Art Nights @ Gate Village – an arts focused initiative taking place in the heart of Dubai’s financial district – Gate Village; a contemporary urban area that’s home to a concoction of galleries, boutiques, restaurants and high-end cafes. Every month, Art Nights @ Gate Village combines elements of art, film, fashion, design and cuisine – through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

This event is FREE and OPEN to the public. To register: www.registerwithdifc.com/artnights

For more information, please email us on artnights@difc.ae or call +9714 362 2395

Event Program (28th April 2010)

7:00pm
The Empty Quarter
Exhibition Opening

The Empty Quarter Fine Art Photography Gallery proudly presents "Fragrance from the Sufi Garden" - photography by Shems Friedlander.

The 13th century Sufi master Jalaluddin Rumi spoke of the inner reality of everyday life; the sound of thunder, the flowers, snow, all of nature, as having a hidden meaning that lies beneath its surface. For the artist this is a process of seeing through one's inner being into a world of continuous impressions, and being present in a moment of active awareness recorded by the camera.

7:30pm
A 30min guided tour of the 2010 Abraaj Capital Art Prize
Enter the History of a Myth: The Small Dome of the Rock by Kader Attia (Algeria), a video installation inspired by the historic monument. Marvel at The Myths and Legends Room: The Mural by Hala Elkoussy (Egypt) a photographic panorama of life in Cairo. Experience The Feast of the Damned by Marwan Sahmarani (Lebanon), which combines epic works on canvas, paper, ceramics and video.

 

8:00pm
Cuadro Fine Art Gallery
Exhibition Opening and Curatorial Tour of A. Rahim Sharif's Solo Show

Cuadro Fine Art Gallery will unveil "Recent Works", a Solo Show by Bahraini Artist A. Rahim Sharif.

Sharif's manipulation of colour and form allows him to daringly juxtapose contrasting elements such as torment and anguish with comical undertones. One way in which he achieves this contrast is by portraying dark subjects that are often sinister or troubled in bright, vivacious colours. Ironically, this contrast of light and dark results in an overall emotional balance to the viewer, giving a sense of completeness to his work. 

The Show will open with a curatorial tour with the Artist and Gallery Director Bashar Al Shroogi.

8:30pm
Art Nights Auction

An auction of 7 works created at previous Art Nights @ Gate Village events as well as the DIFC Walk 2010, in Partnership with Bank Sarasin Alpen & Alpen Capital. All profits will be divided between a Dubai-based charity organisation and the participating artist.

Surprise timing
Live Public Improvisation by Dubomedy Arts

A community of performing artists from Dubomedy Arts will perform an original skit in front of an audience anywhere between 8-10pm.

Artspace
A collection of contemporary works will be on display by Artspace's represented artists, featuring Dr. Omar El Nagdi,  Zakaria Ramhani, Joe Kesrouani, Hussein Madi, Kamal Boullata and Adel El Siwi.  The exhibition will also be on rotation on an ongoing basis.

Opera Gallery
New works on display.

The Farjam Collection
The Farjam Collection brings the taste of Iran to Art Nights for its latest exhibition Iran Inside Out.  Visitors
can enjoy the works on display while savouring a range of Iranian pastries and tea.
Iran Inside Out explores the individual artistic expression of young Iranian artists working both within and outside of Iran.  Inaugurated in New York before travelling to Chicago, its Dubai edition features highlights from the exhibition alongside some of the finest contemporary Iranian art drawn from Dr Farjam's collection. 

Pastries and tea will be served from 7.00pm onwards.

Digital Interactive Art through Apple iPAD
Experiment with digital art using the revolutionary new tablet computer - Apple iPAD. With the help of emerging young artist Aleksandra Shatohina, participants will be able to take part in the creation of a larger scale digital art piece entitled "The Art of Communication". Aleksandra will combine classic art skills with modern technology creating a new visual experience. This project is co-ordinated by Dubai-based software company, Bamboozle.

Video Art by Chittrovanu Mazumdar & "Digital Works" Exhibition Opening
Projected in the Gate Village is a video art piece by contemporary Indian artist Chittrovanu Mazumdar. Actress Richa Kapoor lies trapped within our gaze and also wanders free in a space we cannot access or control.

*7PM Exhibition Opening:"Digital Works" by Chittrovanu Mazumdar - DIFC Precinct Building 2, Bridge 2 Lobby. 

The harsh, topography of rural Jharkhand has long been an important feature in the work of Chittrovanu Mazumdar, who has repeatedly explored its strange, enigmatic, almost lunar, vistas. It forms the entire focus of this latest show in which three series of photographs - landscapes and earthscapes - are presented along with a single channel video piece and a floor projection.

Design objects by Andrew Martin
Look out for the captivating selection of stylish yet quirky designs on display from Andrew Martin.As one of the UK's leaders in original quality textiles and furnishing interior design, the Andrew Martin showroom in the Gate Village, showcases simple yet innovative designs with global inspiration. Using distinctive colours and textured fabrics, crafts and cultural traditions found on his travels are translated into stylish yet contemporary creations.  The Andrew Martin brand is now distributed worldwide in more than 55 countries with over 3,000metres of Andrew Martin fabric sold every day.