Report on Global Art Forum_7

The staging of this year’s Global Art Forum at Art Dubai set the tone perfectly for what we were about to view: an animated, performative event. North African throws draped across the seating; potted palms flanked the platform; TV monitors intermittently blared ad-breaks, one featuring a group of Chinese girls enthusiastically singing in front of an SUV. You were not quite sure what the set was modeled after—perhaps a television talk show?—nor were you ever certain what would happen there next. On stage, quick-tongued hosts sat on sofas and were visited by a range of guests: writers, artists, curators and musicians, including the legendary front man of REM, Michael Stipe. GAF was by no means your typical conference with a series of talking heads presenting dry Power Points.  

• United Arab Emirates