The highest number of visitors and responses ever! “World Art Dubai 2022” will be held in Dubai

2022/3/16 (Wed) — 19 (Sat) in Dubai, United Arab EmiratesWorld Art Dubai 2022was held.
These two years have been at the mercy of the spread of the novel coronavirus, both in our daily lives and in the art market. At this year's event, which had an almost complete recovery from global turmoil, the number of visitors surpassed before the spread of the infection, and recorded the highest number of visitors in history.

World Art Dubai 2022
‍Period: 2022/3/16 (Wed) to 19 (Sat)
Organizer: DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE
Venue: DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE HALL 1,2,3
Official website: https://www.worldartdubai.com

Japan Promotion has continued to participate in this art fair since the first year as part of the Japanese culture dissemination project JAPAN TIDE, but this year they have partnered with the organizer as an official art partner, and new projects have also been carried out. It was 4 days where the appeal of Japan Art was fully demonstrated.

4 days full of passion for art

World Art Dubai 2022The theme of the event is “Unplug Yourself (Freedom from Yourself).” The number of visitors during the exhibition was the highest ever, and on the 3rd and last day, closing was extended from the scheduled time of 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors and artists came together to release their passion for art and their sense of freedom, and the venue was filled with enthusiasm from beginning to end.
Also, the Dubai Expo (Dubai International Exposition) was held from 2021/10/1 to 2022/3/31, and people were also seen stopping by this art fair after the Expo.

This time, 31 artists will be exhibiting at the Japan Promotion Booth. The booth became a place of global exchange for artists and visitors from all over the world.

When the event was held in 2020, I saw many works on the subject of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this time, works on the themes of sustainability and environmental issues caught my eye. The art market has also surpassed one mountain and seems to have moved on to the next step.

Unleash the appeal of Japanese art!

This time, over 4000 works were exhibited in the large venue. The Japan Promotion Booth has the largest space ever among the exhibitions so far.

Also, the continuous exhibitions at World Art Dubai so far and their contents have been highly praised by the organizers, and Japan Promotion is nowWorld Art Dubai 2022We have been appointed as the official art partner of At the venue, various programs were planned and held, including a kimono fashion show commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the UAE, and lectures on kimono culture by Japanese kimono designers.

In addition to a kimono show, an attractive art performance was shown at the Central Stage set up in the center of the venue. An impressive calligraphy performance was performed using a huge 9m wall surface as a canvas at the Feature Zone, and live paintings by contemporary artists were performed at the Urban Art DXB space, and the venue was full of excitement from beginning to end.

Also, workshops by Japanese artists were held in the W.A.D studio space. There were positive comments from participants saying “Japanese people are good at teaching” and “the content was authentic and very good,” and the children of DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE's sub-manager also participated.

Within the gallery booth, inquiries about the work were received one after another from day one, and purchases were made not only from people living in Dubai, but also from people visiting from overseas. Among the people who visited the Japan Promotion Booth, there were also those who enjoyed communicating with artists and those taking commemorative photos. There were also voices from visitors praising Japanese art and artists, such as “there are many works by artists with professional techniques that express their inner world,” and “they are drawn with beauty and delicate feelings.”
We also received comments unique to art fairs from participating artists, such as “I was happy that there were people who shed tears when they saw my work” and “they came into contact with my work.”

A new experiment that started in 2022

In Japan Promotion,World Art Dubai 2022A new project has been launched.

One is an exhibition of digital art works that are attracting attention due to the development of NFT (non-fungible token) technology. The digital art contest “LIFE” will begin in May 2021. We are looking for digital art works on the theme of “resurgence,”World Art Dubai 2022Award-winning films were screened and sold at the venue.

The other is the development of the “Affordable Zone,” a corner that only handles thumbhole-sized works. This time, 55 works will be exhibited in this section. Since it is in a price range that is easier to purchase compared to larger works, there were many inquiries and purchases.

