DUBAI, 9th February, 2023 (WAM) — Dubai Culture & Arts Authority has commissioned Art Jameel to prepare the Jaddaf Playscape Commission Programme, a new sculptural addition to Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park at Jameel Arts Centre.
Through Dubai Public Art, the new programme gives artists, designers and collectives from the UAE the opportunity to propose and create a large-scale, interactive and playful public artwork every four years.
The Jaddaf Playscape Commission aims to create a space for creativity, imagination and play for all ages, with the inaugural commission opening to the public in Autumn 2023.
The Commission is keeping with Art Jameel’s and Dubai Culture’s commitment to engage communities through public art and performance, and to support artists, architects, designers and writers by nurturing their practices and developing challenging, dynamic new ideas and creating compelling works for the public.
Responding to the site-specificity of the Jameel Arts Centre surroundings, the Jaddaf Playscape Commission will have a prominent presence, visible to visitors as they access Dubai’s contemporary art museum and interact with the wider Jaddaf Waterfront community.
The Jaddaf Playscape Commission Programme is part of a series of new artworks, from the Art Jameel and Dubai Culture partnership, under the Dubai Public Art programme, that focuses on the Jaddaf Waterfront and Dubai Creek areas.
Other projects in this series include Creek Experiences, a series of audio walks responding to Dubai’s historical “artery”, devised and recorded by artists, writers and poets, accompanied by performances and an expanded digital programme; and Creek Shelters, a series of sustainable and interactive structures created by artists and architects.
Antonia Carver, Director of Art Jameel, said, “Art Jameel has a particular interest in commissioning and curating public art. Since the launch of Jameel Arts Centre in 2018, the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park, developed in partnership with Dubai Holding, has become a site of dynamic, interactive curation and programming that engages the broadest audiences.
She added, “Considered the UAE’s first arts-themed public space, the park, designed by local architects from waiwai, features both monumental and permanent works by world-renowned artists and a rolling programme of temporary commissions, community festivals and public performances.
Dubai Public Art is a new multi-year initiative, led by Dubai Culture, that enables the creation and installation of public art by UAE-based artists. Art Jameel is a curatorial partner, working alongside Art Dubai, Tashkeel, Alserkal and Akaas Visual Arts to commission and curate a series of site-specific art installations throughout the emirate.
Deadline for submission of proposals is 31st March and all application materials are submitted through Dubai Culture’s website.
Rashed Alzaabi