We are proud to announce our international component of the Thinking Cloud with a debate in London to coincide with Frieze week

‘Hot Property: what opportunities does the Gulf region offer to artists working today?

Investment in the visual arts in the Gulf region over the past five years has been an unprecedented phenomenon in cultural history. The varying strategies chosen by the different Emirates – Sharjah hosting the Sharjah Biennial for twenty years, with seventeen museums but no commercial galleries; Dubai, traditionally a trading hub, the site of Christies & Bonhams auctions, a vibrant commercial gallery scene and the first international art fair in the region; Abu Dhabi bringing world-class museums such as the Louvre & Guggenheim to its soil within the next ten years. Collecting and preserving Islamic heritage has been a priority in Qatar, where their Islamic Museum opens in November. Less liberal states such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been less vocal about promoting culture and yet Sheikh Majed has taken his Villa Moda concept throughout the region, and the exhibition ‘Edge of Arabia’ at SOAS this October shows the diversity of artwork being produced in the Kingdom.

The Gulf is home to a number of artists displaced from Iraqi, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. What opportunities are there for them and GCC Nationals now there is such a central focus on culture? Is there situation vastly improved? What is the international reaction to these newly recognised artists? Can they sit comfortably alongside global names in the contemporary art scene?

7pm
17 October 2008
The Photographers Gallery, 5 & 8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7HY
www.photonet.org.uk
+44 (0)20 7831 1772

Speakers will include:
Princess Reem Al Faisal, artist
Antonia Carver, Editor of Bidoun
John Martin, Director of Art Dubai
Stephen Stapleton, Director & Founder of Offscreen

To RSVP please send an email to thinkingclouddubai@gmail.com.

FIRST 20 EMAIL RSVPS RECEIVED TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS ABOVE WILL RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION

Standard admission charges of £5.00 / £3.50 will need to be paid on the door.

Founded by Laura Trelford & Sonia Brewin
The Thinking Cloud is a regular discussion forum on the visual arts which was launched in Dubai in September 2007.
Anyone with an active interest in cultural debate is welcome to attend.
Each session features an expose of an artist’s work in the UAE or wider Middle East and a topical debate is then chaired.

In 2007-8 debates were held at the DIFC in association with the British Museum; ADACH, Abu Dhabi; AUD & the Jam Jar.
Future debates will take place at the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Sharjah; Traffic, Dubai and Ayam Gallery, Dubai.

Former speakers for Thinking Clouds:
Haig Aivazian
Taha Al-Hiti
Dr Sami Al Masri
Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh
Mahita el Bacha Urieta
Lisa Ball-Lechgar
Sam Bardaouil
Nadim Karam
George Katyodrytis
Mohammed Kazem
Roberto Lopardo
Charles Merewether
Patricia Millns
Jack Persekian
Mark Pilkington
Venetia Porter
Faisal Samra
Hassan Sharif
Jochen Solkony
Isabelle Van Den Eynde