Art Dubai Digital 2025: Rethinking the Intersection of Technology and Art
As technology reshapes our experience of the world, Art Dubai Digital 2025 explores the emotional and critical dimensions of this transformation. Launched in 2022, Art Dubai Digital serves as a distinct curated section within the larger Art Dubai fair, dedicated to influential artists, collectives, galleries, and platforms that define the digital art scene today.
Theme: "After the Technological Sublime"
This year’s theme, “After the Technological Sublime,” reflects a timely examination of the powerful consequences that technological advancements have on society. Curated by Gonzalo Herrero Delicado, the section encourages artists, collectors, and audiences to reconsider not only the tools of technology but also the profound questions they raise.
The concept of the sublime, originally derived from ancient Greek thought and revived in 17th-century Europe, captures a mixture of awe and fear when encountering vast natural forces. The technological sublime extends this idea to human-made innovations, which can inspire admiration as well as overwhelm us with anxiety over their implications.
Evolution of Art Dubai Digital
Art Dubai was the first international art fair to create a dedicated section for digital technologies. Initially focusing on the NFT boom, it has since expanded to include a diverse array of media, such as videos, installations, and even paintings. This year also sees the return of the Digital Summit, introduced in 2024, which showcases a robust program emphasizing ecological themes in art and technology.
The evolution of Art Dubai Digital includes a broader range of participants, including traditional galleries, digital collectives, and advisors, all contributing to the rapidly changing landscape of the digital art market.
Featured Galleries and Artists
Among the notable returning galleries is GAZELL.iO from London, celebrating a decade of exhibitions. They will showcase works by modern artists like CROSSLUCID and Sougwen Chung. TAEX, another London gallery, presents an eclectic selection featuring acclaimed artists such as Krista Kim and Alper Derinboğaz.
New entrants like Sevil Dolmaci and Nguyen Wahed will feature works from rising stars including Sara Ludy and Lu Yang. Excitement builds around Danae from Paris, with a focus on artist Agoria and digital artist Louis Paul Caron, whose work reflects on the climate emergency.
In addition to these international artists, several Dubai-based galleries are set to make an impact. Mondoir Art Gallery will present one of the largest booths in this section, alongside Inloco Gallery and Espace, showcasing local talents.
Innovative Digital Installations
Anticipation surrounds several innovative installations debuting at Art Dubai. Ouchhh Studio will unveil MotherEarth, the world’s first sculpture that integrates real-time climate change data with AI. This installation connects across continents with similar sculptures in Beijing and Mexico City, drawing visuals from NASA’s satellite network.
Another highlight will be Carbon Wake by kinetic artist BREAKFAST, a dynamic seven-meter-long installation that visualizes energy data via motion-tracking mechanics, transforming how we perceive real-time information.
Additionally, Retreat by Italian artist Jacopo Di Cera will consist of cable bundles and over 30 upcycled screens, serving as a stark reminder of the rapid destruction of the Brenva glacier in the Italian Alps.
Finally, AIM – Dream Machine by HX Collective will transform visitors’ dreams into a kaleidoscopic visual experience, adding an interactive and immersive layer to the exhibition.
Experimental Techniques and Media
Art Dubai Digital 2025 will prominently feature the application of artificial intelligence across various formats, such as video, virtual environments, and augmented reality. However, more importantly, the focus will be on what these works convey about our turbulent times. As the renowned architect Cedric Price articulated, “Technology is the answer, but what was the question?” This year, the art on display aims to stimulate conversations around the questions that arise from our engagement with technology.
Attend Art Dubai 2025
Art Dubai, recognized as the Middle East’s leading international art fair, opens at Madinat Jumeirah next week, showcasing over 500 international and regional artists. The event runs from April 17 (VIP opening) through April 20 (public dates), offering an expansive array of immersive installations, performances, talks, and events.
- One-day ticket: Dhs100
- Three-day ticket: Dhs200
- Free entry for children aged 18 and under, and university students.
This year’s program is not just a journey through different medium expressions but also a significant inquiry into the nature of contemporary existence as mediated by technology.
