Art Projects at Art Dubai: Pakistan Pavilion and Art Park to be inaugurated at Art Dubai 2008

Those include Wim Delvoye, Tarek Zaki, Amir H. Fallah, Sunil Gawde and Marwan Rechmaoui as well as a special exhibition of contemporary art from Pakistan curated by Salima Hashmi: "Desperately Seeking Paradise" which will take place in the Pakistan Pavilion.

"Desperately Seeking Paradise" features eleven artists from Pakistan whose work circumscribes the many pathways and many notions of paradise that possess us today. Amongst the participants are artists such as Rashid Rana, Naiza Khan, Farida Batool, Imran Qureshi and Mohammad Ali Talpur.

John Martin, Fair Director comments "We are pleased that amongst this year's highlights is a curated show of Pakistani contemporary art. Art Dubai offers a unique opportunity to showcase the creative energies of artists who are now emerging on the international art scene as an innovative and creative group. This exhibition is the first in a series of annual projects that will focus on artists from across the wider Middle East, North Africa and sub-continental Asia region."

Art Dubai's 2008 art projects will also feature the EFG-Hermes Art Project presented by The Townhouse Gallery, Cairo. The work is an installation piece by Egyptian Artist Tareq Zaki entitled M.O.N.U.M.E.N.T. X.

Art Dubai is also pleased to announce a new project space for the Middle East's first contemporary art fair.

Art Park, situated in the underground car park at the Madinat Arena, is a space devoted to experimental and site-specific works with a particular emphasis on video.

Art Park includes projects by Idris Khan (Yvon Lambert, Paris/New York), Jittish Kallat (Albion Gallery, London) and Mohammed Zeeshan and Khalil Chishtee (Green Cardamom, London) will be on display. Visitors will also experience video work by Susy Gomez (Horrach Moya), Afghan-born Lida Abdul (Giorgio Persano), and Algerian artist Kader Attia (Albion Gallery).

The Art Park will also include the Bidoun Cinema, featuring curated video programmes with a Middle Eastern focus.

The Bidoun Lounge, designed by UAE-based design company Traffic, will also host a 'video bar' with continuous screenings.

"Art Projects are an integral part of the development of Art Dubai and offer visitors the chance to experience major works by international artists.

As part of the on-going commitment to innovative regional art, the very first Art Park project space focuses on video work from the Middle East curated by Bidoun, alongside other international video works", says Martin.

Exhibition sites are located at the Madinat Arena, situated within the Madinat Jumeirah Resort, walking distance from the beach and many hotels.