Our latest collaboration with an important cultural entity, Alserkal, continues in the spirit of Expo 2020 Dubai: Swatch has been showcasing artwork by 10 of its former Swatch Art Peace Hotel residents at a special anniversary exhibition that is now open and set to run until the end of March 2022. Created 10 years ago in Shanghai, the “hotel” was envisioned as a space for artists to develop their creative expression. In celebration of its first decade, this not-to-miss exhibition is in its final days in Dubai, following Swatch’s role as the Official Timing Provider for Expo 2020 Dubai.
Discover these 10 artists as eclectic as Expo 2020 itself before it’s too late: Alec Von Bargen, a visual artist from the USA; Benedikt Partenheimer, a photographer from Germany; Donal Turner, a French artist and illustrator who has created a special diary about the Swatch Art Peace Hotel; Jordi Fornies, a Spanish visual artist, musician and composer based in Singapore; Katharina Lehmann from Russia, a visual artist based in Germany; Lei Lei of China, an experimental animation artist; Mujin of China, an independent film director and video artist; Ouma, a Japanese visual artist; Sarah Song, a new media artist and “techspressionist” based in Hong Kong and Shanghai; and Julian Palacz, a digital and conceptual artist based in Austria. The exhibition features diverse pieces, ranging from large-scale installations to curated illustrations.
Enhancing Swatch’s presence at Expo 2020 Dubai and the link with Alserkal Avenue arts district, five local UAE artists were selected to design artworks for the Swatch X You customization platform:
Ebtisam Abdulaziz, a multidisciplinary artist and writer whose design “United Insights” represents her celebration of the UAE’s golden jubilee.
Khalid Mezaina, an illustrator and textile artist whose digital illustration “Doors” is inspired by the intricate patterns found on the metal doors of traditional UAE homes.
Noor Al-Suwaidi, who has created an abstract depiction of how we find love in places, people and nature with “Always Time for Love”.
Diaa Allam, a calligrapher, muralist and live art performer whose artwork “This Time Shall Pass” is a timeless reminder that even unprecedented events will come to an end.
Khalid Al Banna, a textile artist who adopts elements of Islamic art and geometry in “Dynamic of Motion” in order to convey the relationship between Emirati culture and Islam.
CALLING ALL UAE ARTISTS!
As part of their commitment to the UAE, Swatch are encouraging artists from the UAE to apply for an artist residency at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel. Any artist from the UAE will be considered to work on and develop their artistic vision. Artists can apply through the link below.
Apply Now | Swatch Art Peace Hotel (swatch-art-peace-hotel.com)
ABOUT SWATCH ART PEACE HOTEL
Swatch Art Peace Hotel is a project that is open to all creative minds, conceived to offer artists the space and time they need to express themselves freely, develop their projects, learn about new cultures, converse with new realities, and meet other artists.
A workshop, accommodation, and common spaces are made available to the 18 talented artists who are awarded a residency at the same time. The historical building that hosts the program overlooks the Bund, in the throbbing heart of Shanghai, a city that is an inexhaustible source of energy and creative stimuli. Since its opening in 2011, the hotel has housed in more than 420 artists from 54 countries.
ABOUT ALSERKAL
Alserkal Advisory, part of the Alserkal cultural enterprise founded by Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, develops cultural projects and establishes spaces for polyphonic voices through a thoughtful, research-informed approach to crafting audience-specific cultural programmes and environments.
ALSERKAL ART WEEK
Alserkal Art Week is finally here! This celebration of contemporary art is focused on the Alserkal Avenue cultural district.
Running from March 3–13, 2022, Alserkal Art Week celebrates contemporary art with a lineup that includes some of the most important experimental artists of the moment. The 20+ exhibitions on display in Alserkal Avenue include Dubai’s first ambisonic sound exhibition presented by the Alserkal Arts Foundation in concrete.