LAST CHANCE In Real Time

NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery is celebrating its ten-year anniversary with a characteristically interesting exhibition. In Real Time is a dynamic show – over the course of three months the curators will be adding artists, and the artists and performers will add work. So far the roster includes some impressive names. Gallery (and magpie) favourites Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh and Hesam Rahmanian are joined by Chafa Ghaddar, Rana Begum, Haleh Redjaian, Moza Almatrooshi, Gözde Ilkin and Cristiana de Marchi.

The prime mover is of course the Gallery’s Executive Director Maya Allison, who has a ‘letter of intent’ that asks some pertinent questions: “What do we need from a space for art in this particular moment, in this particular part of the world, in the UAE, in a university, in an academic gallery?” Her intention is that the artists, the visitors and the art gallery team essentially devise some answers, or at least some opinions – “I hope this exhibition allows for any number of responses” concludes Maya Allison.

The contribution from the artists is obvious – they can make and remake art, amending their presence over the course of the show. Some artworks start with no more than a statement of intent; some artists may just leave hints of a presence (“the artist was here, and may be back”). Maybe there will be some works that last only one day. And the roster may expand during the show: “the artist list will grow, if and when it seems right”.

Much the same applies to the gallery team, particularly the curators: they can add more artists, reconfigure the space, expound and cajole. The principal curator is Duygu Demir, quite recently arrived but carrying an impressive pedigree (and ad addressbook that has obviously contributed some of the participating artists). She’s expects to provide curatorial interventions, maybe even collaborations.

As for the visitors, their role may be more ephemeral: “this is an exhibition about visiting and revisiting, about being physically present in the space, with the traces left by artists who have been there, or hints of those who will be there …” But in fact two of the works will be made entirely by the community, and that could mean a contribution from you.