Visit DUBAI 🇦🇪 Street Art, Galleries, Events

[rebilder]

I would be surprised if they are getting paid to paint there...so "cashing in" is maybe not the right term. Many of these art festivals will pay for your travel and hotel and food, but offer no money or very little to the artists. Yet these art festivals find the money to pay the photographers and video makers, so I can not blame the artists at all in going there. They go there to see more of the world and to do what they love, it is not for the money and I wont judge them at all. More power to the artists.

[Fake]

Apr 4, 2016 7:25:29 GMT 1 ANE* said:

Always the same clichés about Dubai...

Honestly guys, you should come & see what is happening over there before giving lessons on "human rights", "migrant workers" & "environmental impact".

Just to clarify once for all: Dubai is not Saudi Arabia, not Qatar, not Iran...

I would have expected better than simple shortcuts coming from people on this Forum.

Sorry but this is BS! Last 2 years 3 western woman went in to prison for beeing raped in Dubai!

[Deleted]

Apr 4, 2016 9:44:31 GMT 1 @rawdocument said:

Wish one of the artist had taken the opportunity to throw up a little anger at the way Dubai treats
people, not to mention the thousand of slaves that were imported from Kerala,India to build the city.
This is exactly the type of regime that streetart should be highlighting and fighting against... IMHO

Im sure as westerners we would be treated very well in Dubai you might even feel like a king.
But it's really about treating everybody well.Basic Human Rights.

I can only speak from my own experience of the people from SE Asia that come to work in my family and friends companies. I can categorically assure you that their lives are hugely enhanced by coming to the UAE. Not all employers are d!ckheads and labour laws have changed a lot over the past 15 years or so. Don't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail.

[ANE*]

I agree, as previously said, no system is perfect & some points need to progress. Look at the evolution of the UAE in the past 20 years & I can tell you than in term of "evolution of mentalities", they have come a long way & can give lessons to many of our home countries.

FYI, sex outside of marriage is not legally allowed (i.e. facing jail & deportation) but in the facts, you are pretty much as free as anywhere else as long as you do not get into trouble; same for "homosexuality".

My lifestyle in UAE is the same I had in France except that I avoid behind drunk in the street. That's all.

[ANE*]

Apr 4, 2016 9:53:44 GMT 1 @letisss said:

Apr 4, 2016 9:44:31 GMT 1 @rawdocument said:

Wish one of the artist had taken the opportunity to throw up a little anger at the way Dubai treats
people, not to mention the thousand of slaves that were imported from Kerala,India to build the city.
This is exactly the type of regime that streetart should be highlighting and fighting against... IMHO

Im sure as westerners we would be treated very well in Dubai you might even feel like a king.
But it's really about treating everybody well.Basic Human Rights.

I can only speak from my own experience of the people from SE Asia that come to work in my family and friends companies. I can categorically assure you that their lives are hugely enhanced by coming to the UAE. Not all employers are d!ckheads and labour laws have changed a lot over the past 15 years or so. Don't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail.

I was living in India before that & I can tell you that UAE is definitely not what you have in mind. Qatar, eventually but I do not go there because I do not support their mentality.

Although salaries are not high for basic jobs, workers get free food & housing, can save money & usually go for holidays home 2 months every two years (& feel like kings there). That does not seems enought as per our European standards but live few months in Bangladesh & you will understand that this is a lifetime opportunity for them to buy a house for their family, send their kids to school...

[Deleted]

Alrighty.....

www.firstpost.com/world/the-shameful-slavery-of-gulf-workers-why-we-dont-give-a-damn-336787.html

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/sacked-by-text-the-indian-workers-who-built-dubai-1831651.html

www.vice.com/en_uk/video/the-slaves-of-dubai

Not one daily mail link in sight.

[ANE*]

I agree with these articles but this was 4-7 years ago. You have to understand how fast things change here. I am sure we will always find abusive companies but I swear that after being under the media fire because of that, UAE has undertaken big changes (legal) in the way it threats workers unlike QATAR that still behave like a modern slavery ground.

[Deleted]

It's not unique to Dubai, People are always going to be taken advantage off when they are desperate.
For the sake of the families i met while in Kerala, i do hope you are right.It's just we all need to say something and point at the bad stuff and street art does that so well.And it looks pretty,Sometimes.

