Royal Academy of Arts in London addresses key role of art institutions at "Talking Art" Abu Dhabi

Notes and media contacts

Please call +971 2 6908206 or visit the exhibition to reserve your place.

Talking Art: Royal Academy Programme schedule:

Please note: schedule is subject to change; please confirm with press office.

Day One - Monday 23rd February 5.30pm:

• Evening Launch Lecture:

The Royal Academy and the Development of Art in Britain - By Dr Charles Saumarez Smith, CBE

An illustrated lecture on the history of the Royal Academy and how it has influenced the development of art over the last two hundred years in Britain will be given by Dr. Saumarez Smith, Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal Academy. The lecture will provide a "case study" on the critical role institutions can play in fostering a creative culture and will touch on the future possibilities for art institutions and their relationship with artists and the art public.

Dr. Saumarez Smith will also provide a brief introduction to the developments in the London art world over the last three decades, including the exhibition A New Spirit in Painting held at the Royal Academy in 1981, other key galleries, the new generation of Brit artists and the effect of the opening of Tate Modern in 2000.

Day Two - Tuesday 24th February 5.30pm:

• Evening Lecture:

The Royal Academicians and the Summer Exhibition - By Humphrey Ocean, RA

The Summer Exhibition is has been an annual fixture in the history of the Royal Academy ever since it was founded and remains an important democratic showcase for contemporary art. Humphrey Ocean will talk about what it means to be a Royal Academician and about his involvement as the artist curator for the 2008 Summer Exhibition.

Followed by:

• Panel Discussion:
• Building Public Culture: Artists, Institutions and the Art Public

Charles Saumarez Smith (moderator) and Humphrey Ocean, (UAE panellists tbc) will discuss contemporary tendencies in the role of cultural institutions in shaping creativity, patronage and collecting .This panel will explore the relationship between these different elements that make up a "living" art world.

Day Three - Wednesday 25th February:

At 5.30pm

• Jalal Luqman - Artist Presentation
Considered one of the most provocative artists in the UAE, his work creates a seamless amalgamation between metal and digital art, resulting in a unique artistic language. As well as lecturing and participating in seminars, Jalal exhibits nationally and internationally.

• Ebtisam Abdul Aziz - Artist Presentation
An artist and writer from the UAE, Ebtisam holds a Bachelors Degree in Science and Mathematics and is a member of the Member of Al Tashkeel Editors Magazine-Fine Art Society, amongst many other institutions. She has participated in several exhibitions nationally and internationally.

• Gary Hume - Artist Presentation
One of the most important British painters working today, Royal Academician Gary Hume will give a fully illustrated presentation of his work.

• Louise Wilson - Artist Presentation
One of the Turner Prize nominees twins Wilson sisters; Louise will give an illustrated talk on their work in film and video.

At 8.30pm

• Panel: New Arts Exchanges - Artists finding a voice in an International Art World

Gary Hume, Jane Wilson, Jalal Luqman, and Ebtisam Abdul Aziz will talk about the ways in which an increasingly internationalised art world provides both challenges and opportunities for artists working today including the new Saadiyat Island cultural district.

Moderated by: (Judith Greer)

The discussion will include contributions from the floor.

About Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC):

Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is Abu Dhabi's leading cultural and tourism asset developer and the name behind some of the world's most significant cultural initiatives including Saadiyat Island, which will be home to the world's largest single concentration of premier cultural institutions, including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, designed by Lord Norman Foster; the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum designed by Frank Gehry; the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum designed by Jean Nouvel; a performing arts centre designed by Zaha Hadid and a maritime museum by Tadao Ando.

For more information please contact:

Zaina Tahboub
tbwaraad
+ 971 4 425 8979

Noura Dabo
tbwaraad
+ 971 4 425 8979