Cultivating Opportunity within the UAE's Expanding Ecology of Contemporary Art:: Vikram Divecha's Quotidian Practices, from Urban Epidermis (2012) to Train To Rouen (2017)

In this conversation, artist Vikram Divecha speaks about his work with the “found processes” of the UAE, the forces and capacities that prevail in contemporary Gulf society. By situating himself as an artist within urban operations, Divecha attempts to work through state, social and economic systems. In the past, he has aligned himself with trading houses, municipal gardeners, rock-blasting engineers, non-architects and other diverse faculties. His engagements translate into situations, public art, permanent fixtures, sculptural installations and video works. In this talk with NYU Abu Dhabi Assistant Professor Debra Levine, Divecha discusses his body of work in relation to the emerging contemporary art scene in the UAE, including his newest work, 'Train to Rouen', to be exhibited at Louvre Abu Dhabi, commissioned by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Institut français, created in collaboration with MTX, Paris. An alumni of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Emerging Artists Fellowship (SEAF), Divecha recently participated in Sharjah Biennial 13, Tamawuj curated by Christine Tohme, and is currently exhibiting at the group show  'Rock, Paper, Scissors: Positions in Play' curated by Hammad Nasar for the National Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates, at the 57th Venice Biennale.

Speakers

• Vikram Divecha, Artist, currently based between Dubai and New York., Individuals

Hosted by

• NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

In conversation with

• Debra Levine, Assistant Professor of Theater, NYUAD