Brand Dubai, Meraas partner to enhance art landscape in Dubai

Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, GDMO, and Meraas, one of Dubai’s leading holding companies, have joined hands to create a platform for some of the world’s leading 3D artists who will showcase their unique creations at the Dubai Canvas 3D Art Festival.

Dubai Canvas is the latest initiative of Brand Dubai that stems from the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to convert Dubai into an open-air museum, and promote aesthetic excellence and innovation, in partnership with government entities and departments, developers, artists and designers.

The 25 artists participating in Dubai Canvas 3D Art Festival will work on their creations at City Walk from 22nd to 28th February, the week preceding the festival, giving the public a great opportunity to watch them at work. The artists will compete for the AED2.3 million Dubai Canvas 3D Art Award, the world’s first award that recognises excellence in 3D art. The event will be held from 1st to 7th March.

Over the past few years, Meraas, one of the key players organising Dubai Canvas, hosted several art events and displayed artworks created by local and international artists.

In April 2015, its BOXPARK hosted New Zealander Gary Yong, an acclaimed graffiti artist, to create a unique 3D "BOXPARK" block letter art installation. In the same year, Meraas Holding joined hands with Dubai Culture to unveil a kaleidoscope 3D selfie wrap at The Beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence. In an earlier partnership, Brand Dubai worked with Meraas to display a public art installation titled "Sand In the Waves" on The Beach. City Walk, Meraas’s high-end lifestyle destination, recently hosted the 10th edition of the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award exhibition.

In 2016, City Walk hosted the inaugural project of Dubai Walls, a ground-breaking street art initiative by Meraas. Seventeen of the world’s top street artists transformed Dubai’s latest urban living destination into a unique art destination with their creative works adorning its walls.

"Meraas is an active player not only in the commercial sector but also in supporting the development of the artistic and the creative landscape in Dubai. It has developed unique urban destinations that provide distinctive ambiences, promoting innovation and creativity. These destinations represent the essence of Dubai’s cosmopolitan and creative spirit, which makes the city a vibrant venue for global art events," said Mona Al Marri, Director-General of GDMO.

"Our partnership with Brand Dubai stems from a shared vision to transform Dubai into an open air museum. City Walk will offer Dubai residents and visitors a platform that combines arts in its different forms - architecture, street art and 3D arts. It also provides them an opportunity to identify with their environments and enjoy the creativity it brings. This collaboration is in line with our commitment to make Dubai a better place to live, work and visit, and our vision of opening up the city for all to enjoy by promoting activity and creativity for a more active life," said Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman of Meraas.