[Argiebaji]

ANE* It is great that you are standing up for Dubai... However...

It just feels misjudged that Highly rated and 'respected' street artists are in the UAE plying their wears..

It leaves a really nasty taste in my mouth!

The likes of Ben Eine, Ron English, d*face, Blek le rat etc (see full list here www.dubaiwalls.com/artists/ ) are quietly supporting a country and regime that has massive Human Rights issues, Huge issues with homosexuality, Sexual Equality issues, 'Stoning and flogging' issues! , torture in custody issues... to name a few!! That's before you look at the environmental impact that Dubai has!!!!

It doesn't sit right with me at all... even Banksy's PR is Instagraming and getting in on the act out there too ... !! Wrong on so many levels??!!

[ANE*]

Apr 4, 2016 10:31:22 GMT 1 Argiebaji said:

ANE* It is great that you are standing up for Dubai... However...

It just feels misjudged that Highly rated and 'respected' street artists are in the UAE plying their wears..

It leaves a really nasty taste in my mouth!

The likes of Ben Eine, Ron English, d*face, Blek le rat etc (see full list here www.dubaiwalls.com/artists/ ) are quietly supporting a country and regime that has massive Human Rights issues, Huge issues with homosexuality, Sexual Equality issues, 'Stoning and flogging' issues! , torture in custody issues... to name a few!! That's before you look at the environmental impact that Dubai has!!!!

It doesn't sit right with me at all... even Banksy's PR is Instagraming and getting in on the act out there too ... !! Wrong on so many levels??!!

Some artist value "moral", other "money". Personally, I always had issue with "commissions" so I share your idea of "nasty taste in the mouth" but how could I not be happy to see Street Art in the city I live in; at least for esthetical purpose...

Also, just to clarify again what happens here because I cannot let lies go through:

-> Could you develop the massive human right issues? Sure, Europe has not problem to pay Turkey to get ride of the refugee "issue". I guess this is not the same problem... Should I remind everyone that today, more than 30% of Lebanon's population is made of Syrian refugees? When we complain about 0.01% of them!

-> Although not "officially", for political reasons, Dubai is quite "gay friendly". Yes, there a parties at nightclubs just for them, surprised? (& authorities are aware of it...)

-> There is no "Stoning and flogging" here, neither hands are cut... but you can travel to Singapore for caning if you want!

-> Environmental impact of a city in the middle of Sand Dunes?! That is a joke I hope!

-> Sexual equality issues? Women work, drive, go to the beach, go shopping, decide to were the veil of not...

[Argiebaji]

ANE* I think we will have to agree to disagree.

A simple search on the internet finds issues within the UAE on many levels. However you live there so we will have to leave it at that. See links below for recent UAE Human rights Stories .. I can find more if you wish?

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/19/us-canadian-libyan-businessmen-charged-united-arab-emirates-torture-terrorism-accusations

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/14/businessmen-uae-tortured-into-confessions-un-report

www.theguardian.com/law/2015/dec/22/gay-british-man-avoids-extradition-to-dubai

[ANE*]

Apr 4, 2016 11:05:01 GMT 1 Argiebaji said:

ANE* I think we will have to agree to disagree.

A simple search on the internet finds issues within the UAE on many levels. However you live there so we will have to leave it at that. See links below for recent UAE Human rights Stories .. I can find more if you wish?

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/19/us-canadian-libyan-businessmen-charged-united-arab-emirates-torture-terrorism-accusations

www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/14/businessmen-uae-tortured-into-confessions-un-report

www.theguardian.com/law/2015/dec/22/gay-british-man-avoids-extradition-to-dubai

Yeah, I guess we can discuss about it during hours but again, if we look closely, I am sure we can find dirty laundry everywhere. UAE is not perfect but I believe it is on a good way. At least effort are done to make things better. I am definitely not saying it is the best country in the world but I cannot let clichés about it go through when it is totally exaggerated or unfair.

We are here for art so let's talk art again...

My last purchase (yesterday):

[Deleted]

Apr 4, 2016 10:31:22 GMT 1 Argiebaji said:

ANE* It is great that you are standing up for Dubai... However...

It just feels misjudged that Highly rated and 'respected' street artists are in the UAE plying their wears..

It leaves a really nasty taste in my mouth!

