For the first time, architect visionaries Lord Norman Foster, Jean Nouvel and Frank Gehry appeared on the same stage in a discussion moderated by Saeed Al Hajeri. — Courtesy photo ABU DHABI/JEDDAH — Marina Abramovic and Ghada Amer, two of the most widely recognized female contemporary artists today, as well as conceptual artist Abdulnasser Gharem — one of Saudi Arabia's most influential contemporaries — headlined Day 3 of Abu Dhabi Art's Conversations on Saadiyat Island on Nov. 9. This followed the appearance on Nov. 8 of Bharti Kher and Subudh Gupta, hailed as two of the most renowned contemporary artists in India. Pioneering performance artist Abramovic, making her first trip to the Middle East, discussed her epic performances that have spanned nearly 40 years and have changed the audiences' perception of contemporary visual art. “I had a completely different perception of the culture (in the region) and it's very different actually being here. Yesterday I had a very important experience when I went to the desert. I understood so much more about the culture,” she said. The conversation was moderated by Dr. Valerie Hillings, Associate Director, Abu Dhabi Project, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. The Abu Dhabi Art Conversation Series continued with a talk by Amer, a multimedia artist and one of the most well-known Middle Eastern artists working today, whose diverse oeuvre includes painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, and installation. Amer was in conversation with Gharem, moderated by Anna Somers-Cocks, Chief Executive, The Art Newspaper. Day 3 followed an outstanding first two days of programs which saw thousands of people attend talks and conversations at Abu Dhabi Art. For the first time, architect visionaries Lord Norman Foster, Jean Nouvel and Frank Gehry appeared on the same stage in a discussion moderated by Saeed Al Hajeri. Held in the Manarat Al Saadiyat auditorium — which was filled to maximum capacity — the talk detailed insights into each of the three architects' visions and thoughts on their practice and their designs being realized in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The Public Program began with an in-depth conversation with world-renowned sculpture artist Anish Kapoor on Nov. 7 which was also met with a full house. Abramovic, Amer, Gharem and Kapoor were also shown by exhibitors at Abu Dhabi Art's its fair section. For more information, please visit www.abudhabiartfair.ae. — SG
