Lindsay Pollock is in Abu Dhabi covering the art fair. She’s quite chuffed at the travel arrangements and accommodations but that hasn’t kept her from her appointed task–tracking down the deals. Unfortunately, for all the big-name Western art on offer, the sales seem to be confined to moderate price works by artists from the region:

PaceWildenstein President Marc Glimcher held court at his stand, featuring a solo-show of works by Alexander Calder, all owned by the artist’s heirs. Calder’s extraordinary 20-foot tall standing mobile ironically titled “Ordinary”  cost $100,000 to transport to the fair. The piece sat beach side, on offer for $45 million. […] A few red dots appeared on the walls, but mostly for Middle Eastern contemporary artworks priced under $20,000. Christie’s owner Francois Pinault was rumored to have bought photographs from Dubai’s B21 Gallery. Dubai collector Mohammed Afkhami pined for a reflective Anselm Reyle at Gagosian, priced $150,000, but was too late: already sold.

On the Road: Abu Dhabi (Lindsay Pollock)