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PARTNER TALKS 2025


Partner Talks is a new series to engage with different perspectives, developed in collaboration with Art Dubai local and international partners.

This year’s talks presented leading figures shaping the cultural and business world across the UAE and internationally, reflecting on key cultural moments, including rising creative capitals, the history of art commissioning, and the evolution of contemporary art in the Arab world.



PROGRAMME SCHEDULE



AUDITORIUM, ART DUBAI


2:30-3:15pm

BOOK LAUNCH OF +971: 50 EMIRATI CREATIVES SHAPING THE UAE
Vice president, Sharjah Art Foundation Nawar Al Qassimi, Visual Artist Asma Belhamar,  and Designer Khalid Shafar. Moderated by Cultural Strategist and Editor, Myrna Ayad

This talk marks the launch of +971: 50 Emirati Creatives Shaping the UAE, edited by Myrna Ayad and published by Rizzoli. The first book of its kind to survey the country’s creative landscape, it offers an unprecedented look at the talents shaping the nation’s cultural identity and features 50 visionary Emirati creatives working across visual art, design, architecture, culinary arts, writing and literature, film, and performing arts and music. With a foreword by HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, +971 includes insightful essays by leading specialists working across various creative sectors in the UAE.


3:30-4:15pm

DRIVEN BY ART: ARE COMMISSIONS AND CO-CREATIONS THE FUTURE?
Art Historian, Curator and Director, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Stephanie Rosenthal; Curator and National Geographic Explorer at Large, Azu Nwagbogu; and Hans Ulrich-Orbist. Moderated by Head of Culture, BMW Group, Dr. Thomas Girst.

Is it a good thing that the lines between brands, artists, and institutions continue to blur? Are artists selling out or is this the new way forward? This conversation will explore the rise of co-creation as cultural phenomenon. Taking the iconic BMW Art Car Initiative as a point of departure, the panelists will reflect on decades of artistic collaborations they themselves initiated through their curatorial practice and institutions. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Car Collection—an unprecedented mix of speed, creativity, and art that began in 1975 when French racing driver Hervé Poulain invited artist Alexander Calder to paint a BMW 3.0 CSL. Since then, the project has brought together visionary artists such as Andy Warhol, Esther Mahlangu, Jeff Koons, and Julie Mehretu, each transforming a BMW vehicle into a ´rolling sculpture´. To celebrate this milestone, BMW has launched a global Art Car World Tour, showcasing the collection across major cultural institutions and fostering a global dialogue at the intersection of art, technology, and society.


5:00-5:45pm

THE RISE OF ARAB ART: A CONVERSATION
Historian, Art Historian and Gallery Owner Dr. Andrée Sfeir-Semler, Director Art Jameel Antonia Carver, and Director of Culture Programming Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Reem Fadda

Sfeir-Semler Gallery is launching, in celebration of its 40 years in Germany and 20 years in Lebanon, a book on the development of the contemporary art scenes in the Arab world, which have experienced exponential growth and transformation since the 1990s. The book contains contributions by more than 40 authors. Join us for a conversation between Antonia Carver, Director of Art Jameel in Dubai and Jeddah; Reem Fadda, Director of the Cultural Foundation and Director of Culture Programming at the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi; and Andrée Sfeir-Semler, Founder and Owner of Sfeir-Semler Gallery in Beirut and Hamburg, as they reflect on the fundamental shifts in the scene, discussing the components contributing to the establishment of the scene: artists, foundations and biennials, publications, art fairs, commercial art galleries, museums and institutions… looking back at their respective contributions and journeys.


6:00-6:45pm

CULTURAL GATEWAYS: MUMBAI & DUBAI AS CREATIVE CAPITALS
Founder & Chairperson, Avid Learning Mrs. Madhu Ruia; Contemporary Multi Media Artist, Owais Husain; Director, Alserkal Arts Foundation, Nada Raza; and Creative Director, Nilaya Anthology, Pavithra Rajaram. Moderated by SVP, Essar Group, CEO, Avid Learning and Curator, Royal Opera House, Mumbai Asad Lalljee

Mumbai and Dubai share a dynamic relationship—one shaped by deep historical ties, diasporic movements, and a shared vision of innovation. This panel will bring together influential voices from India and the UAE, including artists, curators, and cultural leaders, to examine how the exchange between these cities fuels creative ecosystems, economic opportunities, and artistic innovation. As the two cities stand at the intersection of tradition and modernity, serving as thriving hubs for contemporary art and technology-driven creativity, the discussion will shed light on how Mumbai and Dubai continue to shape the global narrative of South Asian and Middle Eastern art.


HUNA LOUNGE, ART DUBAI


6:00-6:45pm

BUILDING A COLLECTION WITH PURPOSE: ART AS AN INVESTMENT, LEGACY, AND STATEMENT
Varun Kaji, Art Advisor and Collector; and Akshay Chudasama, Collector. Moderated by Edward Behrens

Art collectors often approach acquisitions with a sense of purpose, whether as personal legacy or cultural statements. This panel explores how collectors balance these factors, make thoughtful decisions, and ensure their collections reflect their values and aspirations.


