House of Arts Opens at Expo City Dubai as New Cultural Hub
The House of Arts, a newly established cultural hub aimed at supporting UAE and Gulf artists, has launched at Expo City Dubai within the former Morocco Pavilion. This venue, reimagined in a Gulf Arab aesthetic, offers exhibition areas, workshops, residency initiatives, and hosts the Firdaus Orchestra, comprised of 52 female musicians. Its first exhibition, titled 'Interwoven,' highlights the works of 18 artists and emphasizes the Bedouin textile heritage of Sadu. Featured works include a plexiglass carpet by Sara Alkhayyal and a homage to her grandfather by Ghada Khunji. The opening aligns with the Dhai Dubai Light Art Festival, showcasing new works under the theme 'Light Influences Life.' The House of Arts is integral to Expo City Dubai's cultural vision, which will also encompass the upcoming Dubai Museum of Art.
Key facts
- House of Arts opened at Expo City Dubai after the second edition of Dhai Dubai Light Art Festival.
- The center promotes artists from UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
- Inaugural exhibition 'Interwoven' features 18 artists in 14 rooms over seven floors.
- Exhibition focuses on Sadu, a Bedouin textile tradition.
- Notable artist Sara Alkhayyal shows a deconstructed plexiglass carpet.
- Ghada Khunji's work, previously at 2019 Venice Biennale, honors her pearl-merchant grandfather.
- House of Arts houses the Firdaus Orchestra, an all-female ensemble of 52 musicians.
- Dhai Dubai Light Art Festival presented seven new commissions on theme 'Light Influences Life'.
- Fatma Lootah created a piece inside Al Wasl Plaza dome inspired by a Quranic verse.
- Future Dubai Museum of Art by Tadao Ando is planned at Dubai Creek.
- Expo City Dubai is part of Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
- Amna Abulhoul is Executive Creative Director and co-curator of Dhai Dubai.
- Dubai World Central airport is expanding to become world's largest in 10 years.
Entities
Artists
- Sara Alkhayyal
- Ghada Khunji
- Fatma Lootah
- Mohammed Kazem
- Khalid Al Banna
- Alia Bin Omair
- AlZaina Lootah
- Ahmed AlAreef
- Hessa Alghandi
- Tadao Ando
- Amna Abulhoul
Institutions
- House of Arts
- Expo City Dubai
- Dhai Dubai Light Art Festival
- Firdaus Orchestra
- Al Wasl Plaza
- Dubai Museum of Art
- Biennale di Venezia
- Manar Abu Dhabi
- Artribune
Locations
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Expo City Dubai
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Saudi Arabia
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Al Ain
- Dubai Creek
- Dubai Marina
- Dubai downtown
- Dubai World Central
- Verona
- Italy
- Japan