Arabic) is CDA Projects from Istanbul who will showcase a range of artists including Adel Abidin and young Turkish artists such as Burçak Bingöl and Zeynep Kayan.
Participating galleries include
AB Gallery, Agial Art Gallery, Art Sawa, ARTSPACE, Atassi Gallery, Athr Gallery, Ayyam Gallery, Bait Muzna Gallery, CDA Projects, David Zwirner, Edward Tyler Nahem Fine Art, L.L.C, Gagosian Gallery, Galerie Brigitte Schenk, Galerie El Marsa, Galerie Enrico Navarra, Galerie GP & N Vallois, Galerie Janine Rubeiz, Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont, Galerie Kashya Hildebrand, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Galleria Continua, Hanart TZ Gallery, Hauser & Wirth, Horrach Moya, Hunar Gallery, kamel mennour, Kerlin Gallery, Kukje Gallery / Tina Kim Gallery, Lam Art Gallery, Leila Heller Gallery, Lisson Gallery, Meem Gallery, October Gallery, Ota Fine Arts, Paul Stolper Gallery, Sfeir-Semler, Simon Lee Gallery, The Breeder, The Park Gallery, The Third Line, Tina Keng Gallery, Tony Shafrazi Gallery, Waterhouse & Dodd
Abu Dhabi Art 2012′s Associate Sponsors are Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Dolphin Energy.
For more information go to www.abudhabiartfair.ae.
For press accreditation for Abu Dhabi Art 2012 click here.
For information, contact Tarane Ali Khan: Tarane.AliKhan [at] theportsmouthgroup.com.
*Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority was created in February 2012 and took on the employees, assets, roles, and responsibilities of the former Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, and included the Cultural Department of Tourism Development & Investment Company. The Authority’s objective is to conserve and promote the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi and develop a world-class destination of distinction.
About Abu Dhabi Art
Abu Dhabi Art is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to further promote Abu Dhabi as a catalyst for art and culture—locally, regionally, and internationally. Galleries can exhibit under the following banners: Modern & Contemporary Galleries, Design, Signature (one emerging artist per exhibitor), and Beyond. In addition, the Abu Dhabi Art organisers give one emerging gallery the opportunity to take part in Bidaya, which translated from Arabic means ‘beginning.’
Abu Dhabi Art creates the opportunity for gallerists, collectors, artists, and art aficionados to meet, to acquire new artworks, share ideas, and exchange information.
Providing a wide spectrum of the visual arts including painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, and photography as well as video and digital art by more than 400 artists, Abu Dhabi Art showcases both renowned and emerging artists. Since its inception, the fair has also supported new artists gaining foothold into the market and has artwork appealing to different tastes and budgets.
Engaging with the community is an essential part of the Abu Dhabi Art platform and visitors can enrich their experience through the many public and education programmes that are an integral part of the platform’s offerings, including a dedicated Art Zone space for children.
Principal Sponsor of Abu Dhabi Art 2012 is BVLGARI. Associate Sponsors are Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Dolphin Energy.
