Capital Club explores major international art fairs and Art Dubai 2013

Held in an intimate setting on the Club's fourth flour terrace, 'An Introduction to Art Fairs' featured art advisor, independent curator and founder of Dubai-based Perceptions Fine Art Consulting, Larissa Kolesnikova, and Art Dubai Assistant Fair Director Zain Masud, who shared their insights on what art fairs entail, as well as practical advise on how to maximise your art fair experience.

Kolesnikova opened the evening with a overview of the world's major art fairs such as Art Basel's editions in Switzerland, Miami, and Hong Kong, Frieze London and Frieze New York, Abu Dhabi Art, and India Art Fair, as well as many other around the globe highlighting fairs' differences in structure, programming, and approach. As an art advisor, she provided some highly helpful and practical hints and tips on how to approach an art fair, remarking that gallery research and preparations such as getting a 'wish list' of art and artists ready before hand are the most important things to do before attending an art fair. Kolesnikova also noted that art fairs are excellent opportunity to view new works by international artists, meet gallerists, and network, urging attendees to focus on non-local dealers that would be normally hard to access outside the art fair setting and on a lighter, but no less salient note, advised wearing comfortable shoes (leaving your Manolos on for the VIP opening).

Shifting the focus to the upcoming Art Dubai 2013, Masud gave an outline of the popular fair's rich programme and offering, which includes feature 75 galleries from 30 countries comprising a showcase of the works of over 500 artists. In addition the fair's diverse not-for-profit programme of curatorial and educational projects includes such initiatives as a new sculpture park; site-specific works; a live radio station; curated film and video screenings; commissioned performances; the launch of the Sheikha Manal Little Artists projects for children; artists' and curators' residencies; the third edition of dXb store; plus the unveiling of works by the winners of the annual Abraaj Group Art Prize and the 7th iteration of the critically-acclaimed Global Art Forum.

Speaking about what makes Art Dubai unique, Masud remarked, "At Art Dubai we really focus on providing an intimate experience that allows for discovery. We work to attract a mix of leading galleries and younger dynamic art spaces to the fair that together create a unique experience and present a wide range of works, both in terms of medium and style, offering something for everyone."