Art Dubai

Digital art and NFTs are considered the new trend, but not a new concept.

Muhcine Ennou, Untitled, NFT Animation still (2022)

With text by Hala Khayat, Regional Director of Art Dubai since 2020.

History repeating itself is apparent in the art world today. In the same way that figuration was once banned and photography became a new visual language, NFTs were initially explored and discussed but were not taken seriously. Now that the market is maturing, collecting digital art and NFTs is becoming more mainstream.

Now in its 15th year, Art Dubai returns to Madinat Jumeirah between March 11 to 13, 2022, with its most extensive edition to date. The fair introduces a brand-new gallery section, Art Dubai Digital, that explores a range of digital art, including NFTs.

The new section offers a comprehensive presentation that will give a 360-degree introduction to the digital art realm. A collection of seventeen local and international galleries, both traditional models and new digitally native platforms, have been brought together to help visitors understand more about the digital art world and how it has evolved since the 1980s.

While digital art and NFTs are considered the new trend, Art Dubai Digital highlights that digital innovations within the arts are not a new concept and in fact date back to the 1980s. A series of educational talks will be hosted to give the fair’s audience a clear understanding, including Art Dubai’s celebrated Global Art Forum, which will discuss the adoption of digital technologies and their impact on artistsand artistic production. A new series of Byit Talks will cover the basics of these worlds in layman’s terms, answering questions relating to crypto and NFTs. Also taking on a digital focus this year is the Campus Art Dubai 9.0 Blockchain Edition, which will display works of twelve UAE and international artists mentored over an eight-week process.

Art Dubai Digital is an essential addition to the fair considering the city of Dubai is now becoming one of the crypto hubs of the world.

This year’s fair welcomes galleries showcasing a selection of photography, moving images, and NFTs from artists such as Kiluanji Kia Henda—Jahmek Contemporary Art, Waswo X. Waswo— Latitude 28, Hicham Benohoud—Loft Art Gallery, Tarik Chebli—Emergeast, and Hana Shahnavaz—Emergeast, among others.

Tarik Chebli, Shikogabana, NFT Animation still (2022)

Mazyar Kamkar & Reza Vojdani, CarpETHereum, NFT Animation still (2021)

Dima Abdul Kader:
As an online art gallery that advocates art collecting through facilitated means. Blockchain technology cements our mission to create greater accessibility to artists but also advocate digital art that we have always believed to be a pivotal medium to assist artists in realising their inspirations and creations at a deeper level.

Nikki Meftah:

We are excited to showcase our artists at this year’s Art Dubai Digital that are both native and new to the digital art realm. Unveiling how our artists have bridged their physical practice into digital art has opened up a new breadth of work, the ‘phygital’ selection will engage and resonate with collectors in ways previously unexperienced

@emergeast

Images Courtesy of EMERGEAST