Dubai: Twenty-four UAE-based artists have been selected for the second edition of Sikka, the contemporary art fair that showcases local talent.
The artists were selected based on original content, said Antonia Carver, Fair Director of Art Dubai and member of the Sikka 2012 Selection Committee on Monday.
She told Gulf News: "The emphasis was on fresh ideas. We also looked at projects that fit with the unique architecture of Al Bastakiya. Any fair that commissions new work is important for artists who struggle to find a platform and get funds to produce work that is of high calibre."
The selected artists from 100 submissions have integrated the country's cultural aspects through a range of visual art mediums from video art to sculpture and installation.
These will be housed at various sections of Al Bastakiya — the venue of the event that is part of Art Week, the umbrella initiative that includes contemporary art and design events, museum shows, gallery exhibitions, and artists' projects.
Salem Belyouha, projects and events director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority that organises Sikka, told Gulf News the fair is a platform for upcoming artists to showcase their skills.
‘Free ECG readings'
"Through Sikka we hope to educate and interact with the community. We have educational sessions, and 100 per cent commissioned artwork. This fair isn't a commercial venture; it is to showcase talent."
Emirati artist Khawla Darwish has translated the loss of a family member due to cardiovascular disease through her installation project ‘Language of the Heart'.
Speaking to Gulf News, the former artist-in-residence at Ductac said, "Since 2008, I have been working on a series of artworks inspired by my younger brother who passed away due to a heart problem.
"My project has an ECG [electrocardiography] unit so people can get free ECG readings in an art environment, but will be pushed to visit a cardiologist to know the results."
Bosnian artist Zlatan Filipovi, who specialises in video art and digital technology, said he wanted to use the architectural setting of Al Bastakiya juxtaposed against the history of Dubai Creek. He told Gulf News: "In my project Tapestry of the Bastakiya, I use visual and sound elements of the Creek capturing its history and development."
Dutch conceptual artist Martin Pakvis said he specialises in site-specific mixed media installation. "It is a spatial diary," he said of his project ‘Peak Oil'. "It has an environmental theme with oil, thinner and Styrofoam."
The artists
Mariam Abbas; Mohammad Abualqussam; Shamma Al Amri; Firas Audeh; Mona Ayyash; Khalif Al Banna; Isak Berbic; Nada Dada; Khowla Darwish; Nargis Dhirani; Zlatan Filipovi; Mohammad Hindash; Rania Jishi; Abdul Rauof Khalfan; Alia Lootah; Farah Nasri; Martin Pakvis; Atul Panase; Maisoon Al Saleh; Yusra Saleh; UBIK; Sinisa Vlajkovi; and Lantian Xie.
