SIKKA Art Fair 2013

SIKKA* Art Fair is an artist-led fair of commissioned work located in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (formally known as Bastakiya). 

SIKKA was founded by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and has been running since 2011. Its aim is to support home-grown creativity and showcase artistic talent based in the United Arab Emirates.

This year’s edition is on from 14th-24th March and will include over 70 UAE-based artists and 14 multidisciplinary initiatives and collectives, plus an array of special projects, workshops, panel discussions, artist led walks, live music, performances and film screenings.  

The fair has been growing year on year, and I'm happy to say that I am taking part this year (a separate post about my project is coming up right after this post).  

The complete line up of artists and projects, plus the SIKKA 2013 Programme and workshops can be found on SIKKA's website. I strongly urge you have a look and block some time in your calendar for this fair. 

The opening night is on Thursday, 14th March from 6.00pm till midnight. It will be a fun night to meander through Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood to check out all the work in the lovely houses. There will be food and drinks, musical performances and an overall good vibe. 

If you've never been to SIKKA or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, here's a clip from last year's SIKKA to give you an a feel of what to expect.

Fair timings:

Thursday 14 March 18:00 – 00:00
Friday   15 March 16:00 – 00:00
Saturday 16 March 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday   17 March 14:00 – 22:00
Monday   18 March 14:00 – 22:00
Tuesday  19 March 14:00 – 22:00
Wednesday20 March 14:00 – 22:00
Thursday 21 March 14:00 – 00:00
Friday   22 March 16:00 – 00:00
Saturday 23 March 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday   24 March 18:00 – 00:00

www.sikka.ae

* SIKKA draws its name from the alleyways between the historic houses of Dubai, and serves as a metaphor that befits the young and upcoming artists who seek to establish their creative and professional paths through their participation in the fair. 

Sikka Art Fair 2012

We are a few days away from a busy schedule of art and cultural activites happening across Dubai. Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. You can see the complete list of events on www.artweek.ae and over the next few days I will highlight some of the events and exhibitions that I'm looking forward to.

First up, is the return of the Sikka Art Fair in Bastakiya which will run from 15th-25th March. This year's edition will feature an entirely commissioned programme of new work by artists living in the United Arab Emirates, plus an open-studio exhibition from the Artists-in-Residence (A.i.R) Dubai (a partnership between Delfina Foundation and Dubai Culture, Art Dubai, and Tashkeel).

Bastakiya is one of my favourite parts in Dubai and it truly comes to life during this fair. All the houses will be open to showcase new art, there will also be an education programme, talks, music and film screenings.

Make sure you don't miss this fair. You can see the complete Sikka 2012 program here.

© Hind Mezaina

Event Details
Dates and timings:
15th March -  5.00pm-10.00pm
16th March -  4.00pm-10.00pm
17th March - 11.00am-10.00pm
18th-21st March - 12.00pm-7.00pm
22nd March - 12.00pm-10.00pm
23rd March -  4.00pm-10.00pm
24th March - 11.00am-10.00pm
25th March -  4.00pm-10.00pm

Program - Full program can be seen here.

Free entry

www.sikka.ae
www.twitter.com/sikkaartfair
www.facebook.com/SikkaArtFair

Exhibition - Archive80

Archive80 is a new creative project and exhibition celebrating growing up in the United Arab Emirates during the 1980s. The show opens today and will run till 29th April. 

Inspired by childhood memories of the 1980s, Alia Al Shamsi - the curator of the project wants to share a common love of the 1980s that can be recognised regardless where you are from. 

I'm happy to say that I was invited to take part in this exhibition, along with,  
Aida Al Busaidy - Alaa Edris - Alia Lootah - Fatma Bujsaim - Hala Al Fawwaz - Hamda Al Hashemi - Hedaya Al Rahma - Iman Ben Chaibah - Khawla Al Marri - Leila Al Marashi - Maitha Darwish - Mohammed Al Junaibi - Mohammed Kazim - Noor Al Suwaidi - Reem Abdalla - Rooda Al Naema - Shaima Al Tamimi

Do come along and show your love to the '80s. 

Exhibitions details
Date: Opening, 19th April 6.30pm - 9.30pm and will run till 29th April
Location: Dar Ibn Haytham, Bastakiyah, House no. 17, Dubai 
Phone: +971 4 353 5321


www.twitter.com/Archive80 
www.daribn-alhaytham.com 
www.aliaalshamsi.blogspot.com

Sikka Art Fair

© Hind Mezaina

Sikka Art Fair located in Bastakiya opened yesterday and will run till 21st March 2011. It's what you would call a 'fringe' art fair that will run parallel to Art Dubai which starts on 16th March 2011.

Initiated by Dubai Culture, Sikka Art Fair will feature artworks by UAE based artists, galleries and institutions - it aims to foster and promote Emirati artistic content creation and establish a platform for these artists to present their works to a wider audience. In addition to the exhibited art, the fair includes a public programme of talks, workshops and tours.  Every evening will see an inspiring program of music, theatre and poetry performances.

The word 'sikka' means alleyway and you can still see "Sikka" signs in the old parts of Dubai. Bastakiya is a lovely location to hold this fair as you can wander along the alleyways and windtower houses to discover discover some interesting art that includes installations, video, paintings and photography. (Yours truly is exhibiting a small selection of Polaroids in one of the rooms in House number 16, so if you do go to the fair, please do check it out.)

Bastakiya (image provided by Dubai Culture)
The houses exhibiting the art are open till 7pm and you can enjoy the 'After Dark' programme every night between 7-8pm which will include music, theatre and poetry. Entry to the fair, workshops, tours and the After Dark sessions are free, you can see the full line of the Sikka Art Fair here.

When it gets dark, the alleyways are lit by these great looking light cubes designed by Sven Mueller. 

If you are in Dubai, hope you can make the time to go to this fair and enjoy this small and special part of town.

Event details
Sikka Art Fair dates: 12th - 21st March, 10am-8pm. Free entry. 
Art in the City has the detailed list of talks, workshops and After Dark programme.
You can follow Sikka Art Fair on Twitter (@SikkaArtFair). 

Bastakiya Art Fair 2010

Alfred Tarazi You're young and you'll forget, mixed media on paper, 2009.
Today is the first day of the Bastakiya Art Fair (BAF) -  a fringe art fair focusing on promoting emerging Middle Eastern contemporary art that coincides annually with Art Dubai, opening later this week.

Running between 15th-21st March, the week will include individual participants, galleries and internationally-acclaimed curators. The programme of events includes daily exhibitions, movie screenings, book readings, performance art and a series of brunch talks curated by Rose Issa.

Click to read more ...

Dibs and Dips – a new bakery in town

Dibs & Dips is an upcoming Emirati bakery that will serve traditional sweets and pastry based on recipes from here and the rest of the Arabian Gulf.

An idea developed by Zeinab Al Hashemi, Dibs and Dips will give a new twist to something old and also create an awareness to the Emirati culture through food. 

Click to read more ...

Susy's World - I am not an artist, I simply doodle

The Sad Bat Position

Art Connection, a gallery based in Bastakiya will showcase an artist every Saturday night by displaying his/her work, it is an initiative that aims to encourage upcoming artists to use the venue for the night as a launch pad to expose their work to the art community and media, all in a very relaxed and social setting.

Click to read more ...