It’s not new that Abu Dhabi is working on becoming the cultural capital of the Middle East.  Another sign of that is the return of ArtParis-Abu Dhabi for the second year, bigger and organizers say better than last time with 57 galleries from around the world exhibiting more than 3300 works of art.

Among the 700 artists included are some of the greatest of the late 19th and early 20th century like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Paul Cezanne.

Contemporary artists Shirin Neshat, Damien Hirst, Jean-Michel Basquiat and many others are also represented in the exhibition to be held again at the super luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel from November 17 to November 21.

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988)


Carbon Dating System Versus Scratchproof Tape, 1982
Acrylic and oilstick on canvas mounted on wood supports
Courtesy VAN DE WEGHE Gallery  

For the first time ArtParis-Abu Dhabi is introducing eight so-called young galleries under the slogan Young Talent, each of which features a young artist not well known in the art world.

Fifteen artists from the Middle East are included in a special section of ArtParis-Abu Dhabi called Movement and Communication. Their works are linked by themes that reflect sea and desert.

Laila ESSAYDI



”Converging Territories #3”, 2003
Chromogenic print
Galerie Kashya Hildebrand

Last year ArtParis-Abu Dhabi attracted more than 9000 visitors and art collectors in three days. They spent close to $17 million. This time organizers are looking for 15,000 visitors, and aren’t guessing how much money they will spend in a year when belts are being tightened in many places.

Dr. Alma Kadragic is the director of the Zayed University Media Center in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where she has been living, working, and studying economic and cultural development for three years. She covered the US and Europe during 16 years with ABC News as producer and bureau chief, leaving broadcasting to set up and manage Alcat Communications International, a public relations and marketing agency with headquarters in Poland. She is the author of two books, A Handbook of Public Relations published in Poland (1996, 1997) and Globalization and Human Rights from Chelsea House (2005); chapters in books on economic development and broadcasting; and numerous articles on public relations, media, and entrepreneurship.  Dr. Kadragic earned a Ph.D in English literature from the City University of New York after completing M.A. and B.A. degrees at City College of New York.