Free to attend talks set to open the World of Art to everyone

Informal art sessions open conversation on topics including 

‘What is good art?’ and ‘The Transition to Digital Art’

World Art Dubai partners with Microsoft as Digital Art Partner 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 4, 2016:  Access to the arts, culture and music is essential to a person’s intellectual development and is vital for the dynamism of a city, according to Dr Eric Matser, Clinical Neuropsychologist form German Neuroscience Centre in Dubai.

Speaking ahead of his free to attend, open session talk ‘What makes an artist an artist? What is artistic talent? ’ held as part of the Art Talks programme at World Art Dubai, Dr Matser said: “Art is the cardiovascular system of this city. It is the life force and that makes the city vibrant. Top class art creates the real soul of Dubai.

“Every nation should have a talent center in which talent from all walks of life should learn, work and live together. Being situated in one location makes it highly accessible. That means that top football players should live in the same center with top musicians, top dancers and top scholars. As in cross-pollination, talent learns from talent.

Dr Matser is one of a collection of speakers, comprising international artists, thought leaders and academics, who are set to lead discussions on cultural boundaries, talent development and art collecting through a series of highly interactive and hands on creative workshops and free and informal talks.

Taking place at World Art Dubai, the programme will offer a series of collaborative workshops and talks, presented by Microsoft, the fair’s Digital Art Partner, built around the theme ‘Breaking Cultural Boundaries through Art,’ available to both children and adults between 6-9 April at The Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Microsoft will bring in Ashraf Ghori, an award-winning artist and filmmaker, CEO of Dubai-based digital design agency Xpanse CGI and Senior Digital Art Consultant for Bayyinah TV to deliver talks about the transition to digital art, digital painting techniques and how to break out of the comfort zone.

Neel Patkar, Events Manager at thejamjar, the Dubai-based art studio creating the workshops, believes the workshops will bring a unique opportunity for visitors to unleash their creativity through the use of mixed media in age-specific groups led by artists. Each ‘hands on’ experience will be preceded by a presentation of well-known art works, explained in their historical and cultural context.

“The basic elements of art are relevant in all cultures: colour, line, shape, texture and composition are understood across the globe,” said Patkar. “They are visual tools of expression and can be used by us to gain an understanding of each other.

“Participants will be introduced to different approaches to colour, shape, 3D sculpture, and to create different effects and our main aim is to reflect on how artists of different backgrounds communicate their messages to Dubai’s cosmopolitan public.”

Alongside the workshops, the event’s visitors will be able to participate in interactive open conversations and presentations led by academics, experienced curators, artists, and scientists on topics ranging from art therapy, classification, collecting to the neuroscientific debate on the relationship between art and the human brain. 

To Desiree Vlekken, Founder & CEO of 4get-me-not Alzheimer’s Organization, a non-profit organization dedicated in raising awareness on Alzheimer’s in the UAE and the CSR partner of World Art Dubai, creative arts such as music, art, or drama are also a powerful resource for mental and physical well-being of both young and old.

She said: “There is a growing body of research that art can do incredible things to our mind and body and through World Art Dubai, 4get-me-not explores creative possibilities which may keep our brain healthy and memories sharp.”

Underlining the show’s message that global contemporary art is accessible and affordable for every wall, Irina Boumistrova, Curatorial Director at Andakulova Gallery, Dubai, will deliver a compelling session “ABC of Art Collecting,” guiding the audience step by step through the process of art collection and explaining the intricacies of the art market to all art enthusiasts.  

Similarly, Maria Girgenti, Co-Founder & Director of Partner Relations, Gallerique.com will provide the audience with advice on how to purchase artwork from different sources and position it effectively, while Nina Torres, Director & Chief Curator at Nina Torres Fine Art will feature an educational presentation themed “All you need to know about the art market.”

Another highlight of the Art Talks programme will be ‘Street Art Talk,‘ a presentation delivered by LA-based Skyler Grey the youngest artist ever to be exhibited and brought to Dubai by COYA Dubai, on his artistic journey and the messages his art work represents.

“Art is an expression of humanism, and varying human conditions. People are able to break cultural boundaries by simply appreciating the beauty of the image, and respecting the humanity of its creator. Art inspires mutual human respect through beauty,” he said.

“As an artist, I create images that I think are universal. I think the challenge is for the audience to keep an open mind.” 

Among 15 sessions featuring international industry experts talks run alongside educational art workshops for children and adults, Microsoft, the event’s Digital Art Partner, will deliver three interactive presentations dedicated to the world of digital art.

Other prominent Art Talks speakers will include Dr Efthymios Papatzikis, Assistant Professor in educational neuroscience of music and sound, Canadian University Dubai featuring a presentation themed “'Impact of art on the human brain” and Dr Zoltan Somhegyi Art Historian, Assistant Professor College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah who will deliver a talk on the history of art collection.  

World Art Dubai 2016 is hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Entry to the fair is AED15 for a daily pass and tickets can be purchased onsite during the fair at the welcome desks.  Children 16 years and under are admitted free of charge, upon showing a student ID.  More information and pre-registration is available at www.worldartdubai.com. 

World Art Dubai is supported by Canon as its Official Imaging Partner and Microsoft as the Digital Art Partner, Jamjar as its Creative Learning Partner, Repton School as the Official School Partner, Alpha as the Official Travel Partner, Gallerique as the Official Online Partner, designMENA as the Official Media Partner, the Emerging Artist Award as the Official Award Partner, Coya as the Official Restaurant and VIP Preview Partner, 4get-me-not as the Official CSR Partner, FedEx as the Official Courier Partner and Ripe, Contemporary Design & Craft Market Partner. 

Caption:    World Art Dubai will host the Art Talks programme, featuring speakers such as Skyler Gray, a 15 year old LA-based street artist.