Bastakiya Art Fair 2010

Alfred Tarazi You're young and you'll forget, mixed media on paper, 2009.

Today is the first day of the Bastakiya Art Fair (BAF) -  a fringe art fair focusing on promoting emerging Middle Eastern contemporary art that coincides annually with Art Dubai, opening later this week.

Running between 15th-21st March, the week will include individual participants, galleries and internationally-acclaimed curators. The programme of events includes daily exhibitions, movie screenings, book readings, performance art and a series of brunch talks curated by Rose Issa.

This is the 4th year of the festival and although less galleries are taking part this year compared to last year, the quality is still there. Sixteen traditional houses within Bastakiya will be open showcasing twenty three local, regional and internationally-based participants. Other events to look out for at BAF:

Wednesday, 17th March

6-8pm: Tashkeel Reception and Haiti Fundraiser (Location: House 67, Bastakiya) 

Thursday, 18th March

6.30pm: Book Reading by Mohammed Hanif of ‘A case of Exploding Mangoes’ and the derived performance ‘The Dictator’s Wife’ by Nimra Bucha (Location: XVA Gallery)

Friday, 19th March

6pm: Film screening of  ‘Our Feelings Took the Pictures: Open Shutters Iraq’, directed by Maysoon Pachachi (Location: XVA Gallery)

Saturday, 20th March

7pm: Film screening of ‘Life in the Walled City of Lahore’ by Shireen Pasha (Location: XVA Gallery)

Full list of events.

www.bastakiyaartfair.com