Art Basel’s Bold Move into Abu Dhabi: Culture or Commerce?
Well, well, well! It appears Art Basel is looking to cozy up with Abu Dhabi Art. Yes, folks, the Swiss giants behind the prestigious art fair, MCH, are about to pocket a crisp 20 million euros from the Emirate. Now, whether they’ll be spending that on abstract art or a lifetime supply of Swiss chocolate is yet to be unveiled, but you can bet it’s a hot topic of chatter at the ADA.
The Venue: Where Art Meets Luxury
The place? Manarat Al Saadiyat Cultural Center! Picture this: a cultural epicenter just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Louvre Abu Dhabi—where apparently, it’s not just the Mona Lisa giving side-eye, but also the influential gallery owners. The grapevine suggests that whispers of Art Basel’s anticipated entry have been circulating faster than a bad rumor at a family wedding.
The Gossip at the Fair
While gallery owners are facing off with speculation as intense as a reality show reunion episode, Dyala Nusseibeh, the artistic director, insists, “It’s all speculation!” Wouldn’t it be more fun if she added, “Next time on ADA: Will it be love or mere curiosity?”
From Luxury Hotels to Local Gems
Ahh, the nostalgia! Back in the good ol’ days of 2007, when ADA started in the luxury confines of the Emirates Palace, and the ruling family was the primary buyer of mega-expensive art. Now, however, the fair has shifted its sights to the burgeoning art-loving middle class. Who knew art could go from ‘I can’t believe it’s not butter’ pricing to ‘Look mum, just checking the prices’?!
A Cultural Transformation
Nusseibeh values the regional focus—a laudable move. The fair now aims to be an integral part of the “post-oil economy,” which sounds a lot more appealing than “the big desert money grab.” With no commercial owner at the helm, and more emphasis on exhibitions, it looks like they’ve effectively turned the art fair into a cultural bonanza.
What’s in Store for the Future?
Now, if you’re thinking Abu Dhabi is about to dish out millions for what appears to be a Western art fest, hold your horses! Today, the Louvre Abu Dhabi welcomed around 1.2 million visitors. That’s not bad for an unlikely contender in the global art scene, right? The local aesthetics are alive and kicking, and they’re preparing to shake hands with more Asian galleries while the Westerners sip their overpriced lattes back home.
The Rumor Mill: Art Basel in Action?
Is the local art scene ready for Art Basel to step into the ring, or will this just be another episode of “As the Art World Turns”? With hints dropping from recent events and those cheeky public panels discussing “Cultural crossroads,” the game is definitely afoot.
What About Regional Identity?
A question plaguing artists and gallery curators alike is whether regional identities will thrive in a high-brow environment curbed by commercial ambitions. What if the fair loses some of that artsy, quirky charm that attracts local talent? They’re not just showing pretty pictures here; they’re promoting narratives. Take Mandy El-Sayegh’s work, for instance. Her pieces resonate deep emotional tension—could Art Basel handle such authenticity, or would they discard it for something that screams the latest trend?
Final Thoughts
In a world where galleries compete for the latest art trends and the auction house records are shattered with each new sale, the entry of a giant like Art Basel into Abu Dhabi might just be what the art scene needs—or it may very well turn into a cultural battleground. Rumor has it that MCH and DCT might sign on the dotted line soon. Will it be a unifying collaboration or a dramatic showdown? Stay tuned; this saga is far from over!
Art Basel is poised to expand into the Abu Dhabi Art fair in a significant strategic move. In exchange for this expansion, the Swiss parent company MCH will reportedly receive a substantial financial contribution of 20 million euros from Abu Dhabi.
The venue for the Abu Dhabi Art art fair: the Manarat Al Saadiyat cultural center.
Imago
Speculation about Art Basel’s interest in entering the Abu Dhabi Art (ADA) fair has ignited excitement among gallery owners, particularly at Art Basel Paris in October. Word swiftly circulated that Art Basel was considering a foray into the Arab Emirates, a subject that subsequently made headlines in “Art News.” While the fair will not be outright purchased, MCH’s entry into ADA will be marked with this significant financial partnership.
Throughout the opening of the 16th edition of the ADA, the potential collaboration was a hot topic among the hundred or so exhibited galleries. Though the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) typically refrains from commenting on such rumors, Dyala Nusseibeh, the artistic director of the fair, responded cautiously, asserting, “It’s all speculation!”
Nusseibeh has been at the helm of the Messe am Gulf since 2016. The fair’s inception dates back to 2007, with initial editions held in the opulent Emirates Palace hotel, attracting around forty galleries, including notable names such as White Cube, Lisson, and Gagosian. These galleries introduced high-value works by esteemed artists like Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol, predominantly acquired by the ruling family. Collectors in the region were scant, with many speculating whether the still-in-progress Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi were quietly acquiring notable pieces.
