New arts event for capital

Contemporary art and older masterpieces from across the Middle East, Europe and the US, will be on display in November.

Powered by automated translation

An art fair, exhibitions, performances and galas are heading for the capital this autumn as part of a new annual event devoted to contemporary art and design. Abu Dhabi Art will be staged from November 19 to 22, hosted by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (Adach). The festival will include contemporary art and older masterpieces from across the Middle East, Europe and the US, displayed at the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Last November, Abu Dhabi was the site of Art Paris, another contemporary arts festival that attracted more than 15,000 visitors to see galleries representing more than 22 countries. Organisers at the time said Art Paris was intended to become an annual event. But it was unclear yesterday whether Abu Dhabi Art was connected to Art Paris. "Abu Dhabi Art adds a major new component to the schedule of world-class exhibitions, public programmes, performing arts events and more that are already happening in the emirate, encouraging the growth of our burgeoning arts scene and building Abu Dhabi's capacity to be a cultural capital for one of the world's most dynamic regions," said Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the chairman of TDIC and Adach.

jgerson@thenational.ae