Abu Dhabi (Al Ittihad)
In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, to make Dubai the best city in the world, and to strengthen its position as a major center for culture and the creative economy, the Arts and Culture Authority in Dubai “Dubai Culture” began activating The “Art in Public Places” strategy, which aims to transform the emirate into a global art gallery that is open and accessible to all, with its exceptional and unique artistic experiences that enhance visual culture and the spirit of innovation, contribute to enriching the cultural and artistic scene in the region, and support Dubai’s creative economy. His Highness was Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, had earlier approved the strategy that leads “Dubai Culture” headed by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, through which an inspiring creative artistic movement that enhances the goals of the “vision Dubai Cultural », which seeks to consolidate Dubai’s position as a global center for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a meeting place for talents.
This step reflects the keenness of the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai to empower creators and talents, and to coordinate with various institutions and actors in the arts sector to transform Dubai’s streets, neighborhoods, squares and public squares into tourist and cultural destinations, with its artistic and installation works, paintings, murals and artistic figures that reflect the emirate’s creative identity. , and there is an interactive civilized space between artists and audiences of different nationalities and cultures, and contributes to the revitalization of cultural tourism in the emirate, which establishes a sustainable creative environment, which is in line with the objectives of the “Dubai Economic Agenda” D33 seeking to double the contribution of the creative sector to the GDP of the Emirate of Dubai within coming years.
Unique cultural environment
Hala Badri, Director General of the Culture and Arts Authority in Dubai, stressed the importance of translating the objectives of the “Art in Public Spaces” strategy into a tangible reality that contributes to the development of Dubai’s art scene and provides it with distinct and inspiring experiences. She said: The importance of this strategy lies in its ability to develop a unique cultural and artistic environment in Dubai, through which it reflects the features of its identity and the richness of its artistic scene, and contributes to the establishment of a sustainable creative environment.
She added: Expanding the circle of art in public places reflects Dubai’s ambitious vision to be an incubator for creative talents from all over the world, and to devote its contribution to promoting the spirit of cultural innovation, as well as raising the level of artistic and visual taste in the city.
Badri indicated that activating the “Art in Public Places” strategy represents unlimited support for talented people and private sector institutions. She said: Through this strategy, we seek to spread the culture of creativity and entrepreneurship, support Dubai’s creative economy, strengthen partnership with the private sector, build bridges of cooperation with many institutions and actors in the artistic arena, empower creators and artists and enhance their presence in the art arena, which makes Dubai a global icon. And a unique model for the cities of the future.
An open invitation
And by activating “art in public places”, “Dubai Culture” seeks to empower the creative sector community in the emirate, through its cooperation with “Art Dubai”, “Tashkeel” center, “Al Serkal”, “Art Jameel” and “Akkas Art Center”. Visual”, which will in turn be responsible for issuing open invitations to all artists to participate in presenting various models of large installation artworks that will be distributed throughout Dubai.
The authority announced that it had finished defining a map for the distribution of large installation artworks throughout the emirate, in addition to launching, in cooperation with Art Dubai, an open invitation addressed to artists, designers and architects, citizens and residents of the country, to submit their suggestions, ideas and artistic designs for the first huge installation artwork at a value of Two million dirhams, which will be constructed in the Al Hudaiba area opposite the Etihad Museum, and will be unveiled to the public in late 2023.
Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, Executive Director of the Arts and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, stressed the importance of the role of the “Art in Public Spaces” strategy in developing Dubai’s art scene, and providing it with new and innovative experiences that contribute to supporting cultural tourism. He said, “This initiative is in harmony with Dubai’s strategy for the creative economy, which aims to transform the emirate into a preferred destination for creators from all over the world, and works to increase the contribution of cultural and creative industries to the gross domestic product to reach 5% by 2026,” noting that the initiative reflects the commitment of « Dubai Culture», with the support of creative talents.
Ibn Kharbash expressed his happiness in cooperating with Art Dubai in launching the open invitation to select the first large-scale installation artwork. He said: “Art Dubai”, the leading international art fair in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, is a key partner in the “Art in Public Places” initiative, given its long experience in this field that extends for more than 15 years, during which we witnessed the presentation of many Technical works and successful experiences.
Receive orders
The first selection committee, which includes Carlo Rizzo, Special Adviser to Dubai Public Art, Maryam Muhammad Muzaffar, Director of Projects in the Museums Sector at Dubai Culture, and Benedetta Gion, Executive Director of Art Dubai, will handle the process of receiving applications for participation, knowing that The last date for receiving preliminary applications will be February 13, 2023, after which the committee will begin sorting work in preparation for selecting the winning work. Those shortlisted will receive a $5,000 grant, to cover the costs of preparing the bespoke rendering and maquette of the large-scale installation artwork.
Artists can view the details of the open invitation by visiting the “Dubai Culture” website, as well as the “Art Dubai” website, in addition to the official accounts of the Authority and “Art Dubai” on social media platforms.
The objectives of the “Art in Public Spaces” strategy are integrated with the objectives of the “Dubai Urban Plan 2040”, which aims to improve the quality of life, enhance the emirate’s global competitiveness over the next 20 years, and confirm its position as the best city in the world to live, work and visit.