March is probably my favourite month to be in Dubai: the vibrant energy in the city is infectious with the kick-off of the art season, many galleries unveiling their latest exhibitions, regional and international designers flocking to showcase new works and, of course, the return of Art Dubai where we look forward to discovering new artists and galleries the world over. So naturally, every March issue of identity is dedicated to our love for art, which seeps through the pages of the magazine.
In preparation for the March issue, I traveled to two extremely interesting destinations to discover the arts and design scenes that are flourishing there. Discovering Hilton LXR’s newest island retreat Mango House Seychelles was of course a treat on its own, but what was even more interesting was the evident relationship between the property and the island’s artists. Any discerning hotel can understand the importance of curating the right kind of artworks for its spaces – but when art becomes a tool for storytelling, the impact is twice as strong. While exploring the many galleries on the main island of Mahé, a healthy network for the arts became evident, fuelled by pride in the culture and heritage of the island but also by a strong community fabric formed by artists and patrons.
Closer to home, the launch of an exhibition titled ‘OUTLOUD’ by carpet marker KAHHAL 1871 drew us to heart of the Egyptian capital, which is currently experiencing a cultural revival of its own, honing young talents and broadening its creative prowess. The excitement for a hopeful and innovative future is surging through the cultural sector, which we are very grateful to have been a part of. You can read more about the exhibition in the following pages of the issue.
This month we also celebrate the openings of a number of cultural buildings across the region, such as the long-anticipated Museum of the Future in Dubai, Saudi’s Hayy Jameel by wai wai and the Atatürk Cultural Center in Istanbul, all of which are driving the strength of their respective cultural sectors even further forward.
It is an exciting time to be in the region and we are looking forward to many more positive occasions to come.
Read the full issue here.
