It's a familiar story in cities worldwide: artists move into rundown areas for the cheap rents, which begins a process of regeneration and—to use a dirtier word—gentrification.
Dubai doesn't need any help with either of those things. I mean, why would it need artists to help regenerate areas of the city when it can simply build the living daylights out of anything that isn't already spectacular?
But anyone who loves art and its effect on a place ought to be pleased by Dubai's art scene. Like in other cities, it's a grass-roots movement rather than an installation from above.
Dubai's Al Quoz district started blossoming as an artistic haven around the same time as East London and Brooklyn, New York City. Like those hubs of creativity, Al Quoz is a formerly rundown area that still looks like an industrial no-man's land.
Old factories and warehouses, which have barely changed in appearance on the outside, are now home to art galleries and studios – the basis of the Middle East's groovy new arts scene.
Traveling down its streets, there are vantages where you could confuse Al Quoz for the industrial zones of London and Brooklyn, where young artists have migrated in search of cheap rent and studio space. It looks, feels, and mostly is a world away from the glitz and hubris of central Dubai.
The nucleus of the Middle East's avant-garde is the Third Line gallery, an ultra-modernist white cube where the UAE meets the west coast of the USA.
From the outside, you could be staring at a piece of California pop art—a scene from Ruscha, Hopper, or early Hockney. However, inside, a Western template is given over to support mostly up-and-coming and established artists from the Middle East.
Step into the Third Line on any given day, and you could be treated to an exhibition or a talk by one of the region's many accomplished artists and a bookshop supporting its growing body of fantastic contemporary art.
Make no mistake, Dubai isn't a pale imitation of a Western gallery. It holds its own on the international stage, as do the many other relatively new galleries in Al Quoz. Middle Eastern artists are increasingly breaking into the global art scene, and the world appears to be taking notice.
Attend one of the private views or exhibition openings in Al Quoz. You won't just find Arabian art dealers scouting for pieces from the local talent. You'll hear art connoisseurs from London, New York, and Paris come to see what Dubai has to offer. And, like me, they're usually very impressed.
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T-roy says
This might be the dumbest article I have read yet on Dubai. "Dubai’s Al Quoz district started blossoming as an artistic haven around the same time as East London and Brooklyn, New York City." yeah and Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and Big Foot are real to! lol
Lucy says
I have read other articles about the art galleries at Dubai's Al Quoz district! Namely I remember there was on on nytimes earlier this year...
I don't know why you find this so funny but I do know that you as a blogger should at least know the difference between 'to' and 'too' and spell the word accordingly in the right context ... :) LOL
Dave says
Hi Lucy, this must be the NY Times article you're referring to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/arts/art-scene-takes-wing-in-dubai.html?_r=0
T-roy says
Lucy, "Namely I remember there was on on nytimes earlier this year..." if your going to call someone out on spelling you'd think you'd double check yourself (but that's par for the course in what I was saying before).
I'll assume you wrote the article and is why you're commenting/provoking to justify it. East London and NYC were art centers WAY before anyone even knew that the UAE had a flag (think pre1920's). So yes, that is the dumbest thing I have read on Dubai and as you say "so funny". Al Quoz is like 18b Las Vegas Arts District in downtown Vegas. Sure lots of art there but is a no-name compared to NYC, London, San Fransisco, Hong Kong exc. The article would of been ok but the writer was trying to compare Dubai to places like that, which pretty much means it's a load of bs.
It's obvious that the sponsored post is exactly what it is... a sponsored post. Especially when the only photo posted is of graffiti on some random street wall. Please forgive any typos if you find any :)
Lucy says
“you’d think you’d double check yourself (but that’s par for the course in what I was saying before). ” …. LOL what does “that’s par for the course in what…” MEAN???
btw i never claimed to be neither a blogger nor a writer so i can make as many mistakes as i like! yes that’s right!
Honey it looks like i hurt your feelings! oh no!! I am sooo sorry…. but you’d think that someone who throws dirt to his fellow bloggers and is no shy to use so harsh words, playing it detective when there is 100% transparency on what the post is about…. you would at least be open-minded to take some criticism yourself… apparently i was wrong you are neither cool nor nice. :)
i guess this is your strategy to attract more readers onto your blog.. you genius!
