Let the Alserkal Art Week Begin

by Sophie She

Let the Alserkal Art Week Begin

26 Feb 2024

Once again, the artistic heart of Dubai is blossoming with the new art event. Taking place from February 25th till the 3rd of March (we will give you date recommendations later), Alserkal Art Week is stitched with an idea to bring discussions back to the art table.

Vilma Jurkute, Executive Director of Alserkal, this is her favourite week of the year. In 2024, Alserkal Art Week will present 28 exhibitions, uncovering not only Europe-centric art but presenting pieces from all around the world, united by common ideas.

Just like contemporary art, the Alserkal Art Week consists of several “mediums”. One can enjoy exclusive exhibitions, curated talks, walks, installations, and gallery tours. As usual, Alserkal really has it all.

This text is your guide on what to look at and where, so you won’t feel as confused as we were initially.

Date disclaimer aka What to improve

If you are confused by the Alserkal Art Week website, rest assured, you're not alone. We felt the same way. Thus, this article aims to give you at least some navigation in the programme. What is important to highlight is that most if the exhibitions and events actually start on the 27th being interconnected with Art Dubai. Despite that, the posters and ads say the week is since 25th — it is not. So, save yourself some time and come by from the 27th onwards to enjoy truly great collections. Please use this text as a guide for this week, and let’s hope navigation at Alserkal's events will be better next time.

What to look for on February 27th

Solo Exhibition by André Butzer

Blending European Expressionism and American popular culture, Butzer is really a one-of-a-kind artist. Alserkal Art Week presents everyone with a magnificent opportunity for all of us to take a bite of amazing pieces by German artist. Matisse-inspired colour palette and careful yet spontaneous brushstrokes are Butzer’s hallmark.

Instagram: @alserkalavenue

Five works will be exhibited as part of the Alserkal Art Week, at a “Carbon 12” gallery, so don’t waste time and come have a look on the 27th!

Ends: 30 March 2024

Venue: Carbon 12, Warehouse 37

“Can You Hear Me?” x “Ballad of a Woman”

The centrepiece of the art week is “Can You Hear Me?” created by iconic video artist Nalini Malani. Nalini is representing the so-called Indian Avantgarde, as the curator Nada Raza mentioned. In her work “Can You Hear Me?” Nalini is investigating the feminist way of processing the world. Based on a tragic story that happened to an 8-year-old girl, Nalini unites the voices and screams of all women around the globe, calling the public to hear them out and explore inner femininity.

Instagram: @volteartprojects/

Mixing together textual and visual quotations, Malani creates “thought bubbles.” Rooted in her lifelong commitment to conscientious art, the nine-channel video installation within Concrete features 88 iPad hand-drawn animations (2018–2020), creating a chorus against historic injustices like patriarchal violence with unprecedented theatrical impact.

Nalini describes her practice: “Art is a tree-partied relationship between the viewer, the art and the artist. It is always about the creative part of the spectator.”

Starts: February 27th, 7.45 pm

Venue: The Yard

“How to Disappear” by Ana Mazzei

Instagram: @mazzeiana

The third and concluding act of Mazzei’s project “Love Scene, Crime Scene.” Making you, the viewer, the main detective in this story, the Brazilian artist presents a collection of sculptures and canvas that tell a fictional story about the disappearance of a ballerina. Her dreamy, unrealistic, and very theatrical pieces will turn on your imagination, as you will be tempted to combine these fragments into one compelling story, just like modern criminologists. Yes, this is as fun and engaging as it sounds.

Ends: 20 April 2024

Venue: Green Art Gallery, Warehouse 28

"Taking L's” by Charmaine Chanakira

The legendary Charmaine, Zimbabwean-born and London-raised Afro-expressionist, is, in fact, a self-taught painter.

Source: alserkal.online

Her specific collection is all about important things in our lives that start with L’s — love, loss, and learning. All difficult on different levels, these parts of our existence are examined through the beautiful, colourful language of Charmaine Chanakira. Come to enjoy playful doodles with deep meanings. To have the first look at the iconic exhibition, don’t forget to register here.

Ends: 20 March 2024

Venue: Mestaria Gallery, Warehouse 35

“Invitation to a Mystical Dreamland” by Kenia Almaraz Murillo

Instagram: @keniaalmarazmurillo

Exhibiting six new and five existing “dreams,” the Bolivian artist sets her first solo exhibition in the UAE. Why “dreams”? Because each of the pieces is Kenia’s pictured dreams, where ordinary things take on unusual meanings or shapes. Threaded. Colourful and dreamy.

Ends: 6 April 2024

Venue: Custot Gallery Dubai, Warehouse 84

“Toy World” by Farah Al Qasimi

Instagram: @alserkalavenue

The fourth solo exhibition of Farah Al Qasimi presents a collection of still and moving images, surprisingly for the artist, only in black and white and colour. Discovering the meaning people “agree” to assign to each object or word, this contemporary collection is definitely worth having a look at.

Ends: 19 April 2024

Venue: The Third Line, Warehouse 78

“Watan” by Graciela Magnoni

Source: alserkal.online

The only photography exhibition on the Art Week, but it is definitely a must-see for photo-journalism lovers. The collection, shot during Magnoni’s tragic trip to Pakistan, revolves around people, community, memory, and the tenacity of Punjabis are the main themes of this series. Not to spoil everything, you will have to come and see for yourself to truly grasp the context and underlying theme of life and death.

Starts: February 27th, 6.00 pm

Venue: 1x1 Art Gallery, Warehouse 10

Live performance “Talisman”

Instagram: @lawrieshabibi

Mandy El-Sayegh, the London-based artist, presents "Talisman," a performance within her solo exhibition "A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose," curated by Sara Raza. Co-created with movement artist Chelsea Gordon and featuring sound by Sami El-Enany, the performance draws from various prayer rituals, exploring new ways of presenting sound and performance.

Starts: February 27th, 8.30 pm

Venue: Lawrie Shabibi, Warehouse 21

by Sophie She