
101 Strikes Again with Second Sale at Alserkal Avenue
By Global Art Daily Editorial Board
Published on November 21, 2020
This week, the UAE grassroots art collecting and research platform 101 presents its second curated sale Playing Spaces, featuring five non-gallery represented artists based in the UAE. On view at Alserkal Avenue and online, this edition also launches public programs, a podcast, and original research pieces.


1. Talal Al Najjar, Tuwatam (Fairuz), 2020. 30.5 x 8 x 5 cm. Image courtesy of 101. 2. Asma Belhamar, Facade Observation #3, 2019. Mixed media on canvas 61cm x 54cm. Image courtesy of 101.
Under the concept of Playing Spaces, the artwork selection is led and curated by writer Gaith Abdulla along with independent curator and writer Munira Al Sayegh, founders of 101. Playing Spaces presents works by Talal Al Najjar, Asma Belhamar, Alaa Edris, Nasir Nasrallah and Malda Smadi. The selection is on view online at www.101.art and in-person at Alserkal Avenue Warehouse 44 from November 21st to 28th, 2020.


3. Alaa Edris, Reem Dream X, 2015. Digital C print. 60x85cm. Image courtesy of 101. 4. Alaa Edris, Reem Dream 04, 2015. Digital C print. 60x90cm. Image courtesy of 101.
After its inaugural edition last summer in Abu Dhabi’s BAIT15, 101’s autumn sale takes place in Dubai’s creative district of Alserkal Avenue. With support from the Alserkal Arts Foundation and encouragement from the community of emerging and established art collectors, Playing Spaces confronts boundaries set between notions of the rigid and the whimsical. The works revolve around the notion of play, architecture, and social constructs.
“Without formal training, the notion of experimentation and self-sought alternative modes of learning are important for my process,” mentions Malda Smadi, an emerging artist featured in 101, who further adds that joining the initiative translates into “exposure, inclusion and reaching a wider audience.” Al Sayegh notes that “the audience will interact with a range of artists who have been producing for a longer time and who have attained a maturity in their work,” adding that “the practices of each artist that we have chosen are markedly different in terms of their aesthetics and subject matter.”
Without formal training, the notion of experimentation and self-sought alternative modes of learning are important for my process.
- Malda Smadi

The audience will interact with a range of artists who have been producing for a longer time and who have attained a maturity in their work.
- Munira Al Sayegh
101 encourages experienced and first-time collectors to support up-and-coming artists in the local art scene. 101 makes these artists' creations available to the very community that has progressively witnessed their creative processes. Featured artist Talal Al Najjar reflects that “101’s second sale gives me the possibility to share my work directly with art collectors, the wider art market, and art communities in the Gulf and beyond.”


6. Talal Al Najjar, Tuwatam (Jalis), 2020. 24.2 x 15.3 x 8 cm. Image courtesy of 101. 7. Talal Al Najjar, Tuwatam (Double-Headed), 2020. 33 x 12 x 10.2 cm. Image courtesy of 101.
101’s second sale gives me the possibility to share my work directly with
art collectors, the wider art market, and art communities in the Gulf and beyond.
- Talal Al Najjar
The experiential offer put together by 101 is a reflection of the UAE’s emerging grassroots movement. Vilma Jurkute, Director of Alserkal and its initiatives, remarks that “Alserkal’s artistic inquiry always stems from socially engaged, experimental, grounded in-context practices. 101 is a thoughtful reflection of a youth led collaborative platform that is challenging the traditional codings of the arts ecosystem, by taking over the public space of Alserkal Avenue through its alternative public programme and approach to exhibition making.”
101 is a thoughtful reflection of a youth led collaborative
platform that is challenging the traditional codings of the arts ecosystem.
- Vilma Jurkute


Alongside the sale, 101 debuts its public programming initiatives all ending at 1:01am. The opening on November 21 includes a Flashlight-guided Viewing of the artworks. To activate Alserkal late into the night, on Sunday 22 and Tuesday 24, visitors can join Creative Writing and Discussion Sessions starting at 11:30pm. On Friday 27, participants can join artist Talal Al Najjar for an Introductory Sculpture Workshop with found objects and recycled goods. In parallel, the 101 Conversations Podcast and original research papers launch on November 21 on 101’s website.
Visit 101’s website.
Follow 101 on Instagram.
Book a slot to visit the sale and 101’s public programs in Alserkal Avenue.
COVID-19 Note:
Visitors are encouraged to book their slot via the booking link. Exhibition spaces are managed according to current health regulations and disinfected regularly. Hand disinfectant and face masks are provided if needed. For additional information on health and safety regulations, please refer to announcements by local authorities.
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