Latifa bint Mohammed inaugurated "Art house" In Expo City Dubai

DUBAI, 18th November, 2018 (WAM) – Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, inaugurated the “House of Art” in Expo City Dubai, a new multidisciplinary cultural and artistic center whose goal is to support the arts and artists in the UAE, the Gulf states, and the Arab region in general, and to make all kinds of arts available to everyone, in an important step within the “Expo City Dubai” strategy to strengthen its position as a destination for the most prominent artistic and cultural events, and a forum for artists to exchange ideas and display their work.

The opening took place in the new Art House building, formerly the Moroccan Pavilion, which is one of the legacy pavilions of Expo 2020. It has won a number of engineering awards for its unique architectural design, and was recently nominated for the prestigious Aga Khan Award. It was also refurnished and renovated to suit the goals of the Art House, which extends over seven floors and includes exhibitions, workshops, and spaces for events and programs.

During her tour of the inaugural exhibition of the House of Art, which is organized under the title “Entangled,” Her Highness, President of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, reviewed the collection of creative works presented by 18 local, Gulf and Arab artists, where she praised the excellence of their ideas and visions that reflect their ambitions and their ability to enrich the local cultural scene.

Her Highness said: “The exhibition highlights the uniqueness of the thinking of the participating artists, and its distinction lies in the diversity of creative viewpoints, which opens horizons of dialogue, extends bridges of communication between local, Gulf and Arab artistic competencies, and provides the opportunity to exchange experiences and visions among them, which contributes to strengthening the strength of the artistic movement in the country, and establishing a sustainable environment capable of stimulating the spirit of innovation among creators, and contributing to supporting the cultural and creative industries.”

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised the strategic partnership between Dubai Culture and Expo City Dubai, pointing out that it represents a model of integration between cultural institutions and centres, and reflects concerted efforts to support cultural diversity and empower the creative sector in the emirate.

The opening, which was attended by a number of dignitaries, came to consolidate the mission of Expo City Dubai and its efforts to bring together various cultures and introduce them to the heritage of the region. During the opening, visitors learned about the origins of the traditional Sadu weaving craft, which was expressed by the creativity of an elite group of the most skilled Gulf artists and designers in innovative methods.

The exhibition presents a rich artistic mix that reflects the richness of Gulf experiences and traditions, taking visitors on a contemplative journey through local and regional cultural narratives, starting with artworks inspired by pearl fishing and the Sadu craft, which were re-presented by artists in an innovative way through metal and digital artworks, all the way to hanging textiles and sandworks.

The participating artists presented a distinguished group of works that reflect the aesthetics of the Sadu craft, which is included on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Their artwork highlighted the connections between generations, combining ancient crafts with contemporary expressions, shared values ​​and traditions, as well as diverse cultural and personal narratives.

The “House of Art” is one of the fruits of the strategic partnership between “Dubai Culture” and Expo City Dubai, which aims to enhance the emirate’s position as a global center for creativity and innovation. The partnership also includes the “Dhi Dubai” art exhibition, which concludes today (Tuesday), highlighting the most prominent Emirati artists across three different generations.

On the occasion of the closing of the “Dhi Dubai” exhibition, Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director for Events and Entertainment at Expo City Dubai, and curator of “Art House” said: “While the lights of the second edition of the “Dhi Dubai” artistic activities go out, today we shine a new light through “Art House”, the new forum for artists and creatives in the region to innovate, communicate and move towards broader horizons of creativity. Our inaugural exhibition celebrates our shared cultural narratives and unique personal stories that… Inspiring each one of us, the Art House will breathe new life into the arts that tell stories of shared traditions and ancient heritage, weaving them side by side with contemporary art forms into a vibrant tapestry, connecting generations of dreamers here in the creative heart of Expo City Dubai.”

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter