DIFCHosts the Celebrated Art Nights @ Gate Village on Wednesday 27th February
Dubai, 26February 2013,DIFC Art Nights returns once again with an eclectic collection combining art, design, music and exquisite cuisine, guaranteed to thrill the UAE’s art enthusiasts. The successful series, which takes place at the heart of Dubai’s financial district, DIFC Gate Village, an urban area encompassing a collection of galleries, boutiques, restaurants and high end cafes, will take place on Wednesday 27th February, 2013.
Since its inception in 2010, At Nights @ Gate Village has become an integral part of DIFC’s ecosystem bringing the community together in one common interest: Art. The latest installment includes several new exhibitions and viewings organised by select galleries in the Gate Village.Visitors can choose to visit the Farjam Collection to view their artistic collaboration with the United Nation’s World Food Pragramme (WFP), or watch and participate in live art from artists Sassan Saidi, Ubik, Noush Like Sploosh and Fathima Mohiuddin amongst other things. Art Night @ Gate Village offers residents a unique experience in a vibrant setting and continues to attract everyone from art collectors and bankers to young creativities and families.
Nabil Mohammed Ramadhan, Acting CEO, DIFC Properties, said: “Art is fast becoming an essential component of the Dubai scene and we recognize the significant role the DIFC plays in promoting UAE’s art culture and in supporting local and regional talent. We also acknowledge the importance art plays to the vibrancy of DIFC as an international financial hub along with the many restaurants, retail outlets and cafes on offer.”
The event features exclusive music collaborations by DJ Lobito & the Deep Crates Cartel curating the music and providing ambient tunes. The night will also mark the official launch of Raqs Records, which have recently been receiving airplay and support from Gilles Peterson's famous UK radio show.
Guests who wish to continue on with the night are invited to a complimentary canapés and drinks event hosted by The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC where they can enjoy the tuneful sounds ofthe resident DJ, and sample the new cocktail and tapas menus, now available on the terrace.
Art Nights @ Gate Village is free and open to the public.
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Full Art Nights Program - February 27, 2013
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
Art Sawa
Nostalgia byMireille Merhej
4 February until 4 March 2013
Artspace
ARTSPACE will be showcasing a collection of newworks by Zakaria Ramhani and Samira Alikhanzadeh.
Zakaria Ramhani’s work explores the relations between the art of portrait and the Arabic and Latin calligraphy. Words and phrases of various size and colors are therefore superimposed and intertwined to create faces, bodies and figures. His large size portraits question the relationship between identity and otherness, individuality, and deal with the role of the artist in the society.
Samira Alikhanzadeh’s work focuses on creating an overlay of window-like openings of the interiors within the compositions, combining figures of women and children from the 30’s-50’s. The figures primarily focus on the period following the banishment of the veil in Iran. By applying mirrors to the surface, the artist directs a connection between the subjects in the past and the viewers in the present.
Ayyam Gallery
The Passage of Time by Farzad Kohan
Ayyam Gallery DIFC, Dubai is pleased to present, ‘The Passage of Time', Farzad Kohan’s first solo exhibition with Ayyam Gallery,from 13 January – 28 February 2013.
The sculptures, installations and photographs of Iranian artist Farzad Kohan seek to communicate across the divides of culture, language, religion and gender with messages of harmony and unity. As a manifestation of his desire to articulate his inner workings through the ordinary things that surround us, Kohan often making use of found objects and materials as diverse as wood, coffee, milk, motor oil and sand.
Cuadro Fine Art Gallery
Concrete Blur by Vikram Divecha
As a part of Art Nights @ Gate Village, Cuadro Gallery will be showcasing "Concrete Blur," a site specific installation by artist, Vikram Divecha highlighting the correlation between the creation and disappearance of urban identity. As well, there will be works by artist, Cristiana de Marchi exploring the controversial territory of language in physical and nominal dimensions. In addition, the current show entitled "Here Today – A Record of Urban Impermanence," featuring works by Sami Al Turki, Vikram Divecha, Sinisa Vlajkovic and Mohamed Somji, is also on exhibition.
Opera Gallery
Istanbul Portfolio
The Istanbul Portfolio: Shining a spotlight on Istanbul’s contemporary art scene, Opera Gallery Dubai presents an eclectic mix of art forms by some of the city’s finest artists. Featuring Masters of mixed media productions combiningdigital photography on urban infrastructures, rich abstract colors and the Turkish Street-Art that comes out for first time off the wall. The Istanbul Portfolio showcases the works of Ali Alisir, Hayal Incedogan, Olcay Kus, Sencer Vardarman and Kemal Seyhan.
