Citymaking in the GCC:
emotional attachment to a place
and responsible public art
10:00-18:00
Saturday, 9th of December
Al Safa Art & Design Library
Dubai, UAE

Inloco Talks 2023

Citymaking in the GCC:
emotional attachment
to a place
and responsible
public art
10:00-18:00
Saturday,
9th of December
Al Safa Art
& Design Library
Dubai, UAE
Inloco Initiative Talks is a captivating event organized by Inloco Initiative, where we delve into the realms of public art, urbanism, and architecture. We open the stage for GCC region professionals to reflect on the Gulf cities' identities and trace their evolution over the ages. What makes a place feel like home for a local, an expat, a nomad? How can we use public art and urbanism best practices to tackle environmental issues and support sustainable development goals? Join us in contemplating the pivotal role of public art as a catalyst for sustainability, healthy society and the cities we can call home.
INLOCO TALKS, was a one-day symposium dedicated to exploring the pivotal role of how public art can play a part in enhancing culture, community and achieving ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals within city spaces. The event was organized by the Inloco Initiative and Nuvo Buro Group, who are an international team of scientists, curators, artists, architects and art and education experts for public art sociocultural projects in urban spaces.

Held within Dubai and hosted at the Al Safa Art and Design Library, the INLOCO TALKS event highlighted a dynamic blend of public, professional and artist talks. Delving into the theme of city-scaping in the GCC (Gulf Countries Cities), reflecting on Gulf Cities identities and questioning how public and urban art practices can tackle environmental issues and support sustainable development goals. The day featured six enlightening panel discussions and interviews illuminating this crucial role between public art and social issues, and how it plays in defining our urban environments and how it makes the cities we live in a home.

INLOCO TALKS, was a one-day symposium dedicated to exploring the pivotal role of how public art can play a part in enhancing culture, community and achieving ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals within city spaces. The event was organized by the Inloco Initiative and Nuvo Buro Group, who are an international team of scientists, curators, artists, architects and art and education experts for public art sociocultural projects in urban spaces.


Held within Dubai and hosted at the Al Safa Art and Design Library, the INLOCO TALKS event highlighted a dynamic blend of public, professional and artist talks. Delving into the theme of city-scaping in the GCC (Gulf Countries Cities), reflecting on Gulf Cities identities and questioning how public and urban art practices can tackle environmental issues and support sustainable development goals. The day featured six enlightening panel discussions and interviews illuminating this crucial role between public art and social issues, and how it plays in defining our urban environments and how it makes the cities we live in a home.

The day started with Philosophical Coffee “The power of place: what spirits a cityscape?” hosted by Kiera Purdue, an English Language and Literature Specialist. The discussion seeked to explore factors that contribute to the influence and significance of cities and regions.

Next was the academic session “GCC cities identity over the years: how does modernity shape traditions?” The discussions started with, “Designing Tomorrow: The Strategic Influence of Physical Design on Everyday Urbanism”, the first part of the session was led by Khaled Alawadi, the Associate Professor of Sustainable Urbanism, Civil and Environmental Engineering at Khalifa University. Next was “Drawing on Sand: The making of Gulf Futurism”, led by Professor of Architecture at American University of Sharjah. Finishing was Alfrid Bustanov, Assistant Professor of European studies at University of Amsterdam who led the discussion of “Spaces of Islamic Culture in Public Art”.

Neda Salmanpour led a presentation titled “Dubai Public Art Initiative for Artists”. Neda, who is a contemporary artist and architectural designer herself, led the discussion which aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges for artists in creating public art in Dubai. “Public Spaces for People: the role of public art in modern urban spaces'' was moderated by Anastasia Davydova, the head of Inloco Initiative Partners Relations, who spoke with four different panelists about the role and impact of art in public spaces. The panelists were Evert Verhagen, an Urbanist and regeneration consultant, Mustafa Khamas, an Architect and the founder of Kart Group, Tosin Oshinowo, an Architect and the Curator of the Sharjah Triennal and Sanaz Askari, an Independent Art Curator and The Mine founder.

Artist and Performer Filippo Minelli held an artist talk about “MENA Landscapes and cultural hybrids” and to conclude the symposium hosted by Anastasia Nesterova, multimedia director, Inloco Initiative creative producer, who held the discussion “From the desert to metaverse”: phygital public art and VR/AR urban experiences.

Programme


10:00-11:00
Philosophical Coffee “The power of place: what spirits a cityscape?”
All conference speakers and guests are invited.
Moderator:
Kiera Purdue
English Language and Literature specialist, Managing Partner of StickyGinger
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Philosophical coffee event “The power of place: what spirits a cityscape?” is a thought-provoking discussion that seeks to explore the factors that contribute to the influence and significance of cities and regions. It aims to inspire attendees to think critically about the factors that contribute to each place's identity and uniqueness. By exploring diverse perspectives and sharing best practices, the event seeks to inspire participants to identify what makes places powerful and meaningful that benefit local communities, cultures, economies, and societies as a whole.

11:00-11:05
Welcome word by Inloco Dubai & Al Safa Art & Design Library

11:05-12:35
Session “GCC cities identity over years: how does modernity shape traditions?”
Designing Tomorrow: The Strategic Influence of Physical Design on Everyday Urbanism
Khaled Alawadi
Associate Professor of Sustainable Urbanism, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
Drawing on Sand: The making of Gulf Futurism
George Katodrytis
Professor of Architecture, at American University of Sharjah, Sharjah
Spaces of Islamic Culture in Public Art
Alfrid Bustanov
Assistant Professor of European studies, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam


12:35-12:45
BREAK

12:45-13:30
Presentation with Neda Salmanpour “Dubai Public Art Initiative for Artists”
Neda Salmanpour
Contemporary artist and architectural designer
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The “Dubai Public Art Initiative for Artists” is a discussion that aims to explore the opportunities and challenges for artists in creating public art in Dubai. Contemporary artist and architectural designer Neda Salmanpour will share her experiences, challenges, and success stories in creating comissioned public art in Dubai, discussing the selection process, cultural sensitivity, community engagement, and social consciousness in terms of public spaces design.

13:30-14:30
LUNCH BREAK

14:30-15:30
Panel Discussion “Public Spaces for People: the role of public art in modern urban spaces”
Evert Verhagen
Urbanist, regeneration consultant
Mustafa Khamash
Architect, Kart Group founder
Tosin Oshinowo
Architect, Sharjah Triennal Curator
Sanaz Askari
Independent Art Curator, The Mine founder
Moderator:
Anastasia Davydova
Inloco Initiative Partners Relations
Read more →
The panel discussion aims to explore the role and impact of art in public spaces, with a focus on promoting responsible and meaningful artistic expressions that engage and reflect the diverse communities they serve. During the discussion, panelists will delve into various aspects related to responsible public art, including the cultural sensitivity, community engagement, and the potential for art to spark dialogue and social change. This event brings together a panel of experts, community leaders, urban planners, architects, and social and cultural designers who share a common vision of transforming public spaces into vibrant, welcoming, and functional areas that enhance the quality of life for all.

16:00-17:00
Filippo Minelli’s artist talk “MENA Landscapes and cultural hybrids”
Filippo Minelli
Contemporary artist and performer

17:00-18:00
Discussion “From the desert to metaverse”: phygital public art and VR/AR urban experiences
Anastasia Nesterova
Multimedia director, Inloco Initiative сreative producer