Ever wondered why certain corners of Dubai suddenly feel electric with creativity? That buzz you feel in Al Quoz right now isn’t your imagination—it’s Alserkal Art Week 2025, back with a twist and more captivating than ever. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a curious wanderer, or someone simply looking for a meaningful way to spend the week, this cultural phenomenon invites you in. From immersive exhibitions to poetic light installations, it’s less about just seeing art and more about stepping into it. And yes, it all begins today. So, if you’re wondering what not to miss this week, here’s your go-to insider guide—written with love and detail by the editorial team at www.few.ae.
A new rhythm stitched in color and chaos
This year’s theme, “A Wild Stitch,” couldn’t be more fitting. It captures the jagged, beautiful disorder of our times—an exploration of what it means to navigate identity, change, and resilience in an ever-shifting world. Artists across continents are threading stories that tug at both the mind and heart. You won’t just see these works. You’ll feel them—sometimes uncomfortably, sometimes joyfully, but always fully.
And let’s not pretend you need a background in fine arts to appreciate any of it. That’s the charm of Alserkal. The experiences here speak in multiple languages: color, sound, touch, and movement. You bring your attention and your questions—Alserkal does the rest.
Art without walls, rules, or routine
Art Week in Alserkal Avenue has never been confined to galleries. This time, it stretches across streets, spills from studios, and dances on sidewalks. Whether it’s the surreal texture of a painting, the quiet of a film room, or the intimacy of a conversation with an artist, this is art in its most human form. Expect hands-on workshops where paint stains are a badge of honor. Expect films that whisper rather than shout. And expect studio visits that dissolve the barrier between viewer and creator.
These are the kind of interactions you’ll remember—not because they were grand, but because they felt real. Think less of it as attending an event and more like entering a temporary world where rules are reimagined, and the everyday becomes meaningful.
Over 15 fresh exhibitions in one walkable hub
Alserkal Avenue turns into a living map of global perspectives this week, with over 15 new exhibitions within walking distance of each other. There’s no need for a plan—just wander and let your curiosity guide you.
Watch for the thought-provoking work at Efie Gallery, where Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons invites you to reflect on migration and memory. Or explore the identity-charged installations at Zawyeh Gallery, spotlighting Bashir Makhoul, whose art pulls from his British-Palestinian roots.
Many of the artists exhibiting are here in person—yes, you can talk to them. Ask what inspired them. Ask what keeps them up at night. You might just leave the gallery with more questions than you came in with—and that’s the point.
Imran Qureshi’s visual symphony at Concrete
If there’s one stop you carve out time for, make it Concrete. Inside this architectural marvel stands a hauntingly beautiful show by Imran Qureshi, curated by Nada Raza.
Qureshi doesn’t just mix media—he fuses past and present. From Mughal miniature styles to layered installations that swallow the viewer whole, his pieces speak of South Asia’s cities, histories, and wounds in ways words can’t. You won’t forget it. Not because it demands your attention, but because it earns it.
When the city becomes the canvas
At Alserkal, even the pavements breathe art. Public installations this year echo the spirit of Emirati poet Nujoom Alghanem, drawing from her piece “Between a Beach and a Slope.” It’s lyrical, but not soft.
Take Shilpa Gupta’s light sculpture—it doesn’t just shine, it speaks. Or Héctor Zamora’s “Existence-emitting Movements,” a performance installation that transforms the street into a moving poem. Objects collide, shift, and settle—like thoughts you didn’t know you had.
This is art that exists with you, among you. It’s not about standing still. It’s about flow, change, and emotion in motion.
Pull up a seat for Majlis Talks
What’s an art week without deep conversations? Enter Majlis Talks, where things get raw, thoughtful, and at times, provocative. Curated by Stephanie Bailey, these sessions offer more than just commentary—they offer insight into the blood, sweat, and uncertainty behind the scenes of UAE’s evolving art landscape.
This is your chance to listen to artists, curators, and thinkers who aren’t afraid to say what matters. What role does art play in crisis? Who gets to decide what’s valuable? And how do artists survive when the world feels indifferent? If you’ve ever had big questions, this is your place.
Where to rest, recharge, and refuel
Let’s be honest—after a few hours of art exploration, you’ll need a pause. Thankfully, Alserkal Avenue is just as serious about its food and coffee game as it is about its galleries.
Drop by Nightjar Coffee Roasters for a cup of something bold. Grab a flaky bite from Bkry. Sip on a smooth matcha from Dopa, or wind down over a Mediterranean bite at LILA Molino. There’s no rush here. Sit outside. Watch the crowd. Let the city slow down with you.
Every evening brings a new pulse
As the sun sets, the energy shifts. Lights dim, but conversations light up. Expect live performances, ambient music, and impromptu gatherings. No two nights feel the same. The unexpected is the schedule, and spontaneity is the rule.
Whether you’re catching a dance-theatre hybrid in a back alley or being drawn into a shadow-lit installation you hadn’t noticed by day, the night invites you to lean in closer. This is when the city breathes differently, and the art breathes with it.
A week that asks more than it answers
If you come to Alserkal Art Week looking for pretty pictures and perfect answers, you might walk away confused. But if you come with open eyes, open ears, and maybe an open heart, you’ll leave feeling more awake.
Because that’s what great art does. It doesn’t decorate your world. It shifts it. Gently, then firmly.
This entire week is a rare opportunity to experience that shift. One that reminds you that creativity isn’t just a profession or a gallery label—it’s a way of seeing.
And right now, Alserkal Avenue is the best place in Dubai to do that.
Where: Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
When: April 13 to April 20, 2025
Entry: Most events are free (check official schedules for exceptions)
Bring your thoughts, bring your doubts, bring your friends—and maybe even leave with new questions you didn’t know you needed to ask.
This guide was prepared by the editorial team at www.few.ae to help you make the most of this unforgettable celebration of creativity and conversation.
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