Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024

Ras Al Khaimah Art provides an immersive and sensory cultural experience to local and international visitors, bringing together a variety of art forms whilst stimulating dialogue between artists, authors, creatives, and the community.

Overview

Founded in 2013 as Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, in 2024 the festival returns as Ras Al Khaimah Art, exploring the theme In Motion, which challenges the concept of a new “normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic and beckons the audience to embrace the constant evolution of our diverse world. Amidst this evolving scene, movement becomes an opportunity to discover new cultures, reconnect with forgotten histories, and celebrate uniqueness. From generative AI and NFTs to space journeys and environmental movements, the Festival celebrates and critiques the power of motion and change.

Curated by Alfio Tommasini, photographer, curator, artistic director, and co-founder of Verzasca Foto Festival, this edition of Ras Al Khaimah Art bridges heritage and modernity through a curated display featuring 90 talented artists, alongside inspiring masterclasses, public talks, and live performances. Guided through the enchanting Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, visitors traverse storied pathways, encountering installations by local and international artists that harmonize with this year’s Festival theme.

Among the highlights is the exhibition ‘The Souq: Unveiling Human Echoes’ which explores the human experience, our interactions, movements, and existence on Earth. Delving into gender, culture, and spirituality, it aims to transport visitors on a profound "human condition" tour, encapsulating the highs and lows of our earthly journey.

The festival has an outdoor film screening programme, Friday Film Nights, which showcases a diverse selection of movies, from documentaries to narratives. Saturdays are designated to live performances, when Mahogany Jones brings together an eclectic blend of Hip Hop, Soul and Electro Pop. 

The Festival Speaker Series revolves around the theme Finding Meaning in Motion: Traversing the Past, Present, and Future. The symbiosis of the arts and sciences in education, environmental sustainability, and the fusion of art and technology are among the selected subjects of the Series.