This week in Dubai: Dom Art Projects opens as a new cultural destination
Dom Art Projects, Dubai’s newest private contemporary art institution, is set to open its doors with a vibrant programme of exhibitions, live performances and artist talks. Located in Al Khayat Avenue, the space aims to become a welcoming ‘home’ for the culturally curious, fostering dialogue, creativity and a sense of community in the UAE’s growing arts landscape.
Founded by Alisa Bagdonaite and Anna Pumpyanskaya, Dom Art Projects will showcase museum-grade exhibitions from emerging and mid-career artists. Its year-round programming includes artist-led workshops, guided tours and talks across multiple venues, including its exhibition hall, artist residency studios and what is expected to be Dubai’s first dedicated art and culture bookshop.
Exhibitions
The inaugural exhibition is centred on the concept of time—a theme connected to the institution’s name, as “dom” in Arabic means “always.”
The main exhibition hall features You Would Come Back There to See Me Again the Following Day by Japanese artist Michiko Tsuda, marking her UAE debut. The immersive installation investigates how evolving media influence human perception and the passage of time.
Also on view is Takir, a science art installation by ::vtol:: (Dmitry Morozov). Through sound, robotics and emergent systems, the work tells the story of the Aral Sea’s disappearance, unfolding in an endless loop that reflects geological transformation, human intervention and environmental change.
Live performances
Visitors will also experience a series of live performances. Sound artist Peter Aidu will present his interpretation of Steve Reich’s Piano Phase. Instead of using two pianists or tape loops, Aidu recreates the phasing technique by performing both parts simultaneously on two pianos.
Acclaimed performance and video artist Elena Kovylina will present Caryatid, in which she physically supports a wooden model of a traditional reed house. The performance symbolises the foundational yet often unacknowledged role of women within home, society and culture.
Artist talks, studio tours and continuing exhibitions
The opening weekend includes Dom Art Projects’ first series of Artist Talks. Visitors will also be able to explore the residency studios, home to artists such as Malaysian interdisciplinary creator Shamin Sharum and multidisciplinary artist Kirill Makarov, known for blending painting, computer graphics and game engines to create hybrid digital-natural environments.
A curated art-and-culture bookshop—described by Dom Art Projects as offering “time machines” that connect ideas across generations—will also be accessible to guests.