The organizers of World Art Dubai are also planning a “collector's club” for VIPs centered around purchasers as a sales promotion measure. There was also an attendance at the Japan Promotion Booth.

The Japan promotion booth is getting a lot of attention from local media

Many media, such as TV stations, newspaper companies, and publishers, visited the Japan promotion booth in order to capture the live voices of Japanese art works and artists, including the local internet TV station “Dubai TV” and the news-specialized broadcasting station “Euronews (Euronews.),” which broadcasts TV news from major European broadcasters. Interviews were conducted at various locations. It was an opportunity for interest in Japanese artists and Japanese art to increase even more.
Local art experts also visited the Japan Promotion Booth. Artist Dr. Suheil Baddor, who is active mainly in Dubai, and Ahmed Al Awadhi, who is also a contemporary artist, are active in the UAE art scene, and they visit the Japan Promotion Booth every year and are paying attention.

●Special feature on Dubai TV “Akhabar Al Emarat”

●In an introduction to World Art Dubai on the Abu Dhabi TV educational program “Oloomaldaar”

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●Fujailah TV

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“INFINITI” x “Japan Art”

I will take a short break from DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE and introduce the events held at the INFINITI showroom.

“INFINITI” is a luxury car brand developed by Nissan Motor Company both domestically and internationally.
Arabian Automobiles in Dubai held an exhibition of works by Japanese artists and an opening party at the INFINITI showroom in Dubai from 2022/3/15 to 18 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the UAE. There was a request for cooperation in Japan Promotion, which has a track record of introducing Japanese art in Dubai, and a collaboration between “INFINITI” and “Japan Art” was realized. An event was held at the local showroom.

UAE Japan Diplomatic Relations 50th Anniversary Event Japanese Art Exhibition “13 Artists and 24 Artworks”Period: 2022/3/15 (Tue) to 18 (Fri) Organizer: INFINITI (Arabian Automobiles Company), Zimzy Gallery Cooperation: General Incorporated Association Japan Promotion Venue: INFINITI Centre Sheikh Zayed Road

In addition to artists and showroom customers, many guests attended the opening party, including Arabian Automobiles COO Sarah Yamout, the company's sub-manager, and people involved in the hosting Zimzy Gallery. We received comments from people involved in the showroom saying, “I'm moved by the fact that there are Japanese works in our showroom,” and “I'm happy that we were able to exhibit works by Japanese artists.” Nathalie, the sub-manager of Arabian Automobiles, seemed impressed, saying, “I think of the car as my child, so I'm very happy that you drew it.”

Also, due to popularity, a one-year contract sales contract was signed even after the exhibition period. Dubai's luxury car fans will continue to enjoy Japanese art.

In addition to exhibiting works, art performances are also performed, making it a unique and precious time. Finally, a commemorative photo of the organizers and exhibitors

To the home of an art collector

World Art Dubai 2022During the exhibition, we visited the homes of local art collectors together with the exhibiting artists. They are an art collector couple who love art very much, and they have collected art from all over the world. There are various genres, from works by famous British contemporary artists to works by up-and-coming Indian artists. They say they don't buy art works as assets, but rather buy things they really like. The home where the works were displayed had an atmosphere like a high quality gallery.

It was a valuable opportunity for collectors and artists to have a thorough conversation in an environment surrounded by art.
Among them, she answered the question of what art is as follows.

“Art is hope. Only humans can understand and enjoy art. Animals don't do it. Humans sometimes do things they don't think of as humans. I think art is what keeps us connected to “humans” when we are standing on the verge of a cliff where we fall from there and become non-human beings.”

Looking back on 4 days full of love for art

Thanks to the efforts of all the artists who exhibited, we were able to close the Japan Promotion Booth with great success. Also, for our staff, this timeWorld Art Dubai 2022It was a very meaningful experience.

These 4 days made me feel once again the importance of continuing to have “hope” called art as the world faces various issues. Japan Promotion will continue to take on the challenge so that even more people can know the appeal of Japanese art in 2022.

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