Take a break from the August heat and step inside one of the many fantastic art exhibitions across the city this month. Here is a round-up of five of our favourite art shows on offer across Dubai this August.
Carpets of Eden, Gardens of Fantasy at Leila Heller Gallery
Carpets of Eden, Gardens of Fantasy at Leila Heller Gallery
The latest exhibition to open at the Leila Heller Gallery in Dubai is “Carpets of Eden, Gardens of Fantasy.” In this curated show the viewer is invited to explore these realms—a pilgrimage through the fantastical gardens where carpets dream and artists awaken the dormant magic within. Each step unveils a narrative, a brushstroke of creativity inspired by the rich tapestry beneath our feet. Let the exhibition stand as a testament to the extraordinary potential found in the overlooked corners of our daily lives—a celebration of the ordinary transformed into the extraordinary. This exhibition not only offers new perspectives on carpet research and artistic exploration but also presents the carpet as a model for understanding art and art histories in a broader sense.
Until 20th of September 2024; leilahellergallery.com
Lens & Light: Moments in Focus at Ayyam Gallery
This exhibition is a celebration of photography, including the work of some of the region’s most important creatives. The show features works by prominent names including Ammar al-Beik, Sama Alshaibi, Huda Baydoun, Majid Koorang Beheshti, Ammar Abd Rabbo, Faisal Samra, Rula Halawani, Nassouh Zaghlouleh, and Tammam Azzam. Discussing the exhibition, the gallery said: “In the realm of visual storytelling, despite their inherent discomfort, these moments bear witness to the resilience and fortitude that define us as individuals. In essence, moments in photography transcend mere documentation; it encapsulates the multifaceted human existence, a testament to the complexity of global affairs.”
Until 31st of August 2024; ayyamgallery.com
Tasmeem poster exhibition at ICD Brookfield Place
Tasmeem is an annual graphic design and poster show conceptualised by the ICD Brookfield Place Arts that aims to expand upon the discourse and display of graphic design for upcoming and established regional talent. This year’s theme is “Memory Box,” and travels through different themes including childhood nostalgia and the concept of belonging to a place or people. The organisers of the latest edition of the show explained “This year’s exhibition explores the folkloric tales, dances, music, proverbs, and games integral to our upbringing, revealing the shared experiences that thread through our lives. Through visually compelling representations, this exhibition captures the essence of these cultural treasures, illustrating how they weave the tapestry of our collective heritage and emphasizing the interconnection of our individual narratives.”
Until 30th of August 2024; icdbrookfieldplace.com
In Your Dreams at Bayt Al Mamzar
Born from a premonition, ‘In Your Dreams’ features multidisciplinary artworks that often combine traditional elements of Iranian culture with imagination and provocation offering emancipatory perspectives on identity and gender. This is not idle daydreaming but a gripping attention to what feels so lucid that we cannot turn away. Having recognised this power to envision and the fullness of its satisfaction, we can accept no less. Public programming, a library and a forthcoming publication accompany the exhibition.
Until 12th October; baytalmamzar.org
At The Edge Of Land at Jameel Arts Centre
‘At the Edge of Land’ delves into the intricate and often concealed relationships between landscapes and trade. The exhibition highlights unexpectedly interconnected geographies, resources and commodities, moving between land and sea to tell stories of conflict, erosion and extraction. It challenges ideas of emptiness and development, shedding light on the regions and people on the margins of trade routes. ‘At the Edge of Land’ features works from the Art Jameel Collection together with loans and new commissions by international artists. The exhibition originated at Hayy Arts, Jeddah, and the selection of artists and artworks presented traces the trade routes on which both Dubai and Jeddah are located – the busy maritime path connecting East Asia and Europe via the Gulf, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Until 29th of September 2024; jameelartscentre.org
