ARTS
Save the date
Yes, we know, November feels a long way away now, but you know what it’s like – before you know it, it’ll be Ramadan, then five metaphorical minutes later you’ll be ringing in the New Year, so better early than not at all, we say. In that spirit, get your diary out and make a big red mark over November 5 to 7 – the just-confirmed date for the second edition of last year’s
Eye on the prize Now, we don’t generally need a reason to visit the delightful XVA Gallery – their excellent exhibition roster and cool courtyard is rationale enough. For those of you who do need a gentle incentive to wend your way through Bastakiya’s walled alleyways, however, this latest wheeze from the gallery should get the motivational juices flowing. The gallery’s current show is a trio of solo exhibitions by three female artists with very different practices – Dubaibased US artist Julia Townsend presents her slightly surreal humorous paintings in Things That Go In, Out, Back, Up And Around; Suzanne Kanatsiz plays with classical Arabic form in Writing The Written; while emerging Sri Lankan abstract artist Anoma Wijewardene reflects on nature and the manmade in Earth, Rise Within Us. Presumably it’s the latter artist who has inspired the aforementioned incentive to visit – the chance to win a three-night stay at the boutique Kahanda Kanda hotel in Galle, Sri Lanka. Simply drop your business card in when you visit the show and you’ll be in with a chance to win. Sorted. Until Jun 9, XVA Gallery, Bastakiya, Bur Dubai, Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3535383. www.xvagallery.com
hugely successful Abu Dhabi Art. Last year saw some of the biggest names in the international art world bring their galleries and artists to the fair, alongside the best emerging work from the Middle East. With a full programme of talks, events and exhibitions still yet to be announced, 2010 promises to be another winner – let the countdown begin. www.abudhabiartfair.ae
To market, to market...
More reasons to visit Bastakiya this month – head down to the pretty courtyard of the Majlis Gallery before the worst of the summer’s heat kicks in for its Majlis Market. It’s not strictly confined to ‘art’ as such, but there will be plenty of prints and canvases to peruse along with selected crafts, jewellery and hand-blocked Indian textiles, with
cakes and other sweet treats there to keep the energy levels up while you browse. And there’s always the gallery itself to explore, of course, should you wish to make a morning or afternoon of it. Jun 5, Majlis Gallery, Al Musalla roundabout, Bastakiya, Bur Dubai, free. Tel: (04) 3536233. www. themajlisgallery.com JUNE 2010 WHAT’S ON 79