Art Dubai Modern 2023 – Talks

Mouna Mekouar and Lorenzo Giusti imagine a series of talks, lectures and round table discussions to provide an overview of modern art in the territories of North Africa, Middle East and South Asia by considering the question of art training, production, and reception of works. Looking critically at the history and historiography of mid-20th-century abstraction, the conversations rethink art-historical canons and expand the discourse around global modernisms. How can we write a narrative which focuses on the connections and interconnections between people and cities from Casablanca to Beirut, from Damascus to Lahore and New Delhi ? How do we approach and include in today’s museums modern art through the prism of the 21st century ?

March 2nd, 5:00-6:00pm

ABSTRACTION AND FIGURATION: LOOKING TO SHAPES
Dr. Nada Shabout, Salwa Mikdadi, Ridha Moumni
By critically reviewing the history of pictorial abstraction around the middle of the 20th century, the conversation intends to reflect on the canons of artistic modernity, creating a bridge between past and present and reconsidering the theme of figuration in the light of experiences in the MENASA countries.

March 3rd, 3:00-4:00pm

MODERN ART AND MUSEUMS
Karina El Helou, Nathalie Bondil, Nada Shabout, Devika Singh, Ridha Moumni
The conversation aims to reflect on possible ways to include and present modern art from MENASA countries in international museums and how to preserve the region’s heritage in the light of global market interest.

March 4th, 5:00-6:00pm

GEOGRAPHIES OF LAND AND FACES IN MARWAN’S WORLD: THEIR DECONSTRUCTION AND REANIMATION
Andrée Sfeir-Semler, Rafia Koudmani, Azza Munif, Hala Khayat
Pioneering artist MARWAN Kassab Bachi left his mark on the contemporary art scene, with his work celebrated in both Eastern and Western contexts. He influenced an entire generation of young artists, and this panel will shed light on a lifetime of stories, friendships, inspirations, and the rich body of work that makes up his legacy.