Artparis Abu Dhabi 2008 features emerging galleries and talent

Running November 18 - 21 at Emirates Palace Hotel, artparis Abu Dhabi 2008 has expanded by more than 40%, with an impressive 27 new international and regional galleries participating.

Organised in partnership with Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and artparis, the fair is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of ADACH and TDIC, said:

"artparis Abu Dhabi is an important contribution to growing our national arts programming, with the goal of stimulating cultural exchange and expanding audiences in anticipation of the opening of the Saadiyat Island Cultural District."

Established artists featured in artparis Abu Dhabi 2008 include Paul Cézanne, Shilpa Chavan, Jim Dine, Bernard Frize, Alberto Giacometti, Shirin Neshat, Damien Hirst, Henri Matisse, Julian Opie, Yazid Oulab, Pablo Picasso, Thomas Ruff, Faisal Samra, Niki de Saint Phalle, Massimo Vitali and Andy Warhol.

And with two special exhibitions at artparis Abu Dhabi 2008, the fair's focus falls on the Middle East's fast-evolving contemporary art scene. 'Movement and Communication...travels through desert and sea,' curated by Amal Traboulsi, explores the influence of the region's landscape on 16 artists from the Arab world.

The inaugural 'artparis Abu Dhabi Young Talent' section features the works of eight emerging artists, represented by eight new galleries from eight different countries, including Lebanon-born Camille Zakharia and Iranian photographer Jamshid Bayrami.

"Artparis Abu Dhabi 2008 plays an important role in the regional and international art marketplace," said Caroline Clough-Lacoste, Director of artparis Abu Dhabi.

"In line with Abu Dhabi's long-term arts programme, the addition of 27 new galleries, the focus on emerging artists and several exciting new educational programming initiatives will further evolve the event's grass-roots objectives," added Clough-Lacoste.

Returning local exhibitors B21 Gallery, Green Art Gallery, Hunar Gallery and The Third Line are complemented by new additions 1x1 Art Gallery, Art Sawa and Contempo Corporate Art, ensuring the UAE is once again strongly represented.

On the fair's fringes, a Monumental Art Garden will be installed in the gardens of the Emirates Palace Hotel. Organised by artparis Abu Dhabi's participating galleries, the Monumental Art Garden will feature sculptures by 12 artists, including the large-scale work 'Le Chien en Trois Couleurs' by the 20th century master Alexander Calder.

artparis Abu Dhabi is part of Abu Dhabi's fast-growing schedule of exhibitions, concerts and other arts events in the lead-up to the phased launch from 2012-13 of the Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, which will be the world's single largest concentration of premier cultural institutions. Unprecedented in scale and scope, these facilities will include the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts center and a maritime museum.

artparis Abu Dhabi 2008 will be open to the public from 3pm to 10pm Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 November, and 3pm - 8pm on Friday 21 November. Entrance to the fair is free.