TARANE ALI KHAN OF THE THIRD LINE GALLERY, DUBAI, DISCUSES WHAT TO EXPECT AT ART DUBAI 2010

Inside the Bottle Series, 2008, 21 glass bottles and
photo collage, Variable Sizes

“The Third Line is based in Dubai (since 2005) and now represents 21 artists from around the Middle East region. The concept of the gallery is to establish a top-level platform where contemporary artistic talent and culture from the Middle East can be showcased, debated, discussed and furthered. As such, since its inception The Third Line has hosted non-profit, alternative programs to increase interest and debate in the region – this includes educational lectures, Kutub (a monthly, bi-lingual Arab literature appreciation circle), as well as Documentary and Feature Film screenings at the gallery. The Third Line also hosts - in collaboration with several creative partners - an international multimedia forum for artists and designers called Pecha Kucha Night Dubai and Pecha Kucha Night Doha.

For this year there will be selection of 15 artists exhibiting during Art Dubai. Ala Ebtekar, Amir H. Fallah, Farhad Moshiri, Fouad Elkoury, Golnaz Fathi, Havy Kahraman, Huda Lutfi, Laleh Khorramian, Lamya Gargash, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Pouran Jinchi, Rana Begum, Susan Hefuna, Tarek Al-Ghoussein  and Youssef Nabil.

These artists have exhibited in Dubai and most throughout the region before and this selection provides a diversity of styles and mediums and where they are in their careers individually. This selection has also been made on previous art fair participation and each artist’s collector base taken into strong consideration.

Over the last 5 years, interest and growth in the Middle Eastern art scene has brought focus to the region and the artists. We see interest growing and maturing, which can be seen with the international notice local artists are receiving. This in turn provides a stronghold for local artists and the art communities.

The strength of contemporary Middle Eastern art is at large, reason for this long overdue international attention.  This is also due in part to the current political geography; as world politics is increasingly centered on the region, so too does the art world turn its attention to the region resulting in great enthusiasm and interest towards contemporary Iranian and Middle Eastern art given the proximity and basis of art in terms of themes, styles and subject matters.

Considering there was not much of an established art market in the region ten years ago, the last 2-3 years have seen tremendous growth due to multiple factors: good artwork, more liberal markets, access to capital, etc.  However, this also brought with it speculation and allowed non-professionals the ability to be in the market easily.  What will remain after this crisis will be only those groups and individuals that really believe in their art, the artists and the region – and a larger critical discourse around the subject. This can be a positive step for the future of the Middle Eastern art scene.

One can only hope for the best. Galleries seem to be continuing they’re programming with extra attention given to clients and their collector base. There are a lot more regional collectors that visit Art Dubai and it grows each time. Art Dubai is not only an art fair but a great platform for art and culture to reach beyond the region in terms of the art shown, the artists who visit and exhibit and projects/talks program.”


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