The 15th edition of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair took place between 22 – 26 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat. It is one of the largest yet, and hosted several exhibitions, commissions, talks, performances, workshops, tours, and culinary experiences. It gave space for more than 50 speakers and highlighted a variety of daily performances by international and local artists.
The 15th edition featured over 90 galleries from over 30 countries. With 37 new and 55 returning galleries, this year’s edition emphasized various geographies. Alongside, the curated exhibitions and commissions, as it positioned itself as a place of discovery for global art histories. The fair welcomes new curatorial perspectives, and plays an integral part in the art ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The participating galleries are from around the globe including, Georgia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, and Chile.
Notable Work
One of the most celebrated exhibitions by Frozen Forest curated by Nicolas Bourriaud alongside Michelin Star restaurant Nouri and Chef Ivan Brehm. It explores themes of capitalism, humanity, and sustainability. Bourriaud will present a live exhibition facilitated by a 7-hour and 20-minute video, which will provoke ideas about the extinction of nature due to industrialization and capitalism, through the inclusion of edible landscapes. Through these diners, the participants can witness the connection between humanity, modern society, and nature.
The Art Fair also included talks by commissioned artists and curators who presented their work. They were joined by guest speakers and panelists discussing global art histories and joining the wider conversation on Sustainability in the lead-up to COP28. The prestigious art fair also included a series of musical and visual performances that took place around Manarat Al Saadiyat and Berklee Abu Dhabi by acclaimed local and international artists. The fair included Drop-in-studios, where hands-on art activities took place for people of all ages to unleash their creativity and showcase their artistic potential to artists.
Abu Dhabi Art goes beyond the concept of a traditional art. It puts a strong emphasis on a diverse public engagement program. The annual Abu Dhabi Art Fair in November provides an important sales platform for participating galleries. It also offers these galleries an opportunity to showcase installations to a wide audience.