7:30-8:15pm

HUNA TALKS: INTERSECTION BETWEEN ART, DESIGN, AND FASHION OVER TIME
Creative Director, Karoline Lang, Karine Tawil; Architect-Musician, Carl Gerges. Moderated by Cultural Strategist and Journalist Nour Hassan, founder of The Curation Podcast 

Join Creative Director Karine Tawil of Karoline Lang and architect-musician Carl Gerges in a exploring the evolving intersections of art, design, and fashion, reflecting on how creativity, culture, and craftsmanship continue to influence how we shape both style and space. From the intricacies of couture to the harmony of architecture and sound, the discussion will delve into personal journeys, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the future of creative expression.



HUNA LOUNGE, ART DUBAI


5:00-5:45pm

WOMEN COLLECTORS: FROM PLUS-ONES TO POWER PLAYERS IN THE ART WORLD
Margo Castro, Collector and STELLA Founding Member; Chimere Cissé, Collector and STELLA Alliance Co-Founder; and Pat Wang Maugüé Collector, STELLA Alliance Founding Member. Moderated by Samta Nadeem, Curatorial Director, STIR

Women are transforming the art market, not just as buyers but as key players shaping its evolution. Join STELLA Alliance, an international art collective based between Dubai and Milan, to unpack the shifting patronage landscape of today. Using storytelling, humour and sharp insights, explore the rising presence of women collectors and their motivations behind acquisitions. Discover what this shifting financial power means for the future of collecting, and the wider art market, through a fast-paced and engaging conversation. This panel is in collaboration with STELLA Alliance.


6:00-6:45pm

THE INTERNET AS A NEW-AGE MUSEUM
Talal Najjar, Christopher Benton, and Daniah Alsaleh. Moderated by Khaoula Ghanem, Editor-in-Chief, Mille World.

In a world increasingly shaped by digital experiences, the internet is not just a communication tool but a vast, decentralised museum where digital art, memes, TikTok trends, and NFTs become artifacts of our time. The internet is open, constantly evolving, and accessible to all. This panel examines how digital spaces and mediums are transforming our relationship with culture, challenging traditional notions of curation and preservation, as well as changing access to art and history. This talk is in partnership with Mille World.



6:00-6:45pm

HUNA TALKS: INTERSECTIONS BETWEEN ART, EDUCATION, AND CONTEMPORARY PEDAGOGIES
Afra Al Dhaheri
, Artist; Alia Hussain Lootah, Artist; and Janet Bellotto, Artist. Moderated by Cultural Strategist and Journalist Nour Hassan, founder of The Curation Podcast

The discussion will explore interdisciplinary learning, creativity as a skill, and the role institutions play in building inclusive, forward-thinking environments. The panel will feature Emirati artists Alia Lootah and Afra Al Dhaheri alongside artist and educator Janet Bellotto. The conversation will be moderated by Nour Hassan, co-founder of the Curation podcast and an award-winning arts and culture journalist.


7:00-7:45pm

HUNA TALKS: THE ART OF SOUND
Faraj Abyad, Singer. Moderated by Cultural Strategist and Journalist Nour Hassan, founder of The Curation Podcast

What makes a city truly liveable ? This panel explores the evolving concept of public realms and their role in shaping vibrant, inclusive communities. Through the lens of art and culture, the talk will explore how shared spaces can foster connection, creativity, and well-being—today and for generations to come. Join leading voices in urban development, art, and cultural strategy as we reimagine the future of livability in an ever-changing world.



AUDITORIUM, ART DUBAI


12:30-1:15pm

SHAPING PUBLIC REALMS: ART, CULTURE, AND LIVEABLE FUTURES
Talib Choudhry, Head of Editorial Content, Architectural Digest Middle East and Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture, Expo City Dubai. Moderated by Nasri Atallah, Editor, The National’s Luxury Magazine.

What makes a city truly liveable ? This panel explores the evolving concept of public realms and their role in shaping vibrant, inclusive communities. Through the lens of art and culture, the talk will explore how shared spaces can foster connection, creativity, and well-being—today and for generations to come. Join leading voices in urban development, art, and cultural strategy as we reimagine the future of livability in an ever-changing world.


1:30-2:15pm

13 VANAK: NON-GALLERY, NON-COMMERCIAL, UNDER THE RADAR, AND EXPERIMENTAL
Fereydoun Ave
and Sohrab Mahdavi. Moderated by Hormoz Hematian.

Fereydoun Ave, one of Iran’s most famous cultural figures – a collector, curator, painter and sculptor, founded 13 Vanak St. in the early 1990s, a space he describes as a non-gallery, that is non-commercial, under the radar and experimental. The space, originally a small shop, evolved into an extension of a private artist studio before transforming into a public alternative space. Join Ave in this conversation to explore the role 13 Vanak St. played in both his practice and the wider cultural scene in Tehran.


3:30-4:15pm

REIMAGINGING PUBLIC SPACE: ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND THE POLITICS OF URBAN IDENTITY
Tarek Abou El Fatouh, Independent Curator; Héctor Zamora, Artist; Gordon Gill, Founding Partner, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture; Hamra Abbas, Artist; and Bakul Patki, Independent Curator. Moderated by William Mullally, Arts and Culture Editor, The National

This discussion explores how public art and architecture shape urban identity, transforming spaces and fostering community engagement. It will examine art’s power to challenge traditional notions of public space, belonging, and inclusivity, while considering cultural narratives in global cities. The talk will also address the evolving role of public art in promoting accessibility, social cohesion, and urban regeneration, and look at how technology and smart cities will influence the future of public space.