Art Dubai 2008

Global Art Forum returned to the air-conditioned tent on the beach and provided an intimate conversation and interview platform some great speakers. Speakers included Hans Ulrich Obrist, Lawrence Weiner, Catherine David, Venetia Porter, Ai Wei Wei, Tony Cragg, Monir Shahroudy Framanfarmaian, Daniel Buren, and a final day on talks about cultural cities and museums with words by MoMA's Glenn Lowery and finishing the day off with architect Rem Koolhaas.

Art Dubai begins

The second year of Dubai's contemporary art fair begins. Held again at the Madinat Jumeirah, with a new name and about twice the size its 2007 show, gallerists and art enthusiasts were excited at what this year would bring. In comparison, there was an increase of figurative work and a selection for all. Some galleries were doing great in terms of sales while others were disappointed, although enjoyed the experience of seeing Dubai. This year Art Dubai expanded with a section called the "Pakistani Pavillion" and had the Biduon video lounge and some other installations taking up space in by the car park. Visit http://www.artdubai.ae for more info.

In the photos: Ben Brown Fine Arts; Sung-Tae Park's horses; Torch Gallery with Fred Eversley walking in the background.

Art Paris in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi takes us down modern art lane at Emirates Palace. The art market is beginning to take momentum within the United Arab Emirates. Not as big as Art Dubai - previously known as the Gulf Art Fair – but buyers were trickling in constantly.

Istanbul Biennial

"Not Only Possible, But Also Necessary: Optimism in the Age of Global War" was the title of the 2007 Istanbul Biennial curated by Hou Hanru. A handful of leading contemporary artists take over various parts of city buildings including the warehouse beside Istanbul Modern. Across the river in the plazas of shops we find a mix of works, some interactive and some that just make you wonder. But even in Turkey you find the fascination of animal painted sculptures, in this instance it was the cow, while at the same time visitors are consumed by the complexity of architectural variations between the Ottoman, Byzantine and Modern designs.

In the photos we find the works of Lee Bul, and Ken Lum which seemed to be the most successful piece of people looking at the unaware. http://www.iksv.org/bienal10/english/giris.asp

Elleven at DIFC

The graduating class of Latifa College Campus, Zayed University, was a brilliant mix of photography, drawing, painting and design. It was set up in the atrium of the DIFC located in the Trade Centre area. The professionalism of the show seemed that we were walking into an international biennial or fair. The concept "elleven' was a great achievement and the show design a success.

Minus Reality in Dubai

This exhibition, curated by Lateefa Maktoum, is one of the first exhibition containing over 20 artists that live and work in the UAE. The artists representing a cross of nationalities packed the house of Art Attack Gallery on the evening in June. The exhibition focused on works that in some way portrayed an illusory realm. Visit http://www.lateefa-art.com for more information about the exhibition and artists.

Zayed University at Meem

Located across from Mall of the Emirates, and in the industrial area of Al Quoz is Meem Gallery. This spring the gallery opened its doors to the universities of the region to display artists and student work. "Rtoosh" exhibited the works of Colleen Quigley, Jennifer Theokary, Karen Oremus, Ayyub bin R. Hamilton, Todd Devriese, Janet Bellotto and Thomas Tucker, as well as student works.