DUBAI: Taking place this year for the first time in Dubai’s DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center), the 14th Art Dubai fair opened on March 29 against the continuing backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Dubai, it seems, always finds a way to surprise its sceptics: Art Dubai is one of the first large-scale art fairs to take place outside of the virtual realm. Its success will indicate the strength of the market during these continually trying times.
As with other events now underway in the UAE, fair organizers have banked on the UAE’s high vaccination rate, with more than 50 percent of the population now vaccinated, a number second only to Israel, as ground to hold host the annual event for collectors and art enthusiasts that have, just like in previous years, flown in from around the world.