From 17 to 24 November, Alserkal Avenue presents Alserkal Art Week 2024, uniting art enthusiasts under the theme Acts of Presence. This transformative event features select exhibitions, public art and engaging conversations that explore resilience, memory and connection in a fractured world.
Must-See Highlights
Made Present: Biographies of Artworks Defying the Ongoing Nakba
Opening 17 November at 7:30 PM, this exhibition rewrites the narrative of Palestinian art. Curated by Faris Shomali and Zaina Zarour, it showcases works by artists like Mustafa Al-Hallaj, whose art embodies resistance amidst displacement. A poignant exploration of creativity as defiance.
Contours of Belonging
Running from 17–30 November at Firetti Contemporary, this collective exhibition brings together three female artists: Negin Fallah, Mai Al Remeithi and Annie Kurkdjian. The trio explores cultural heritage, personal memory and emotional landscapes through unique artistic lenses.
Kurkdjian’s work, shaped by her experiences of war in Lebanon, confronts trauma with a raw, visceral energy. Her grotesque yet poignant portraits embody resilience, challenging viewers to face the human cost of conflict. “Art is capable of sublimating everything, war, crime, shame, sickness and total hell,” she tells MOJEH, emphasising the transformative power of creative expression. Together with Fallah’s modern reinterpretations of Iranian art and Al Remeithi’s minimalist meditations on UAE architecture, the exhibition forms a tapestry of identity and survival.
The Land and I by Nabil Anani
Renowned Palestinian artist Nabil Anani presents The Land and I at Zawyeh Gallery, Dubai, until 12 January 2025. Through landscapes crafted with natural materials like leather, henna, dried herbs and spices, Anani envisions a free Palestine, unmarked by barriers or occupation.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Anani tells MOJEH: “I inherited my love for the land from my father during my childhood in the town of Halhul, north of Hebron. From the beginning of my artistic journey, I have been passionate about painting the beauty of rural life and the breathtaking landscapes of Palestine.”
During the First Intifada, Anani co-founded New Visions, an art collective focused on using local materials in response to a boycott of Israeli goods. His works today continue this legacy, celebrating the resilience and identity of the Palestinian people while reimagining a future of freedom and beauty.
Exploring Alserkal Avenue’s Public Art and Conversations
Alserkal Art Week 2024 transforms the Avenue into a vibrant platform for storytelling, resilience and artistic exploration.
Abbas Akhavan’s Stock: Variation on a Fountain combines marble and stone to create a serene installation inspired by Alserkal’s industrial history. The work invites visitors to linger, reflecting on themes of continuity and calm.
In Dima Srouji’s This Is Not Your Grave, fragments of everyday objects like bathtubs and staircases evoke resilience and shelter, transforming symbols of domesticity into spaces for reflection on survival.
Vikram Divecha’s Roof/Structures speaks to migration and adaptability. Created with scaffolding workers using recycled materials, these improvised roofs highlight the interplay between aspiration and impermanence.
Majlis Talks on 17 November feature cultural leaders from across Africa. Multidisciplinary artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo addresses historical legacies through art, while textile artist Johanna Bramble intertwines tradition and innovation in her weaving. Thania Petersen, meanwhile, reimagines public art by turning Cape Town’s minibus taxis into traveling galleries.
Creative Spaces in Action
On 24 November, Open Studios offers a glimpse into the creative processes of Alserkal’s resident artists, including filmmaker Pallavi Paul and sound artist Jad Saliba. Earlier in the week, Domestic Departures (23 November) explores themes of resilience and movement through immersive installations and experimental practices.
Why Attend?
Alserkal Art Week invites visitors to explore profound stories through public art, conversations, and creative interactions—creating moments of connection and insight.
For more information, visit Alserkal Avenue’s website.
