XVA Gallery announced the opening of XVA BookClub, starting on 30/05/21, 6-7:30pm, repeating on the 30th of each month.
Leila Gharagozlou leads members of the XVA Book Club through discussion and analysis of the books in question each month. Starting with an introductory session where members can get to know each other and share their love of reading, five books will be voted on to start reading for the next month. Every session will be a chance for visitors to discuss and converse with fellow book-lovers about the book for that month, accompanied by fresh juice, tea and coffee and various snacks supplied by XVA Cafe. Tickets cost 100 AED per month to attend. Each member will also receive, as part of their membership, the book for the month and a 20% discount on all of XVA Cafe and Boutique.
Leila Gharagozlou, a self-described book-lover, admires the escapism, the ability to learn new things or develop new ideas through the nostalgic element of reading. While it’s so easy these days to just start watching TV shows through subscription services, reading allows development of one’s own imagination as an adult. No matter what one could watch on the TV, the thrill of a good book where you can’t put it down and you just have to stay up all night to finish it never gets old. A fan of all literary genres, particularly mysteries, Leila loves the idea of book clubs as it pushes oneself to go outside of their comfort zone. The group experience of the book club allows members to talk about their interpretations of it freely, learning about each other’s views, enhancing your experience.
As a place built around the idea of conversation and collaboration, XVA is thrilled to finally be able to host the XVA Book Club within its historic walls. In collaboration with Leila Gharagozlou, the book club will continue a history of community and education within XVA.
Established in 2003, XVA Gallery is one of the leading galleries in the Middle East that specializes in contemporary art from the Arab world and the Sub-continent. Exhibitions focus on works by the region’s foremost artists as well as those emerging onto the scene. The gallery’s artists express their different cultural identities and perspectives while challenging the viewer to drop prejudices and borders. XVA Gallery exhibits both locally and internationally; collaborating with galleries and participating in international art fairs, such as Art London, SH Contemporary and Art Basel Hong Kong in order to further expose Middle Eastern contemporary art.
XVA Gallery and XVA Art Hotel are located in Dubai’s heritage district, now called Al Fahidi Neighborhood. XVA founded and organized the Bastakiya Art Fair from 2007 – 2010 as part of its commitment to raising the profile of contemporary art practice in Dubai. In 2011 – 2013, XVA Gallery moved to DIFC but has since returned to the XVA location in Al Fahidi with more space. The convenient stock area allows for viewing many artists’ work in one location.
