World Art Dubai to take place in October: affordable pieces, live activations and performances

The art fair will take place from October 8 to 10, bringing together creations from galleries and solo artists around the world

Visitors looking at the art works which are on display at World Art Dubai 2019, held at Dubai World Trade Centre. Pawan Singh / The National 

Whether you’re looking to get your hands on a limited-edition artwork or customise some accessories, there’s a lot to be excited about as the 2020 World Art Dubai festival prepares to kick off.

The art fair will be held from Thursday, October 8 to Saturday, October 10 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, giving guests access to contemporary art from all over the world.

The sixth World Art Dubai will feature more than 3,000 pieces, from emerging Emirati artists to fashion art “disrupters” to experimental expressionists and photographers. In line with the affordable ethos, price points will remain varied, with artwork ranging from $100 (Dh367) onwards.

Visitors at this year’s event will also have live activations, art performances and curated talks to look forward to.

There will be an Art Fashion Show, where selected artists will present pieces on a runway, while Creativity Unmasked will feature artwork from exhibitors that reflect their personal experiences of the pandemic. Meanwhile Art for Every Wall will give people the chance to pick up pieces for less than Dh3,000.

Guests will also have the opportunity to customise their outfits with the help of multi-disciplinary artist Ella Elenzano Orencillo, who will be transforming everything from bags to shoes at the Artify Station. Or they can dance their worries away at an African dance workshop, to take place daily from 6pm to 7pm during the event.

The 2020 fair will have a focus on street art. World Art Dubai will have 10 artists from Vandalist Art’s gallery who will paint live graffiti and screen printing on the show floor. Vandalist Art, which was awarded Best Gallery at World Art Dubai 2019, will also feature street art and urban art canvases for sale.

Additionally, Casa de Maquinas, the collective of bikers, artists and skaters, with roots in motorcycling and street culture, will feature live motorcycle tank painting and leather gloves and helmet painting at the show.

This year's event will have safety guidelines in line with the rules and regulations laid out by government authorities. The venue, Dubai World Trade Centre, has been certified with the Bureau Veritas SafeGuard label. There will be temperature screenings, sanitiser disposers at multiple locations, real-time monitoring of crowd density and contactless registration.

World Art Dubai has also partnered with fynd.art to provide visitors with a contactless experience. Visitors will be able to find more information about artwork exhibited, artists and galleries by scanning an art piece with their mobile phone.

Tickets for World Art Dubai 2020 start at Dh20 for adults and is available through Platinum List. More information can be found here.