In Dubai luxury is casual. A grocery run in a Lamborghini, Wagyu in mall burgers, sharks in a lobby. And a Refik Anadol multimedia artwork providing a languid backdrop to the reception of the hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown.
Titled Winds of Dubai, the intriguingly moody art showcases vivid three-dimensional sculptures from an expansive dataset of the city’s changing wind-speeds and temperatures. It is the LA-based media artist’s first public art piece in the Middle East, and I do a double take when I notice it: a fan of his work, I always assumed I would have to go to New York’s MOMA to finally see it in person, not randomly stumble upon a signature piece while checking into a hotel room.
Not surprisingly, the city’s food scene is similarly studded with culinary stars, creating menus with precious ingredients sourced from all over the world. Like Anadol’s winds, the culinary scene changes with consistent drama, attracting talent from everywhere. Where do you start? I use the influential Michelin guide to chart a gourmet food trail across the city.