The likes of Ben Eine, Ron English, d*face, Blek le rat etc (see full list here www.dubaiwalls.com/artists/ ) are quietly supporting a country and regime that has massive Human Rights issues, Huge issues with homosexuality, Sexual Equality issues, 'Stoning and flogging' issues! , torture in custody issues... to name a few!! That's before you look at the environmental impact that Dubai has!!!!

It doesn't sit right with me at all... even Banksy's PR is Instagraming and getting in on the act out there too ... !! Wrong on so many levels??!!

Spot on, tried to ignore it in the hope it would just fade away. The only real surprises in the artist list is to see Ron English, who has built his career around ad busting and a strong anti consumerist agenda,  Roa, who is one of the least materialistic people I've met and whose work is genuinely based around a pretty ethical set of concerns, and why the f**k Icy and Sot are painting there, I don't know. The fee must have been unprecedented. The event is run and owned by Meraas Holdings, a quick google will show you they're an holding company owned by the government with close links to Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I can only think the money was just too good to turn down. The project is the absolute antithesis of "Street Art" and the participants should hang their heads in shame. In my humble opinion of course ;-)

[Argiebaji]

''The project is the absolute antithesis of "Street Art" and the participants should hang their heads in shame.'' Nuart festival .. Spot on!

[Deleted]

Apr 4, 2016 11:34:26 GMT 1 Argiebaji said:

''The project is the absolute antithesis of "Street Art" and the participants should hang their heads in shame.'' Nuart festival .. Spot on!

It's as valid IMO as the walls on a location such as Village Underground, Shoreditch that are funded by business revenue. If anything the Dubai project has more credibility because as pointed out below this is in effect paid for by the Dubai Royals.

[sakyamuni]

So this is what you guys call progress ?

Domestic violence is permitted under UAE law. Article 53 of the UAE's penal code allows the imposition of “chastisement by a husband to his wife and the chastisement of minor children” so long as the assault does not exceed the limits prescribed by Sharia, or Islamic law. Article 56 of the UAE's personal status code obligates women to “obey” their husbands. In 2010, the UAE’s Federal Supreme Court issued a ruling—citing the UAE penal code—that sanctions beating and other forms of punishment or coercion by husbands on their wives, provided they do not leave physical marks.

The October 5, 2010 court ruling states that, "Although the husband has the right to discipline his wife in accordance with article 53 of the penal code, he must abide by conditions setting limits to this right, and if the husband abuses this right to discipline, he shall not be exempt from punishment."

The court also found the man guilty of "abusing his Shari'a rights" when disciplining his wife because of the severity of that attack. The judgment states that, "The court, convinced of the appearance of injuries on the bodies of the plaintiffs, has overridden the defendant's right to discipline due to his use of severe beatings." In effect, the Supreme Court validated the penal code's legalization of domestic violence, but found that in this case the abuse went too far.

[sakyamuni]

Things are just getting better and better

In August 2014, the UAE issued a counter-terrorism law that will give UAE authorities the power to prosecute peaceful critics, political dissidents and human rights activists as terrorists. The law classifies a broad range of peaceful and legitimate conduct as terrorism offenses and provides for the death penalty for, among other things, undermining national unity.

The UAE continued to use a repressive 2012 cybercrime law to prosecute critics of the government. On March 10, 2014, a court found Emirati nationals Khalifa Rabia and Othman al-Shehhi guilty of criticizing state security on Twitter, sentencing them to five years in prison and fining them 500,000 AED (US$98,378). The day after Rabia’s arrest, the government-linked Emirati television channel 24.ae aired a piece analyzing in detail his Twitter account, accusing him of “affiliation with secret cells,” and referring to his use of Twitter hashtags such as #UAE_freemen as evidence.

On November 25, the Federal Supreme Court sentenced Osama al-Najer to three years in jail for charges that included “damaging the reputation of UAE institutions” and “communicating with external organisations to provide misleading information.” Al-Najer had criticized the June 2013 conviction of 69 Emiratis with ties to an Islamist group and was quoted in a Human Rights Watch press release that contained credible allegations that the detainees had been tortured during interrogations.

In January 2014, authorities denied entry to a Human Rights Watch staff member and placed two others on the blacklist as they left the country in the immediate aftermath of the release of Human Rights Watch’s 2014 World Report. According to UAE immigration law, the blacklist includes the names of individuals prohibited to enter the country “for being dangerous to public security.”

