NOMAD Abu Dhabi

A boutique alternative to the conventional art fair, NOMAD is a peripatetic showcase for collectible design and contemporary art that pops up in “extraordinary architectural settings”. Its next iteration is NOMAD Abu Dhabi, to be held in the decommissioned Terminal 1 at Zayed International Airport (closed to the public for years, the terminal was designed in the late 1970s by the Paris CDG architect Paul Andreu).

The fair’s format emphasises dialogue, architecture, and site-specificity over conventionally commercial display, creating a distinctive experience for collectors and design enthusiasts that makes a change from the usual art fair (such as you will find down the road at Abu Dhabi Art). Featured are 16 galkleries offering ‘collectible design’, among them AP Room (Dubai), Nilufar (Milan), Gallery FUMI (London), Galerie BSL (Paris), Galerie Gastou (Paris), and Mondavilli Scagliola (Milan). There are two galleries under the ‘modern and contemporary art’ heading – Robilant+Voena (London, Milan, Paris, New York) and  Leila Heller (Dubai, New York). Leila Heller will have some of Dale Chihuly’s gorgeous blown glass on show.

There are also 19 ‘special projects’. They include A collaboration between Iwan Maktabi and Orient 499, exploring craft and material heritage; an installation by Lebanese collective SUPER LOOP, which made its debut at this year’s Milan Design Week 2025 with a collection that reinterpreted traditional Middle Eastern craft techniques; and a showcase by Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council on Emirati craftsmanship.

NOMAD is open 20-22 Nov, 1-9pm. It’s by invitation only; you can apply here.

Above: Abu Dhabi Airport’s Terminal 1 in its working heyday