Top Spots Dubai shares Dubai’s top exhibition openings and cultural events for the month of May 2023.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Al Jaddaf
Contemporary Classical Singer Yana Mann in Concert
25th May
World-class mezzo-soprano Yana Mann performs at the Theater at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Al Jaddaf on May 25. Yana will perform song cycles: 11 Poemas de Bar Op. 12 and Arias Florentinas Op. 15 in this new performing arts venue. Yana has previously performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and is a singer, songwriter, and producer with a background in classical music, opera and electronic music.
Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront
Blind Light, Daniele Genadry Solo Exhibition
Until Sunday, May 14
Blind Light by Daniele Genadry investigates the way that distance, light, and movement impact visual experiences, particularly in nature. Working with photography and painting the exhibition reveals Genadry’s recent explorations in La Rochelle and Cassis, France and the Grand Canyon, USA.
Ishara Art Foundation, Alserkal Avenue
Notations on Time, Group Exhibition
Until Sunday, May 20
Notations on Time is a group show that draws together the works of more than 20 contemporary artists from South Asia united by their exploration of the philosophical and political dimensions of time. The exhibition reveals a dialogue that connects artistic generations and suggests different ways of thinking about aesthetics, existence, remembrance and futurity beyond Western-centric approaches.
Opera Gallery, Atlantis The Royal
New Gallery Opening. Ongoing Programming
The new Atlantis The Royal location is Opera Gallery’s 16th location worldwide. With an existing location already in DIFC, the new Opera Gallery will focus on exhibiting secondary market artworks. Visitors can expect to see works by modern and contemporary masters including Georges Braque, Joan Miró and Marc Chagall as well as contemporary blue-chip artists that are represented by the gallery on the primary market.
Elmarsa Gallery
A Perfect World, Aly Ben Salem Solo
Until Saturday, May 20
Tunisian modernist Aly Ben Salem has produced a body of work that reveals seminal moments in North African history. As part of the first generation of artists to come out of post-colonial Tunisia Ben Salem’s work explores questions of identity, history, memory and heritage.
Kanvas, Alserkal Avenue
Revival of Aesthetics 2.0, Orkhan Maddadov Solo
Until June 2
Revival of Aesthetics 2.0 is a fully immersive AI-driven exhibition by Orkhan Maddadov. The show harnesses visual effects and virtual realities to zone into cultural histories and heritage. This exhibition focuses on the tradition of carpet weaving which is brought to life through more than 150,000 digitalised compositions that comprise various motifs, patterns, sketches and calligraphic shapes. Virtual rugs are projected across the walls resulting in a fully immersive way to encounter this intricate traditional craft.
The Thirdline, Alserkal Avenue
Mirror Ball, Anuar Khalifi Solo
Until 19 May
Spanish-Moroccan artist Anuar Khalifi’s solo entitled Mirror Ball sees the artist exhibit both sculptural works and paintings that explore the complexities of personal identity and the experience of living between two worlds. Through his work Khalifi aims to explore the possibility of an authentic identity that exists between modernity and tradition and in doing so, he touches upon themes of colonialism, capitalism and the global south.
ToDA, Madinat Jumeirah
Banksy 360° Art of the Rebel
Until 30 June
Banksy 360° offers a 360° experience of the famous and anonymous street artist’s works. Visitors move around an immersive space where over 50 works by Banksy come to life. Banksy, whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed, rose to fame during the 1990s, recognised for his stencilled artworks that often carry strong social messages. The show takes around 30 minutes to explore.
DIFC Sculpture Park
Tales Under The Gate
Until 30 September
DIFC’s open-air art gallery, the DIFC Sculpture Park, returns for its second edition. Visitors can move around a curation of modern and contemporary sculptural masterpieces by established and independent artists from around the world. Expect to see works by Salvador Dali, Anthony James and Jeff Koons amongst others.
Related Post: Top Art Events of the Month June 2023
