Abdulmunim bin Issa Al Serkal, founder of Alserkal Avenue, confirmed that this destination was not established merely as a hub for the arts, but as a model that demonstrates what Dubai's cultural ecosystem can achieve when there is a sustainable vision that supports experimentation. In his interview with 'Emirates Today', he added that the experience began with creating a physical space that brings together artists, institutions, and art galleries, and over time, it has evolved into a comprehensive system that supports cultural production and builds creative communities in the heart of the Al Quoz area, balancing local identity roots with global openness. Al Serkal spoke about the transformation of Alserkal Avenue since its inception until now: 'This arts district was established as a model and proof of what Dubai's cultural ecosystem can achieve, so our initial focus was on creating a physical space capable of gathering artists, the public, and cultural institutions in one place, and creating the necessary conditions to nurture and develop cultural practice in the heart of our district.' He added: 'Through the accumulation of experience and achievements, this vision has matured to transcend the boundaries of place and build a system that focuses on supporting and stimulating experimentation, enabling cultural production by creating creative pathways to attract and nurture talent in the long term, as well as fostering cross-border collaboration, in addition to innovating platforms to highlight the narratives of our region to be seen and discussed on a global level. This evolutionary path reflects the transformation of our vision from a project aimed at establishing a hub for creativity and the arts to broadening the horizons of the cultural scene in Dubai and the region.' Al Serkal noted that establishing the district in the heart of the industrial Al Quoz area required imagination to explore what these spaces could offer culturally and socially, hence the challenge was to transform an area never previously linked to cultural production into a space and sanctuary for artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and all practitioners in the fields of culture, explaining that this transformation would not have been possible without a firm, long-term commitment to experimentation, alternative thinking, and building a creative community capable of survival and evolution, which required effort and time, as well as close cooperation with relevant authorities, particularly the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Between Traditional and Contemporary Al Serkal considers that the district has today become one of the most dynamic and influential cultural areas in the region, as there is proof that cultural structures can emerge and evolve in contexts that might not be conceivable, provided there is a clear vision and sustainable investment. He emphasized the importance of committing to a balance between rooting in identity and global openness, by offering cultural practices within the narratives and specificity of the region, while simultaneously engaging in conscious and impactful dialogues that cross knowledge fields and connect them. He explained that this approach achieves a balanced exchange between the local and global, between the traditional and contemporary through dialogue, not imitation, and thus produces a cultural space whose roots are firmly planted in the region and whose horizons are open, capable of effectively interacting with ideas, partnerships, and practices from all over the world. A Strategic Partnership Regarding the partnership that Alserkal Avenue has entered into with the Design Miami platform, the founder of the district said: 'The partnership was born from the convergence of our values and visions, especially our belief in the importance of building communities, elevating experimentation, and nurturing designers with visions and all pioneering experiences in the fields of creativity, so the partnership is a natural extension of this visionary convergence and a significant milestone in a journey that has spanned more than two decades in shaping cultural systems on both local and regional levels.' He pointed out that Design Miami is a leading global platform in design and unique pieces with over 20 years of experience in building unifying networks for leading galleries, designers, and creators of unique pieces, as well as collectors, whether individuals or institutions. He believes that establishing the presence of this platform in Dubai enhances the presence of the UAE and the region on the global cultural scene, as this partnership represents a new extension and a push to advance cultural practice and its impact across various domains of human knowledge and geographical extensions. He noted that the partnership came as a fruit of the continuous development of the region's broader cultural system, in addition to the alignment of visions with Design Miami, particularly concerning the importance of building and growing creative communities and supporting the arts, as well as reflecting the cultural maturity in considering design as a natural extension of the art scene, not an incidental addition to it, in addition to the alignment of visions and the belief in building creative communities, championing experimentation, and enhancing cultural exchange globally, alongside a shared ambition to position Dubai as an international destination for design and unique pieces. Al Serkal confirmed that this partnership will contribute to enriching the design scene by establishing a specialized and sustainable platform for design and unique pieces, accompanied by an annual fair and year-round programs, and these achievements will inevitably benefit the UAE's creative scene, foremost among them Emirati designers, and will also connect networks of art galleries, cultural institutions, collectors, and creators in the region and the world. Sustainability and the Values of Responsibility Abdulmunim Al Serkal stated that sustainability is treated as a methodology in the production, dissemination, and ensuring the longevity of culture over time, stressing a commitment to building cultural systems that elevate the values of responsibility, depth of approach, continuity, and freedom from the logic of achievements or fleeting flashes. He noted that on the technological front, the presence of the Design Miami platform in Dubai will enhance the openness of cultural structures to new domains, which will stimulate new forms of knowledge production. He informed that as the region strides rapidly in employing technological tools, it falls upon the cultural practice to thoughtfully consider the ways in which these tools can be harnessed to support research, experimentation, and innovate new forms of collaboration. He considers that engaging with technology is not merely keeping up with the times, but a starting point to interrogate its core and its capacity to contribute to generating cultural value, enhancing critical thinking, and developing more sustainable models for creative production.
