The cultural and creative industries sectors in Dubai have witnessed a steady organic growth over the past years. Dubai has Creative Economy Strategy, which aims to make Dubai the global capital of the creative economy by 2026. Recently Dubai has ranked first in the Arab world and the fifth globally in cultural interaction in the Global Power City Index 2021. We spoke with Aleksei Afanasiev, who lives and work in the emirate for a long time playing significant role in Dubai’s cultural life.
With over 12 years experience in contemporary art and publishing, across different functions, and extensive knowledge of global art destinations, key international art players and organizations, Aleksei has contributed to the successful transformations of the Red October Factory in Moscow, and Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, including OMA-designed Concrete. His portfolio includes working and collaborating with Venice Biennale, Art Basel, Art Dubai, Cosmoscow, Singapore Art Week, among others.
What did bring you to Dubai and how long have you been living there?
As it happens with many of us here in Dubai, the decision to move here was made rather spontaneous. I was just graduated from my university, and was looking for new challenging opportunities. I never considered ‘immigration’ as an idea, especially to a country with extremely hot climate, and to the city built from scratch over the past few decades. I landed in Dubai in 2010 with one piece of luggage, and have been calling this place home ever since.
What were the fundamental changes in Dubai art and culture scene in your opinion?
Art and culture scene has grown drastically over the time that I’ve witnessed it here – and so did the city itself. For example, back in 2010 Alserkal Avenue had just three galleries, and not a single taxi driver could ever find a way to it (in fact I got lost walking in Al Quoz on my first week as I arrived in July, after which I promised myself to never walk anywhere here, even if it looks really close on the map). Later I was working on the development of Art Map that would help people like myself to navigate in the art world here – and this led to my long term collaboration with My Art Guides, a Venice-based publication covering major art destinations in the world including the UAE.
Tell us about your way in culture? How did you develop such a strong appreciation for the arts?
I had high appreciation of culture since my childhood, thanks to my parents, music school and art classes, so it came naturally that wile still being a student, I started working in the events industry, and then joined the the non-profit Baibakov Art Projects. We had a very impressive space if the former Red October chocolate factory in the centre of Moscow, which at that time just started its cultural transformation with our input. Amongst the artists we have exhibited in Russia at that time, quite a few had strong reference in this region – Adel Abdessemed, Latifa Echakhch, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Shezad Dawood, Slavs and Tatars… that understanding has made my ‘assimilation’ in Dubai’s artistic community much easier than I would have thought initially.
Are you personally engaged in collecting art?
It’s a tough question, just like when people ask who is my favourite artist. I am trying to constantly learn and discover new artists who’s work I can personally connect with. For that reason I am trying not to get too attached either, and I am not collecting, or rather not buying art for myself – although I have a few pieces that were gifted to me by different artists, and that always brings amazing memories of working with them and realising their challenging projects. For example, I still have a little work on paper related to the text-based light installation The Circle Game (When did you arrive / When will you return) by American artist Marie Ellen Carrol, that is installed on the roof of Alserkal Avenue. This way I probably rather prefer to collect memories of those great artists I had a chance to work with, and it is much more valuable for me.
The cultural scene in the United Arab Emirates has witnessed a big shift over the past 5 years. What is the trend now?
Well, talking about the current trends, it is obviously the NFTs. And with all the Blockchain conferences being hosted in Dubai these days, this trend is likely to stay for some time. However, I believe there is a way to develop this further, with the merge of digital and physical – and that is definitely the direction we are taking, whether we talk about business events or cultural experiences – the ‘offline’, artworks are not loosing their value, and could instead use the technology as an advantage to spread the audience’s awareness. Nothing can replace the experience of seeing a great work of art live in-person.
You are the holder of Dubai Cultural golden visa. Could you explain your role in supporting cultural initiatives in the emirate?
Over the past decade I have contributed to the cultural growth of the region, as well as the global awareness of it. Through realising multidisciplinary cultural program in Alserkal and its landmark OMA-designed space Concrete, with our international museum collaborations and communicating with our global network of museums and institutions. The announcement of the Cultural Visas was a big turn for Dubai to position itself as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. I am extremely grateful to the government of Dubai, and Dubai Culture in particular, for acknowledging my contribution and achievements within the creative scene of the UAE, and this provides me even more opportunity for further development, realizing more artistic projects and cultural events.
What are the best Cultural and Art tours to take in Dubai?
There is a number of membership clubs in Dubai that offer specialised art tours. For example, we have recently organised a tour of galleries in Alserkal Avenue for the members of The Arts Club. The best part of such tours is the opportunity to meet with the gallerists, curators and artists, get to know more about the process, and maybe even some art-world-insider info. TheArtGorgeous House is a very informal and female-driven community, that unites creatives around the globe, and I am currently looking after their members based in Middle East and Central/South Asia. We manage get special access to museum exhibitions before they officially open to public, and more importantly get a chance to support each other in our artistic initiatives.
Tell us about your favorite art galleries in Dubai?
There are so many great galleries in Dubai, many of them are the ones representing the region at international art fairs and biennials. Alserkal Avenue has become the centre point for top galleries – those like Carbon12, Green Art Gallery, IVDE, Grey Noise, and Lawrie Shabibi, were the first to open, despite the challenges of being in the industrial area. Later with their success, bigger players like Custot and Leila Heller have joined the community, along with The Third Line and 1×1 Art Gallery who used to have their previous spaces nearby in Al Quoz. Latest exciting additions to the neighbourhood include Firetti Contemporary and Volte Art Projects.
Abu Dhabi is pledging to invest $6bn in the cultural and creative industries over the next five years to increase its post-coronavirus stimulus spending and diversify away from oil. How the capital scene can change?
While the cultural scene in Dubai is mostly driven by art entrepreneurs and private initiatives, Abu Dhabi government is known by taking big steps in acquisitions and collaborations with largest global art institutions. Therefore we have the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and soon the Guggenheim. It is also as important to support creative individuals, and I am glad the capital is taking this direction. Hopefully this would allow regional artists and collectives to unleash their creative potential and sustain their practices while being based in the UAE. Institutions such as Warehouse421 and Cultural Foundation are already building this new narrative and changing the cultural landscape for Abu Dhabi.
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Talking about the UAE’s Art scene, what are the challenges and opportunities?
As in any developing field, the UAE’s art scene is still at it’s early stage – which opens a lot of opportunities for artists, curators and art managers, if you are ready to face a lot of uncertainties and be ready to change people’s mindsets and perceptions. It requires a lot of education – for yourself, and for your audiences. But yet, it is the most exciting time, because you can do so much with the right vision and ambition. Everything is possible!
