Increasing demand in region for Russian artists works, says Art Dubai’s International Director on eve of 11th edition

On the eve of the 11^th edition of the much awaited Art Dubai event set to open its doors to the public tomorrow, Aviamost met Art Dubai’s International Director Pablo del Val to know more about the presence of Russian artists and their works showcased at this year’s fair

Which Russian galleries are represented here from Russia?

We have four Russian galleries: Galerie Iragui, Pechersky, Artwin and a Belgium Gallery working only with Russian artists so that’s very exciting. And there’s a dialogue between Russian artists in our place and studios in Russia and galleries mainly dealing with Russian artists works from Brazilian to European market and it’s an exciting collaboration. And we have been doing it for the past three years.

How’s the exposition of the galleries?

It’s fantastic! There’s a Russian community here, so obviously there’s high demand…There are some very exciting galleries and projects this year. This year, many Russian galleries like Artwin are dealing with artists from Kazakstan and other CIS countries and they have very high quality work

How about from ex-Soviet countries?

And so they are dealing with works by artists from CIS countries like Kazakstan, Latvia, Georgia, Estonia and so on.

 So we have galleries from CIS nations?

We have never done scouting trip to these nations but suddenly from two years we are having enquiries about work from these nations. So we are opening geographical borders and getting closer to countries and developing really exciting art projects.

I want to make a trip to Moscow this year for the very first time and I want to open a dialogue and see the scene as I think it’s extremely important and there is a real interest in Dubai towards Russian art.

Next year I want to focus on Latin American. I am Spanish and have been living there so it’s closer.

It was Berlin all these years, but now everyone is looking to Dubai. As there is also a very important Russian community here, it helps.

And what can you say about Russian collectors?

I’m discovering why there is so much interest for Russian art here. We know there’s a Russian community here and some guys can do really well if there’s a community here. So more than just a dialogue it’s exciting to bring them here. We have an invited collectors program for the first time. So one of our ideas is to open it and invite major Russian partners to come where we are bringing major Russian artists

And the Visa on Arrival from February has helped?

With the VOA it’s become super easy to so it’s an amazing platform. And all the Russian Galleries are doing very well in Art Dubai.  

Art Dubai 2017

The eleventh edition of Art Dubai will open its doors to the public tomorrow. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the new leadership of Fair Director Myrna Ayad and International Director Pablo del Val, this year’s fair will be the largest and most international to date, with new galleries and countries participating for the first time, alongside ambitious new elements to the programming. 

Featuring 94 galleries from 43 countries, with 27 galleries attending for the first time, Art Dubai continues its mandate to offer unrivaled access to art from across the globe, reinforcing its position as the world’s most globally diverse art fair as well as the preeminent platform for the regional art scene.

This year, Art Dubai Contemporary will feature 79 galleries spread across its two gallery halls, including a selection of 30+ galleries focusing on solo or two-artist exhibitions. Art Dubai Modern, now in its fourth edition, continues to be the only platform dedicated to showcasing museum-quality works by Modern masters from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.