The 12th edition of the “Sikka Art and Design Festival” promises a rich agenda of exhibitions and artistic creations. The festival, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and member of the Dubai Council, features the participation of over 500 creators and artists from the UAE, the region, and around the world.
“Dubai Culture” aims through the festival to enhance the strength of cultural and creative industries in Dubai. It seeks to create a sustainable environment capable of supporting emerging artists and talents, empowering them to contribute to enriching the local art scene. This is in line with Dubai’s cultural vision, aiming to establish the emirate as a global cultural hub, a nurturing ground for creativity, and a meeting point for talents.
The festival, hosted in the historic Al Shindagha neighborhood until March 3rd, will organize more than 20 dialogues and discussions presented inside “Sikka Homes” and as part of the “Sikka Speaks” corner. Prominent figures in the art scene will engage in discussions about global art trends. Among the sessions, there is one titled “Assessment in the UAE” presented by Giuseppe Moscatello and Studio Thirteen. Another session, “Exploring Multi-disciplinarity for the Culinary Scene through Science and Technology,” features Jose Carles, an Associate Professor at the American University in Dubai. Hani Asfour, Dean of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, addressed the impact of artificial intelligence tools in design during the session “I See Design in Your Future.”
Visual artist Ahlam Al Bannai, Head of the Department of Applied Media at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, focused on the power of imagery and photographic representation in cultural representation. In a panel discussion led by Sophie Mayuko, artists Christopher Benton, Jameela, and Maxim Kramarenko shed light on the details of the unconventional art scene in the UAE. Ahmed Makari, Cyril Reynaert, and Tamilla Kotcharova discussed how to build a purposeful creative community in their session moderated by Tarek Omar.