Bi-annual Festival to Showcase Live Art Installations, Renowned Exhibitions and Jazz Performances

Dubai-UAE: 10 March, 2016 – Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is set to host its bi-annual ‘Art Nights’ showcase on 14 March from 7pm to 10pm at the DIFC Gate Village. This year’s event will treat culture enthusiasts to a night of unique exhibitions, live art installations and soulful music performances.

Embodying diversity and community, Art Nights will convene established and emerging artists, photographers and musicians from around the world on one platform. The culture showcase will also bring together DIFC and the wider Dubai community with interactive multi-media and multi-cultural art and photography displays that tell captivating regional and global stories to inspire and educate.

Raja Al Mazrouei, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications at DIFC Authority, said: “Since its debut in 2009, Art Nights has built a reputation as the UAE’s leading showcase dedicated to new and innovative art. Our event has grown in popularity and esteem over the years and transforms DIFC into an inspirational space filled with live art shows and installations, live music and film screenings that create an invigorating ambience for an enthralled audience. DIFC’s Art Nights is a truly cosmopolitan event that reinforces the vision and keenness of our leadership to promote Dubai as a cultural hub for the benefit of the city’s multiethnic residents as well as international visitors.”

This year DIFC will jazz up the Gate Village with a modern five-piece jazz band whose funky and soulful music will pervade the main outdoor space.

Visitors will also enjoy exploring the ‘Imagine France’ exhibition by Maya Flore that makes its Middle East debut following stints in Italy and the United States. Featuring 24 photographs of France’s cultural and historical landmarks, the exhibition will capture the unique essence of each location and paint France as a ‘Fantastical Voyage’.

Furthermore, the Beijing-based ‘Invisible Man’ will tint his body to blend with various dynamic backgrounds and disappear in plain sight to highlight the world’s social and political challenges.

Fares Jammal’s ‘Insights into Nature’ exhibition will explore the hidden beauty of nature through his mixed use of photographs and paintings on photosensitive panchromatic paper. In addition, art enthusiasts can indulge in the experiential ‘Enter the Box’ exhibition’ by Melanie Francesca, who uses black and white sketches to bridge the gap between classical mythology and contemporary understanding.

Visitors seeking a relaxing culinary experience will enjoy one of the many beautifully decorated outdoor lounges. Surrounded by modern architecture and a vibrant community, the outdoor lounges will be sponsored and served by DIFC’s culinary experts at the Ritz Carlton, Illy Café and Christie’s. To take in the full outdoor experience, guests are invited to enjoy the ambient mood lighting across DIFC’s bridges and stroll through the contemporary furniture design showcase by the premier rental shop, Desert River. 

The brand new eatery, FIREBIRD DINER by Michael Mina at The Four Seasons Hotel – DIFC, will pay tribute to the classical American diner experience with its North American delicacies and live music.

‘Art Nights’ is a social component of DIFC’s cultural calendar and reiterates the Centre’s commitment to offering a vibrant community of businesses, residences, retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and art galleries, in addition to providing an enriching hub for visitors and brilliant artists.