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AMCA issues statement in support of barred artists

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The Association for Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran and Turkey (AMCA) has expressed solidarity with the artists and academics denied entry into the United Arab Emirates. AMCA is an international organization whose aim is to advance the study of modern and contemporary art in the Arab World, Iran and Turkey.

Their statement in full:

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L’Internationale issues statement in solidarity with barred artists

L_Internationale statement

L’Internationale, a European confederation of six modern and contemporary art institutions, has issued a statement in support of Andrew Ross, Ashok Sukumaran and Walid Raad, who have been denied entry into the United Arab Emirates. The confederation works to create a space for art that connects museum collections, archives, technology and artistic research.

L’Internationale’s statement:

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From the Venice Biennale

Courtesy of Hans Haacke

Gulf Labor is an official participant at the 56th annual Venice Biennale, which runs until November 22nd. During our residency from July 29th to August 9th, our latest report about labor conditions on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will be made public as part of the “All the World’s Futures” exhibit curated by Okwui Enwezor.

Gulf Labor member Ashok Sukumaran denied entry into UAE

UAE bars entry to Indian artist with long history in the region

This week, Mumbai-based artist Ashok Sukumaran was denied a UAE visa to travel as an invited speaker and moderator at the March Meeting, an annual gathering of artists in Sharjah. Sukumaran has a long history of artistic work and commitments in the region including at the Sharjah Biennials (2009, 2011, 2013) and at events including Art Dubai and several prior editions of the March Meetings. His visa application by the hosts of this year’s March Meeting, to be held mid-May, was denied three times.

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Observations and Recommendations after Visiting Saadiyat Island and Related Sites, March 2014

DosandDonts
Dos and Donts, in a 6-person room for workers on Saadiyat Island

On the invitation of TDIC, master-developers of Saadiyat Island, members of Gulf Labor visited the worker accommodations on Saadiyat Island on March 17, and the Louvre and the Guggenheim sites on March 20, 2014. The below document outlines this group’s main observations, concerns and suggestions. These are also based on: a) visits to related off-island sites in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah; b) interviews with workers both in the UAE and in their home countries; c) discussions with informed local sources and; d) previous visits by members of Gulf Labor. Our recommendations for TDIC Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Foundation herein, are made with the sincere intention of cooperating with these institutions on their implementation.

Saadiyat Report Press Release (PDF)

Saadiyat Report 2014  (PDF)