Did it live up to the buzz? The winners of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize 2009 were revealed way back in November. But since it has the notoriety of being the world’s richest art prize, offering a cool $1 million to winners, there was a presentation ceremony and lots of photo ops at Art Dubai. If you’re feeling lucky, enter your art for next year.

B-B-B-B-Bad art to the bone?

More than a few attendees said the economic crisis was not affecting the art market, but maybe they were being as effusive as their champagne. Gallerists have been publicly saying sales are strong and that collectors are better educated about contemporary art than ever before.

The crowd was moneyed and excited about the eye catching and commercial art. Potential collectors ran their polished fingernails over the polished art like Valay Shende’s life-size herd of golden water buffalo at the Shakshi Gallery space. Did the art lose some of its luster, because the next day signs popped up everywhere: please do not touch the artwork.