[sakyamuni]

This is the new "street art" of the 21st century, you can attack religion, brands, anything you like, but not the financial hubs like Dubai, Hong kong, Singapore or London's city... Don't bite the hand that feeds you...

[ANE*]

There is a difference between what is the law (it can be a political façade - the article 53 you presented) & what is actually applied by the police/authority (the "abused right" of this man that you presented too).

Weed is illegal in France but everybody smoke it & never go jail...

Regarding the government abuse of "power & control", tell me... I am French! http//www.theverge.com/2016/1/29/10860964/france-state-of-emergency-muslim-paris-attacks

[ANE*]

Apr 4, 2016 12:06:35 GMT 1 sakyamuni said:

This is the new "street art" of the 21st century, you can attack religion, brands, anything you like, but not the financial hubs like Dubai, Hong kong, Singapore or London's city... Don't bite the hand that feeds you...

I believe you can criticize anyone as long as you do it based on facts (i.e. not only media sources) & avoiding only doing it based on your cultural point of view. I only defend Dubai because you just provide me with biased arguments coming from one side. You need to see behind the scene... If you want to come here; I invite you to crash at my place!

[BKBOI]

Apr 4, 2016 11:58:09 GMT 1 sakyamuni said:

So this is what you guys call progress ?

Domestic violence is permitted under UAE law. Article 53 of the UAE's penal code allows the imposition of “chastisement by a husband to his wife and the chastisement of minor children” so long as the assault does not exceed the limits prescribed by Sharia, or Islamic law. Article 56 of the UAE's personal status code obligates women to “obey” their husbands. In 2010, the UAE’s Federal Supreme Court issued a ruling—citing the UAE penal code—that sanctions beating and other forms of punishment or coercion by husbands on their wives, provided they do not leave physical marks.

The October 5, 2010 court ruling states that, "Although the husband has the right to discipline his wife in accordance with article 53 of the penal code, he must abide by conditions setting limits to this right, and if the husband abuses this right to discipline, he shall not be exempt from punishment."

The court also found the man guilty of "abusing his Shari'a rights" when disciplining his wife because of the severity of that attack. The judgment states that, "The court, convinced of the appearance of injuries on the bodies of the plaintiffs, has overridden the defendant's right to discipline due to his use of severe beatings." In effect, the Supreme Court validated the penal code's legalization of domestic violence, but found that in this case the abuse went too far.

Why are you criticizing the implementation of Sharia law in a Muslim country?

[sakyamuni]

Apr 4, 2016 12:38:24 GMT 1 BKBOI said:

Apr 4, 2016 11:58:09 GMT 1 sakyamuni said:

So this is what you guys call progress ?

Domestic violence is permitted under UAE law. Article 53 of the UAE's penal code allows the imposition of “chastisement by a husband to his wife and the chastisement of minor children” so long as the assault does not exceed the limits prescribed by Sharia, or Islamic law. Article 56 of the UAE's personal status code obligates women to “obey” their husbands. In 2010, the UAE’s Federal Supreme Court issued a ruling—citing the UAE penal code—that sanctions beating and other forms of punishment or coercion by husbands on their wives, provided they do not leave physical marks.

The October 5, 2010 court ruling states that, "Although the husband has the right to discipline his wife in accordance with article 53 of the penal code, he must abide by conditions setting limits to this right, and if the husband abuses this right to discipline, he shall not be exempt from punishment."

The court also found the man guilty of "abusing his Shari'a rights" when disciplining his wife because of the severity of that attack. The judgment states that, "The court, convinced of the appearance of injuries on the bodies of the plaintiffs, has overridden the defendant's right to discipline due to his use of severe beatings." In effect, the Supreme Court validated the penal code's legalization of domestic violence, but found that in this case the abuse went too far.

Why are you criticizing the implementation of Sharia law in a Muslim country?

