In Dubai, an art show’s return reflects city’s new normal

In Dubai, an art show’s return reflects city’s new normal

It was a scene reminiscent of pre-pandemic Dubai: Art lovers dressed in designer clothes or alternative fashion, walking around in one of the city's many swanky locations. Bloggers, VIPs and influencers filming on their mobile phones. People mingling and laughing.

The only difference? They all wore masks.

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After being canceled in March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Art Dubai returned this weekto the sunbaked desert metropolis it calls home, becoming one of the first in-person international art fairs of 2021. The show is part of the city-state's efforts to reopen to international trade and tourism that power its economy.

"Art Dubai was the first art fair to be canceled, just when the pandemic started“ and now it's the first to be back live, said Pablo del Val, the show's artistic director.

"I think it's been an emotional, fantastic moment,“ he added. "I think everyone was looking forward to stop looking to screens and having a physical relationship with a work of art.“

This year's installment is different, however. Typically held at the vast conference space of Madinat Jumeirah in the shadow of Dubai's iconic, sail-shaped Burj al-Arab hotel, the 2021 event instead came to Dubai International