The Empty Quarter Gallery
Moments before the Flood by Carl de Keyzer
Carl de Keyzer’s photo series collected from twenty countries, created in a David Lynch-like atmosphere, shows the tension of an impending catastrophe. Throughout the exhibition a singular theme is echoed: is the world aware - and prepared for - the rise of the water level due to climate change? De Keyzer’s exhibition at The Empty Quarter shows the impending disaster of rising seawater, and as a result the mere beauty of his works is no longer just aesthetically pleasing, but serve as a warning. Through de Keyzer’s photography, the viewer is transferred into a world of uncertainty, unable to see the actual threat.
Moments before the Flood does not document catastrophe, but the exact opposite, the absence of catastrophe. The subdued tension in the images come alive in a complex world of danger, desolation, and perseverance.
The Farjam Collection
World Food Programmeme Collaboration
The Farjam Collection @ the DIFC is proud to present an artistic collaboration with the United Nation's World Food Programmeme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting world hunger. The exhibition will showcase artworks by 23 different artists. The display features a diverse range of extraordinary paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, and photography by emerging and established Iranian artists, including Farideh Lashayi and Parviz Kalantari. The artworks will be on view for two months followed by an auction. All the proceeds will be donated to the WFP. The exhibition is in collaboration with WFP Iran & WFP UAE, and will run until March 7, 2013.
RIRA Gallery
XVA Gallery
Paper
XVA Gallery hosts a group exhibition entitled 'Paper' bringing together six artists from around the World to celebrate this underrated medium. Works are available by: Anish Kapoor, Walid Siti, Imran Channa, Rafael Mahdavi, Mohsen Ahmadvand & Debjani Bhardwaj. Exhibition February 4th - March 13th 2013.
Also at XVA Gallery view our Affordable Art Night selections in the lounge area. This section focuses on first time buyers and all works will be listed at AED4,000 or less! Please ask a member of gallery staff for more details.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Aliel
Fine Jewellery is an art - it combines passion, skill and original thought. The essence of Aliel is creative originality that allows us to breathe life into stones! Aliel offers amongst the finest collections of precious stones ranging from white diamonds to the rarest of fancy colored diamonds; from fiery Burmese rubies to Emeralds of the old mines. Aliel will showcase pieces from our Pietra, Borosso, Luce, Aurora collections
Andrew Martin
Experience the luxury of first class flying in your home! View an edit of Andrew Martin’s current collection, featuring remarkable pieces of furniture made from old airplane parts. From custom built aircraft desks to wall panels and lighting; get a spin on industrial style design at Andrew Martin’s showroom in DIFC, Gate Village 07.
The Ritz-Carlton DIFC
Art After Dark @ No.5 Bar & Terrace
Once Art Nights draws to a close, continue the evening at the official after-party, at Art After Dark @ No.5 Bar & Terrace. Enjoy the tuneful sounds ofthe DJ, and sample the new cocktail and tapas menus, now available on the terrace.
The Rug Company
Renowned as the ultimate destination for decadent handmade rugs, The Rug Company, is also the place to source the most sought after luxury home accessories. Come and visit The Rug Company showroom to view the range ofcontemporary tapestry and needlepoint wall hangings that will bring color, pattern and texture to your interior. Located in DIFC, Gate Village 02.
The Magazine Shop
The Magazine Shop is a first for Dubai – a café specialising not only in high quality coffee, but distinctive independent magazines published internationally. We source only the most thought-provoking, inspiring, unique, and beautifully designed magazines from around the world, curating a selection of magazines on the subjects of art, design, travel, fashion, architecture, music, film, and special interests. A Cultural Engineering project, we are committed to promoting creative independent publishing in the Middle East. Located in Gate Village 8.
MUSIC
Art Nights will feature exclusive music collaboration by Break DJ Lobito & the Deep Crates Cartel. The night will also be the official launch of Raqs Records after recently receiving airplay and support from Gilles Peterson's famous UK radio show and feature performances by Kashmir, Toofless, Madeleine Butcher, The Healer Twins as well as Break DJ Lobito who is curating the music. Break DJ Lobito is rated as one of the top five DJs in his style worldwide, Dubai-based Lobito is a turntablist and vinyl collector with an eclectic style rooted in deep funk, soul, latin beats, brazilian, afrobeat, classic hip hop, downtempo, reggae, block party breaks and all things drum related.
LIVE ART
Watch live art from artists Sassan Saidi, Ubik, Noush Like Sploush and Fathima Mohiuddin evolve over the course of the evening. Watch out – you may be asked to be involved!
Guests are invited to complimentary canapés and drinks provided by The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC and experience the exclusive design furniture provided by Catertainment.