Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahayan (the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi) and organised by Zayed University in association with Salwa Zeidan, a leading exhibitor of contemporary art in the Emirate, and Zayed University, ADISS sought to further appreciation and understanding of art within Abu Dhabi. Through a series of lectures, workshops and interactive events, the artists gave the public an insight into the creative process and the technicalities of modern sculpting. By the end of his or her stay, each artist had to complete a piece of work to be placed in a prominent part of the city.
The initial call for artists required them to file three proposals for works inspired by the UAE and its history and culture and tied to the theme ‘Bridging Societies Through the Language of Art’. From over 500 applicants, 16 established artists were chosen and were joined by one rising talent. “We went through a list of more than 500 applicants from all over the world,” said Salwa Zeidan, founder of the Salwa Zeidan Gallery. She went on to explain the criteria for selection, “The artists had to have attended seven symposiums and to had to work within the contemporary field.”
Events such as workshops, lectures and desert trips with the artists evoked a communal feeling to the six-week program. Members of the public could watch the artists at work, talk to them about their profession and garner insights into the world of contemporary art. Often feeling more like a village art fair than an international symposium, the interactive nature of ADISS 2010 was a rare opportunity at getting up-close and personal with such international talents. The ADISS helped further affirm Abu Dhabi's position as a truly modern Arab city and a top destination for the arts in the Middle East.
WHAT Abu Dhabi International Sculpture Symposium
WHO Organised by Zayed University, Salwa Zeidan Gallery and attended by 17 international artists
WHEN From February 25th to April 7th, 2010
WHY By bringing sculpture to the attention of the public and undertaking an ambitious educational program, ADISS was another noteworthy cultural imitative by Abu Dhabi.
www.adiss-ae.com
