Kampala-Baku
Both Kampala and Baku had dynamic art scenes between the 1960s and 1980s. Linking these two cities—and more generally, East Europe and East Africa—are the many art students and intellectuals who worked across these regions, absorbing and translating images, objects, and sounds from one context to another. This conversation brings these historical and present-day art worlds into focus, with experts who can speak to the challenges and opportunities of recovering lost histories and working in today’s global art market.
Cairo-Moscow
This talk shifts attention from Western institutions and their influence on modern art in the Arab World, focusing instead on overlooked yet impactful artistic and political connections between this culturally diverse region and the Soviet Union.
Almaty-Colombo
Though Central Asia and South Asia may seem to exist in different cultural and geographical hemispheres, artists working in these regions also had shared experiences in the late twentieth century: the rise of nationalisms, civil unrest, an interest in recovering native languages and art practices, and a desire to connect with a nascent global art world. For this talk, specialists in art from Central Asia and South Asia come together to highlight these parallel histories.
Collecting Beyond Borders: Dynamics and Diversity in Art Collection Practices Across the Global South
The talk uncovers the multifaceted stories of collectors who navigate the intersection of local and global, grappling with questions of identity, representation and cultural heritage – shining a light on diverse voices that make up the global artistic landscape. This conversation also examines the role these collectors play in shaping the perception of art from emerging cultural epicentres on the international stage.
Beyond the Private Vault: The Evolution of Collecting
The conversation unpacks the trajectory from private collecting towards institutional legacy in the Middle East and South Asia with patrons who have established their mark in private collecting and shifted their focus towards institution building. This panel aims to address the arising question: what happens to personal collecting efforts in light of this focus shift, in geographical regions where there is still more room for both?
Harmony in Patronage: Nurturing Art Ecosystems
An exploration into the intricate relationships between arts patrons and arts organisations that delves into the crucial role these patrons play in sustaining and enriching vibrant ecosystems of artistic expression. Examining how collaboration helps establish support systems for the production and dissemination of art, and drawing on contemporary case studies, this conversation uncovers the various dimensions of these dynamic partnerships from a regional perspective.
On Creating: Afra Al Dhaheri
Introducing 'On Creating,' a new series of conversations with artists that have transformed the UAE's cultural landscape and contribute to the essence of the Dubai Collection.