T-roy says
Lucy, my feelings aren't hurt, claim anything you like... still doesn't change what I thought about the article. If that makes me "neither cool nor nice" so be (Side Note: how AWESOME that you thought I was cool or nice at some point, so cute). I commented because I read this website regularly and know Dubai well enough (spent 4+ years going in-and-out), that's all. I didn't comment to gain traffic, that's so 2004 but at least I'm commenting and giving full transparency on who I am and not using a generic name/no avatar.
If you don't know what slang is, try Google... it's free, you do know what free is? While you're at it, also try researching a tad bit more and maybe, just maybe you'll learn something.
"btw I never claimed to be neither a blogger nor a writer so I can make as many mistakes as I like! yes that’s right!" Fair enough (eyes rolling) but as long as you keep posting replies I will as well (at this point it's just entertaining). The owner of GB.com knows me, noting but love for him but it's obvious he didn't write this and whoever did poorly researched and wrote it. So this isn't about putting down "fellow bloggers" as it's about putting down this crap article. And as always, here is your complimentary smile face :) Kisses
Dave says
Let's leave it at this, please, or I'll turn off comments for the post.
Thanks
Lucy says
no worries... :)
Cat Dunn says
OMG this guy is complete jackass!
Cat says
The local Dubai art scene is flourishing in the Al Quoz area and because this area is industrial and does not hold the usual Dubai glamour, I think the comparison made here is fair and accurate!
It is a very interesting area to visit with big (empty sometimes) warehouses and many - MANY galleries.
Pinay Flying High says
"Trawling down its streets, there are vantages where you could confuse Al Quoz for the industrial zones of London and Brooklyn, where young artists have migrated in search of cheap rent and studio space."
That part right there actually made me laugh a little. It sounds a little too ambitious, well it is about Dubai after all. I've lived in this city for 6 years now and I definitely wouldn't confuse Al Quoz to East London which is the haven for artists in that side of the world (I haven't been to Brooklyn yet so I'm not so sure of that). Yes, Al Quoz has now becoming an artistic hub in Dubai (along with DIFC and Bastakiya) but I wouldn't say that it has already marked itself as to being at par with London and Brooklyn when it comes to the art scene. I'm not saying that it will never be but it might take some more time to reach to that level. It is not impossible though.
I also don't think young artists have migrated in that part of town in search of cheap studios and rent. Maybe I'm wrong but whenever I find myself in that area, it's mostly labour camps and company accommodations. No signs of artists hanging out on the streets of Al Quoz.
Emirati chick says
Okay, first of all ... This whole article is weird!
“Trawling down its streets, there are vantages where you could confuse Al Quoz for the industrial zones of London and Brooklyn, where young artists have migrated in search of cheap rent and studio space.” - I'll second Pinay Flying High, it does all sound a lil too "posh"!!
I live in this area called Al Barsha, which is literally just a street away from what is known as Al Quoz... Mind you, this entire area isn't all just labour camps and "west coast customs" garages! it's all segregated into a ton of different sectors... However, this doesn't mean you'll find your everyday artist or any artist for that matter along those streets in warehouses displaying their talent.... Unless someone is sponsoring you to do so!
Rent is not all that cheap and most of us down here ( the common folk that makes up about 90% of the population) don't really gives a rats ass about the art scene anyway, no matter how much it's advertised.
The only people who seem to be interested in the art culture here are either Locals who are extremely well to do and have nothing but time on their hands to attend stuff like this and waste their money on sometimes what it just splats of paint... Or, the rich and famous ( for obvious reason - spotlight time,, :D )
Anyway, point being... This whole article is bullocks! :)
Vikram says
Thanks for sharing this information
“Trawling down its streets, there are vantages where you could confuse Al Quoz for the industrial zones of London and Brooklyn, where young artists have migrated in search of cheap rent and studio space.” – I’ll second Pinay Flying High, it does all sound a lil too “posh”!!
Collin says
'Make no mistake, Dubai isn’t a pale imitation of a western gallery.' that's good, right?!
Nice article about the emerging art scene in Dubai... i am visiting it next week and I can't wait to stroll the streets you mention :)
Edward says
Wow. There is no doubt that Dubai is the most awesome place to visit in Asia and now a days cheaper too. Great post man.