At the Art Basel Paris in October, speculation ignited regarding Art Basel's potential expansion into the United Arab Emirates, particularly with the Abu Dhabi Art (ADA) fair. Reports indicate that the Swiss parent company MCH could receive €20 million from Abu Dhabi for this venture, suggesting a strategic partnership rather than an outright acquisition.
This speculation has fueled discussions among the approximately one hundred exhibitors at the recently opened 16th edition of ADA. While the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) refrains from commenting on rumors, Dyala Nusseibeh, the artistic director of the fair since 2016, emphasizes that the situation remains speculative.
Founded in 2007, the first editions of ADA took place at the luxurious Emirates Palace hotel, featuring major galleries like White Cube and Gagosian and high-value works by artists such as Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol. Initially, purchases were primarily made by the ruling family, and the local collector scene was minimal.
Over the years, the fair has evolved, now held at the Manarat Al Saadiyat cultural center, a short walk from the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The focus has shifted towards regional art, catering to a growing middle class interested in art, with few works exceeding the million-euro mark.
Nusseibeh highlights that the fair's role differs from that in Europe, emphasizing 'knowledge production' and the 'broader creative industry' as integral to the post-oil economy. Unlike Art Basel, ADA is backed by a governmental entity, allowing it to incorporate exhibitions and research-based projects into its framework.
This year, special exhibitions such as 'Craft as Language' and 'Modern Art and Decolonization: Paris 1908-1988' feature around 50 works from the Farjam Collection, showcasing Arab artists who lived in Paris.
The fair aims to strengthen cultural identity in alignment with Abu Dhabi's political strategies, increasingly orienting towards Asia while the participation of Western galleries declines. This raises questions about the rationale behind Abu Dhabi investing millions in Art Basel's entry.
While this move may parallel past efforts to attract renowned Western brands for the planned museums, the current context is markedly different. The Louvre Abu Dhabi attracted approximately 1.2 million visitors in 2023, and upcoming institutions like the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi are set to open, positioning the emirate as a leading cultural hub in the region.
However, concerns arise about whether such a partnership would dilute the fair's unique regional focus. The 'Gateway' section of this year's fair highlights deep connections between Arab and Latin American cultures, featuring artists like Mandy El-Sayegh, who addresses themes of transnational solidarity.
Local galleries and curators largely agree that collaboration with Art Basel could positively impact the regional art scene. Nusseibeh envisions a partnership akin to that with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, where DCT and the Guggenheim Foundation are equal partners.
As the opening night of the first Public Art Biennale in Abu Dhabi unfolds, rumors circulate that a contract between MCH and DCT may soon be signed, further igniting interest in the future of ADA and its role in the global art landscape.