I am not criticizing anything, just quoting some statements. The issue of sharia law in a Muslim country is not the topic here. The issue is that UAE ratified all the human rights treaty forbidding such legislation and yet they maintain this provision, and the supreme court legalize it. States are free to ratify or not international convention, but once they do they should expect to be challenged in their implementation. This is no "civilization battle" or the West trying to rule the world, this is just today's international regulation. On a side note, you may not be aware of it, but quite a few places in the world had to shake a bit the "moral order" in order to gain some freedom... But maybe you regret the time when the church in Europe could sentence someone to death for blasphemy in two seconds. The wisdom of God they called it... Good old days

[BKBOI]

Maybe the UAE agrees with the treaty but they are having a hard time dealing with the fact that there is no such thing as separation of church and state in Islam.

You say that I am implying that the West is trying to rule the world. No, they are trying to impose their values to countries that are just learning how to deal with freedom and democracy.

There was no bigger power in Europe that told the Catholic Church that what they did was wrong. The people decided that the Catholic Church was abusive and revolted against them without anyone telling them to do so. All I am saying, let these people make their mistakes and let them figure it out. But the west can't afford to since it will be disrupting our precious oil supplies.

I am actually happy that these street artists were able to paint in UAE. I hope that the people will not only look at the art but actually research more about the backgrounds of some of these artists who were engaged in subversive activities. Hopefully that will inspire the local population to start tagging their walls to send a message to their government when they feel that their leaders are too oppressive or corrupt. Change has to come from within.

[Deleted]

Apr 4, 2016 12:38:24 GMT 1 BKBOI said:

Apr 4, 2016 11:58:09 GMT 1 sakyamuni said:

So this is what you guys call progress ?

Domestic violence is permitted under UAE law. Article 53 of the UAE's penal code allows the imposition of “chastisement by a husband to his wife and the chastisement of minor children” so long as the assault does not exceed the limits prescribed by Sharia, or Islamic law. Article 56 of the UAE's personal status code obligates women to “obey” their husbands. In 2010, the UAE’s Federal Supreme Court issued a ruling—citing the UAE penal code—that sanctions beating and other forms of punishment or coercion by husbands on their wives, provided they do not leave physical marks.

The October 5, 2010 court ruling states that, "Although the husband has the right to discipline his wife in accordance with article 53 of the penal code, he must abide by conditions setting limits to this right, and if the husband abuses this right to discipline, he shall not be exempt from punishment."

The court also found the man guilty of "abusing his Shari'a rights" when disciplining his wife because of the severity of that attack. The judgment states that, "The court, convinced of the appearance of injuries on the bodies of the plaintiffs, has overridden the defendant's right to discipline due to his use of severe beatings." In effect, the Supreme Court validated the penal code's legalization of domestic violence, but found that in this case the abuse went too far.

Why are you criticizing the implementation of Sharia law in a Muslim country?

Because that's his right.

[Daniel Silk]

Apr 4, 2016 13:41:19 GMT 1 BKBOI said:

Maybe the UAE agrees with the treaty but they are having a hard time dealing with the fact that there is no such thing as separation of church and state in Islam.

You say that I am implying that the West is trying to rule the world. No, they are trying to impose their values to countries that are just learning how to deal with freedom and democracy.

There was no bigger power in Europe that told the Catholic Church that what they did was wrong. The people decided that the Catholic Church was abusive and revolted against them without anyone telling them to do so. All I am saying, let these people make their mistakes and let them figure it out. But the west can't afford to since it will be disrupting our precious oil supplies.

I am actually happy that these street artists were able to paint in UAE. I hope that the people will not only look at the art but actually research more about the backgrounds of some of these artists who were engaged in subversive activities. Hopefully that will inspire the local population to start tagging their walls to send a message to their government when they feel that their leaders are too oppressive or corrupt. Change has to come from within.

Yeah, its not easy for us to judge other cultures and as you say, in some ways they need to develop themselves and learn from their own mistakes, rather than us being pushy all over the World with our own beliefs and values that have taken us thousands of years to get to this stage, and who's to say what we are doing is always right.

[kaos]

Apr 4, 2016 14:07:16 GMT 1 Atom Gallery said:

I think is quite easy for us to judge other cultures when they are full of hatred and bigotry.

Wow! That's a broad brush in your hand buddy.

[Daniel Silk]

#DubaiWalls The start of street art at City Walk

[Daniel Silk]

#DubaiWalls The start of street art at City Walk

[Daniel Silk]

#DubaiWalls: The new street art scene at City Walk

[Daniel Silk]

#DubaiWalls: AIKO at City Walk