Gottfried Eisenberger, curator of World Art Dubai.
Could you introduce yourself and shed some light on your role at World Art Dubai?
Hello, my name is Gottfried Eisenberger and I am from Austria. I am the CEO of scan.art, a revolutionary digital exhibition guide for art fairs and art exhibitions. Our journey with World Art Dubai began in 2020, marking a significant partnership through which we've had the privilege to actively contribute to the evolution of this incredible art fair.
In the last year, I've embarked on a new venture within the fair, serving as one of the three show curators alongside Batool Jafri from Pakistan and Samar Kamel from Egypt. This year, we're particularly excited as we curate the 10th edition of World Art Dubai, a milestone that underscores the fair's enduring legacy in the Middle East and vibrant future.
As curators, our role transcends the mere organization of the event; we consider ourselves the gatekeepers of World Art Dubai. This entails a profound responsibility to sift through and decide which emerging talents earn the spotlight at the fair. Our mission is to nurture and showcase the diversity and dynamism of global artistic talent, ensuring that each edition of World Art Dubai serves as a beacon for cultural exchange (like Dubai) and artistic innovation.
What's the origin story of World Art Dubai? When and how did it all begin?
World Art Dubai began its journey in 2015, establishing itself as the region's most accessible art fair, offering space for emerging artists to showcase their works. Hosted annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre, it welcomes over 300 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, featuring over 4,000 artworks. This includes a wide array of mediums such as paintings, calligraphy, digital art, sculptures, and street art. From its inception, World Art Dubai has aimed to offer an inclusive atmosphere, integrating competitions, workshops, live demonstrations, and curated art talks
How does World Art Dubai stand apart from other art events?
World Art Dubai stands out by being a vibrant, family-friendly art fair, featuring workshops, panel discussions, performances, live art shows, and a unique urban art section. It's a four-day event that offers affordable art directly from emerging and mid-career artists, with onsite wrapping stations for immediate takeaway. It has become a launchpad for many successful Middle Eastern and international artists, positioning itself as a vital starting ground in Dubai, the world's most vibrant city, for artists aiming for international success.
With the 10th edition underway, what fresh perspectives or goals are being introduced compared to previous years?
For the 10th edition of World Art Dubai, we're introducing new formats for panel discussions and workshops, alongside live art performances and a showcase of incredible art from around the globe. New awards will honor the dedication and hard work of our exhibitors, a testament to our commitment to celebrating emerging talent. Our goal to elevate the quality of works on display while maintaining accessibility as an emerging art fair will be evident, marking a significant evolution in our journey to combine excellence with accessibility.
The three curators of World Art Dubai. From left: Samar Kamel, Batool Jafri, and Gottfried Eisenberger.
In what ways is World Art Dubai positioned as a strategically important economic event and location?
World Art Dubai aligns with Dubai's status as a global cultural hub and booming tourism and economic center. By showcasing a diverse range of art from around the world, it attracts a wide audience, including international visitors and art collectors. This contributes significantly to the local economy through tourism, sales, and fostering a vibrant art market. It also underscores Dubai's position as a leading destination for cultural exchange and economic development within the global art scene.
The choice of three different curators from various nationalities—is this aimed at bringing diverse global perspectives to the art world?
Absolutely, the decision to have three curators from three different parts of the World (Africa, Asia and Europe) is a strategic one aimed at enriching World Art Dubai with diverse global perspectives. This diversity reflects in the curation of artworks, ensuring a wide range of art styles and themes from across the globe. By combining different backgrounds—from the business side of art to successful artists and gallerists—this approach ensures a rich, varied exhibition that maintains high quality across the board, catering to a global audience with varied tastes and interests.
Does World Art Dubai feature unique activities such as live performances, lectures, or award ceremonies during the event?
Yes, World Art Dubai is renowned for featuring unique activities, including live art performances, engaging panel discussions, workshops, and an exciting awards ceremony. These events are designed to offer an immersive art experience, fostering interactive engagement between artists, galleries, and visitors, while celebrating the contributions and achievements within the art community. We have many visitors that come back every day of the 4-day exhibition because of the incredible program we offer.
What are the participation criteria for artists and galleries looking to be part of the fair?
Artists and galleries interested in participating at World Art Dubai are required to formally apply via our official website, submitting their artworks and artist information for evaluation. This process involves a comprehensive review by both our sales and curation teams, assessing the artist's development over the years, the evolution of their technique and style, as well as the originality and recognition value of their works, ensuring a high standard of quality and diversity at the fair.
How do you envision the future editions of World Art Dubai?
We aim for World Art Dubai to become the leading art fair globally for emerging artists, leveraging Dubai's strategic location as a global crossroads accessible by a single flight from over 100 countries. Our vision is to establish World Art Dubai as the benchmark event for showcasing emerging talent, offering unparalleled opportunities for artists to connect with the international art community and market.
World Art Dubai - 10th edition from 2-5 May 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli