Dubai is set to achieve a new global mark, complementing its rising global status as an emerging business hub and real estate investment hotspot, with the rollout of a series of city-wide public art projects and landmark installations, aimed at propelling the cityscape to further international fame, while helping citizens to re-connect with their roots.
The soon-to-be-unveiled large-scale public art projects, initiated by Dubai-based Inloco, an organisation for promoting arts and artists, are also expected to act as door openers for new business opportunities, further boost tourist arrivals, besides adding more value to the real estate in the emirate, while making people living there feel cared for.
“In creating these spaces and artistic landmarks, we want to emphasise the need for a human-centered city, where every development and initiative is tailored to enhance the well-being and quality of life of its inhabitants,” Natalia Voznesenskaia, CEO of Inloco Initiative, told Arabian Business.
“Large-scale public art projects are known as the door openers for new business opportunities in the areas where the art objects are presented – if done wisely for sure,” she said.
Said Inloco’s initiative will not only facilitate the creation of new job opportunities but also actively contribute to the growth of small businesses, besides enriching the city’s cultural milieu, making it a more attractive destination for tourists.
Inloco to kick off global debut in Dubai with ‘Storage’, online store for artworks, talks on arts
Voznesenskaia said Inloco Initiative will kick off its global debut in Dubai with the first solo exhibition of contemporary artist Filippo Minelli, billed as an entirely new form of art representation under its ‘Inloco Storage’ programme, later this month.
Based on the concept of a self-curated art project, this inaugural exposition will offer a critical exploration of urban and cultural transformations framing identity in the post-globalization era.
Inloco Initiative, driven by a global team of enthusiasts dedicated to projects focused on the context and identity of places, will soon also launch its online store featuring an accessible collection of artworks from its talented artists.
This exclusive online platform will offer limited edition prints and small-scale art objects, making contemporary art more attainable for a wider audience.
Besides, the Initiative will also organise a series of public talks and discussions on the role of art in urban environments.
The head honcho of Inloco, literally translated as “in place” in Latin, said these talks are a cornerstone of the Initiative’s mission, fostering dialogue and reflection on how art shapes, and is shaped by cityscapes and communities.
“Dubai is where trends are set, and with our decade-long expertise, we aim to create something truly novel in urban art practices,” Voznesenskaia said.
“This ambition will be reflected in our latest endeavor, the development of the open-to-public Inloco Storage, designed to gather and showcase a collection of contextualised art creations,” she added.
The upcoming releases will focus on artists who skillfully blend urban contemporary art with semantic nuances, crafting a variety of artistic approaches.
“The organisation values the principles of freedom and temporality, believing that the connection between urban art and its mediators is essential to the wider contemporary art context,” Voznesenskaia said, adding that its mission is to support independent art and reinforce local recognition through their collaborative efforts.
Creating city-wide public art programmes have same effect as building other landmarks
Voznesenskaia said creating public spaces and city-wide public art programmes have the same effect as building other landmarks.
“However, compared to the landmarks aimed exclusively at tourists, public art objects also work for the residents and increase the overall well-being of both tourists and residents.
“This is borne out from the fact that our public art programme has increased tourism,” she said.
Citing another example, the Inloco head honcho said she has also noticed a similar effect of the Freej Al Murar project done by the Dubai Creative Unit in Satwa.
“I am not aware of the actual numbers but I do know for sure it attracted more businesses and brought more value to the real estate in the area, while making people living there feel cared for,” Voznesenskaia said.
Public art projects to change the ‘look’’ and ‘feel’ of Dubai
Voznesenskaia said she lived in Dubai for five years and usually calls it a startup city: “Like a startup company Dubai develops so fast, it can’t keep up with itself.”
This is the “startup reality”, but we as people are living here at this very moment and for us to experience happiness and psychological stability we need to step out from the race – our own and the city’s – and reconnect with the roots.
“That’s exactly what public art is for: It helps to create spaces that are owned by citizens, just people as people, not people as businessmen or developers.
“Connecting with art feels the same as connecting with nature – and it brings not only happiness but also the psychological stability so needed to all people living in a Megapolis,” Voznesenskaia said.
Besides Filippo Minelli, Inloco Initiative will also be working with other leading names such as Neda Salmanpour, an architect and sculptor who recently presented a couple of amazing pieces at the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival, and the talented Algerian painter and urban artist Lokher.
The cost of the proposed public art projects in Dubai are estimated to run into multi-million dollars, while the smallest commissioned projects like a mural would be around $20,000.
“The cost can go up significantly based on the scale,” Voznesenskaia said.
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