Dubai Culture, the Emirate’s dedicated authority for culture, arts, and heritage, will launch the second edition of Dubai Next, a platform aimed to promote Dubai’s thriving cultural scene, at the renowned Institut du Monde Arabe (Arab World Institute), in Paris, from September 26th to 28th.
“Global collaboration, intercultural dialog, and fostering artistic talent are the central focus of Dubai Culture,” explained His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture (ed: organizer of Sikka Art Fair). “The second edition of Dubai Next underlines the vision of Dubai to draw on the strength of art as a commonality, which brings people from various cultures together. It also demonstrates our commitment to further define our city as a world-class cultural destination, in line with our strategic Vision 2020.”
Aiming to bring Emirati and UAE-based artists to the international circuit, the three-day program will be held at the Le Mobile Art pavilion, designed by Iraqi-British architect, Zaha Hadid. It will feature an art exhibition, film screenings, and panel discussions with the participating artists and curators under the theme, Dubai Next: Faces of Tomorrow.
The exhibition component will feature the works of Martin Becka, a Paris-based and Czech-born photographer, who explores Dubai’s architecture and historical landmarks. Joining Becka will be six Emirati artists, whose works were selected by art consultants and curators, Elie Domit and Jonas Tebib.
The line up will include graphic designer and illustrator, Alia Al Malik; abstract painter, Alia Hussain Lootah; artist and curator, Alia Zaal Lootah; Lateefa Bint Maktoum, a photographer and founder of Tashkeel (ed: an art studio for UAE-basd artists); Maitha Demithan, a visual artist who works across various mediums; and Mattar Bin Lahej, a painter, sculptor, and photographer.
Film screenings, dedicated to the French-Emirati cultural bond, such as filmmaker Abdullah Al Kaabi’s feature, The Philosopher, which stars French-Moroccan actor, Jean Reno will also take place. “France and the UAE have shared strong ties for the last four decades with active collaborations in the arts and cultural scene too. Dubai Next further enhances our strategic cooperation with France and will drive creative exchanges between the two nations,” added Al Maktoum.