Still from the film “Baladi Aldaia” (2022) by Ishtar Yasin Gutierrez, which was partly shot in Iraq and is now being shown in the “Gateway” sector.
PD
Art from the region
Over the years, the nature of the fair has evolved significantly. It now takes place at the cultural epicenter of the Manarat Al Saadiyat Cultural Center, conveniently located just a few minutes’ walk from the prestigious Louvre Abu Dhabi. Unlike in earlier editions, major international galleries have largely withdrawn, as the focus has shifted towards cultivating a thriving, art-loving middle class within the region, with only a handful of works now reaching prices above one million euros.
This evolution has paved the way for a growing focus on regional art, a shift that Nusseibeh greatly values. During an interview, she articulated that the fair serves a different purpose compared to similar events in Europe, emphasizing its role in “knowledge production” and its contributions to the broader creative industry. This emphasis aligns with the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s “post-oil economy.”
In stark contrast to Art Basel, which operates like a commercial fair, the DCT stands as a state owner overseeing the event. This unique position allows the fair to incorporate diverse exhibitions and research-driven projects into its framework. This year, they are hosting special exhibits such as “Crafts as Language” and “Modern Art and Decolonization. Paris 1908–1988,” showcasing approximately 50 works from the Farjam Collection featuring Arab artists who have established their presence in Paris.
The fair is designed to reinforce cultural identity, closely aligned with the political strategies of Abu Dhabi, particularly as the emirate increasingly aligns itself toward the East. Participation from Asian galleries is on the rise, while Western representation diminishes. The critical question remains: why should Abu Dhabi commit millions to Art Basel for their engagement?
This potential partnership echoes historical moves nearly two decades ago when prominent Western brands were acquired for their namesake value and to serve as sponsors for the planned museums, like the Louvre and Guggenheim. However, the context has since transformed dramatically. The Louvre Abu Dhabi drew around 1.2 million visitors in 2023, signaling its position as a leading cultural destination, with the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi set to make their debuts in the following year. The emirate has established itself as the region’s cultural powerhouse—does it still need a Western endorsement?
Mandy El-Sayegh: «Net-Grid (Red Emma)», 2024, painting.
Damian Griffiths / Courtesy the artist and Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai
Opportunity for the art scene
Are these speculations merely unfounded rumors? Art Basel appears to be quietly establishing a foothold in the region. Last year, there was already buzz regarding meetings between Art Basel and key figures in Qatar. Just a few weeks ago, Art Basel hosted a public panel discussion themed “Cultural crossroads: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi,” where their website hailed the Emirates as a potential “global art power house.”
It is evident that MCH stands to gain financially from this venture. However, concerns linger about how ADA might benefit from Art Basel’s involvement. Would the unique regional focus that adds character to this fair risk dilution? The “Gateway” section exemplifies this regional commitment, showcasing five artists from Argentina, Chile, and Puerto Rico, who spotlight deep-rooted connections between Arab and Latin American cultures.
The largest Palestinian diaspora outside Arab nations resides in Chile, which curator Odessa Warren highlights. The artist Mandy El-Sayegh is currently featuring a significant installation that underscores the theme of transnational solidarity at a solo stand provided by Dubai’s gallery Lawrie Shabibi. Her work integrates brutal tank tracks across grid-patterned collages, with the map of Palestine positioned prominently beneath.
Such potent pro-Palestinian imagery is openly displayed at the fair—would this be feasible at an Art Basel Abu Dhabi? Many local galleries and curators express agreement that this could lead to positive change. When pressed, Nusseibeh entertained the idea of a similar collaboration to the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project, noting, “Every Guggenheim is regionally different.” She highlighted that in Abu Dhabi, the DCT partners equally with the Guggenheim Foundation.
If the same principles applied to a collaborative fair, many artists currently exhibiting at the inaugural Public Art Biennale in Abu Dhabi, which coincides with this discussion, believe it could offer a tremendous opportunity for the regional art landscape. By the close of the evening, new rumors began to circulate: a contract signing between MCH and DCT is reportedly on the horizon.
How can the balance between local heritage and international influences shape the future of art fairs in the region?
Ponenttype=”p” is-new-line-child=”true” class=”articlecomponent text nzzinteraction”>The collaborations and connections presented within the “Gateway” section not only reflect the fair’s dedication to regional identity but also highlight the opportunities for cross-cultural dialog. Such initiatives are crucial as the art world increasingly recognizes the importance of global interconnectedness. As Abu Dhabi seeks to solidify its position as a cultural hub, the interplay between local heritage and international influences becomes an essential factor to navigate carefully.
while the potential collaboration between Art Basel and Abu Dhabi Art presents exciting prospects, it also raises critical questions about identity, representation, and the future of the regional art scene. The outcome of this partnership could either enhance the cultural landscape or pose a risk of overshadowing the unique qualities that have defined the fair thus far. As the art community watches closely, the unfolding narrative promises to be a pivotal moment for both parties invested in shaping the future of art in the region.