Bringing together creative leaders to address ideas influencing contemporary art and its wider context.
Partner Talks is developed with long-term partners, institutions and creative leaders, examining how collaboration shapes artistic production and cultural exchange. Spanning art, architecture, design and publishing, the programme addresses the role of commercial and institutional partnerships within the wider art landscape.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Daniel Felstead is an academic and content producer whose practice focuses on the relationship between the body, technology, and culture. He is the course leader of MA Fashion Media & Communication at the London College of Fashion (UAL). Daniel has spoken and exhibited internationally including Architectural Association, Berlin Critics Week, Fundació Foto Colectania, Global Art Forum, MAPS, ICA, PAF, RCA, RISD, Shedhalle, Transmediale, University of Applied Arts Vienna, and V&A Museum.
Cem A. is an artist with a background in anthropology. He is known for running the art meme page @freeze_magazine and for his site-specific installations. His work explores themes such as virality and performativity, often through collaborative projects. He has held lectures at Royal College of Art London, HEAD Geneva, KASK Ghent and Universität der Künste Berlin.
Primavera De Filippi is an artist and legal scholar at Harvard University, exploring the legal challenges of AI and blockchain technology. Her artistic practice instantiates the key findings of her research, creating AI-enhanced blockchain-based lifeforms that evolve and reproduce themselves as people feed them with cryptocurrencies.
Ania Soliman is an Egyptian/Polish/American artist who grew up in Baghdad and is currently based between Paris and New York. Her practice encompasses large-scale drawings and paintings derived from AI-generated imagery and archival material, extending into text, performance, video, and installation. Soliman’s research-based work explores cultural translation, examining how representations mediate our relationships with nature and technology.
Ben Cullen Williams is a London based artist, whose practice moves between mediums and modes of presentation. In his work, Williams explores the spectacle of human made alterations of our natural landscapes and corporeal world through various lenses and technological devices. He has collaborated with Sir Wayne McGregor, Polar Explorer Robert Swan and Google Arts and Culture and MIT Media Lab amongst others.
Sofia Crespo is an Argentine artist based in Lisbon, Portugal, whose practice explores the convergence of artificial intelligence and biological systems. Working as part of the artistic duo Entangled Others with Norwegian artist Feileacan Kirkbride McCormick, she investigates how organic life and artificial mechanisms simulate and evolve each other. Her work examines humanity’s evolving relationship with technology across time, drawing connections between historical innovations like microscopes and cameras that transformed our understanding of reality, to contemporary neural networks that reshape how we process and interpret complex patterns.
Ferdi Alici has been director and new media artist of the Ouchhh Studio for more than 15 years. Ouchhh Studio stands as a leading force in the realm of creative new media, boasting over a decade of unparalleled innovation in the intersection of art, science, and technology. This global studio has carved a niche in pioneering data-driven art forms, including data paintings and sculptures. Their unique methodology merges technological exploration with a deep understanding of the enigmatic roots of art, science, and technology, crafting a vision that’s decidedly futuristic.
Alexandra Payne is the Director of Creative and Content at Outernet London, the UK’s Number one Cultural and Entertainment destination. Since launching in 2022 she has commissioned and worked with artists and institutions such as The Serpentine, The Tate, D’strict, Digital Artweek and launched world class immersive experiences such as The Butterfly Trail.
With her experience spanning the media landscape, she works closely with brands to help them utilise emerging technology to create immersive, engaging experiences that create impact.
Krista Kim, author of the *Techism Manifesto* (2014), is a visionary artist merging AI, immersive tech, and blockchain to explore digital consciousness. Renowned for *Mars House*, *Continuum* in Times Square, *Mirror of the Mind* at the Sphere Las Vegas, and *Heart Space* AI biometric installation, she pioneers the future of art, humanizing emerging technology through sublime, transformative experiences.
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