SIKKA 2013 launches in Dubai

H.H. Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, officially inaugurated SIKKA 2013, a contemporary artist-led fair.  Held in the Al Fahidi Historical neighbourhood, SIKKA 2013 features works from over 70 Emirati and UAE-based artists, and will also host an array of special projects, workshops, panel discussions, live music and entertainment, film screenings, performances and a children's educational programmes. Held in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the nerve-centre of the city until 24th March, SIKKA 2013 features works from over 70 Emirati and UAE-based artists, and 14 multi-disciplinary initiatives and collectives, an array of special projects, workshops, panel discussions, live music and entertainment, film screenings, performances and a children's educational programme, in addition to guided and self-led tours. Over the course of 11 days, visitors will discover over 45 new works on display and experience a diverse selection of interactive projects and hands-on workshops, shedding light on Dubai's alternative arts and cultural scene. Sheikh Majed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "Dubai's cultural scene is witnessing incredible growth and the city has evolved as one of the world's leading hubs for fine arts today. SIKKA stands apart in the arts sector of Dubai with its focus on promoting Emiratis and UAE-based artists. Over the past three years, the contemporary art fair has served as a platform to highlight the rich talent in our country. With the largest showcase of works, performances, and community-centric initiatives to date, SIKKA will continue to build on Dubai's rich artistic identity and promote intercultural dialogue." H.H Sheikh Majed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "Dubai's cultural scene is witnessing incredible growth and the city has evolved as one of the world's leading hubs for fine arts today. SIKKA stands apart in the arts sector of Dubai with its focus on promoting Emiratis and UAE-based artists. Over the past three years, the contemporary art fair has served as a platform to highlight the rich talent in our country. With the largest showcase of works, performances, and community-centric initiatives to date, SIKKA will continue to build on Dubai's rich artistic identity and promote intercultural dialogue." With numerous acts scheduled each day, SIKKA's commissioned musicians will take the stage with their most recent creations. These include: As per Casper; Beatbox Ray; Fables of Cantt; Gayathri; Harrison Rice; Jabbar; Layla Lacole; Liminal Roots; Nada Dada; Regal Beats; Sach Holden; Shay; Swerte; ?THEM;' and Valentin Spasov, in addition to performances from Imagyne, Paul D, and Star TOO. Works by up-and-coming filmmakers include Amal Agroobi's 90% Psyche; Anushka Anand's Lonely @ Night; Camille Mallat's SIKKA Photo Booth; Hania Ansari's My Heart My Fellow Traveler; Mohammed Al Marzouqi's Travelling Through Time; and Salma El-Shami's Shiddi ?eilek. Over 45 commissioned visual artists will showcase a diverse breath of mediums including installations, photography, graphic design, sculpture, painting, drawing, video art, and mixed media, among others. Visual artists working on site and context specific work and installations include: Aaesha Al Ahmed; Abdul Azim Al Ghussein; Ahmed Bouholaigah; Amal Al Khaja; Amartey Cousland-Golding; Arwa Jundi; Cristiano Luchetti; Caravan + Studio 7; Darwin Guevera; Gilda Jabbari; Hamdan Buti Al Shamsi; Karee Dahl; Khawla Darwish; Mia O; Mohammed Jumairi; Mouza Al Matrooshi; Nadine Nour El Din Ezzat; Noor Al Suwaidi; Nouf Aljahdhami; Nourhan Darwish; Rabi Georges; Rami Farook; Rashid Al Mulla; Reem Abdulwahid; Saba Qizilbash; Sara Al Hadad; Shaikha Al Mazrou; Shamma Al Amri; The Good News Team; Vikram Divecha; Walid Wawi; and Zahra Jewangjee '&' Simon Coates. This showcase is rich with photographic and video works and installations from Alia Hussain Lootah; Cristiana De Marchi; Farah Al Qasimi; Hazem Mahdy; Mark Pilkington; pointCOUNTERpoint; Rania Jishi; Sinisa Vlajkovic; and Zara Mahmood. This year will also have a special house dedicated to design, comprising young designers exploring the medium beyond the commercial context. These include: Khalid Mezaina; Layan Attari; M?bius Design Studio; Nada AlYafaei; Talin Hazbar; and Tulip Hazbar. All visits and activities at SIKKA 2013 are open to the public. Participation is free of charge; however registration is required for workshops due to limited seating. SIKKA 2013 will be held concurrently with Art Week, Dubai's premier umbrella arts initiative encompassing of Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai.