* Infinite Dimensions features 55 artworks created by 19 artists
Qatar Museums (QM) opened the Infinite Dimensions exhibition Monday at the Doha Fire Station, featuring more than 55 artworks created by 19 artists during their nine-month Artist in Residence programme.
The exhibition is being held under the patronage of QM Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Garage Gallery - the 700sqm exhibition space - until September 1.
“Infinite Dimensions reflects the world-class artistic talent of Qatar’s creative community and is another example of how this programme offers artists a chance to develop their practices. One of the reasons we accept submissions across a wide range of mediums is to encourage interdisciplinary and inclusive artmaking,” Fire Station director Khalifa al-Obaidli said in a press statement.
“This exhibition beautifully showcases these two components. I am delighted to celebrate these artists as we end our season and look ahead to their future endeavours,” he added.
Visitors will have the chance to discover and explore local contemporary art, through the display of a range of artworks, practices and mediums such as sculpture, painting, video and sound works.
The exhibition, which encouraged participating artists in the 2018-2019 residency to examine conceptualism in their artistic practices, was organised by Fire Station curators: Dr Bahaa Abudaya, curator of Contemporary Art; and Saida al-Khulaifi, associate curator and senior exhibition and residence programme co-ordinator.
“Infinite Dimensions is a very unusual exhibition for the local art scene, because it is exploring one of the most complicated and problematic contemporary art subjects — the question of conceptualism. It is the result of a very constructive and critical discussion between the curators and the artists at the Fire Station,” Dr Abudaya said.
This unique exhibition, organised around three sections: 'Tangible Spectrums', 'The Edge of Thoughts' and 'Visual Sphere', marks the end of a highly successful season of the Artist in Residence Programme – an annual initiative that nurtures creative talent from across the country.
“Infinite Dimensions is the result of a nine-month dynamic process of working with the artists and reflects their growth and development. The idea versus execution is a core theme that guided this process, and the exhibition shows multiple outcomes experimenting with concepts such as ideas, mediums, sound and light,” al-Khulaifi said.
Tangible Spectrums includes artworks aimed at exploring abstract concepts such as the subconscious, dreams and nightmares, and translate them into concrete visualisations.
One of the showcased works in this section is Jordanian artist Alaa Bata’s 'Better Luck Next Time' (2019), a door in the middle of the gallery space with an egg on its handle. It also features the works of Guillaume Rousere (France), Nourbanu Hijazi (Saudi Arabia), Hassan Zeid Manasra (Jordan), Faisal al-Hajri (Qatar) and Michael Perrone (the United States).
Meanwhile, the theme of belonging – in a school, society or country – is explored in 'The Edge of Thoughts' section. Using abstract forms, vibrant colours, objects, movement and light, these artists’ personal stories are reflected in their artwork.
Multi-disciplinary Qatari artist Maryam al-Ameri’s dark humour and a distinct colour pallet evoke memory and mood in her cinematic piece, titled 'School Dress' (2019). Additional artists represented in this section include Rouda A al-Khori (Qatar), Shaikha al-Hardan (Qatar), Sarah al-Ansari (Qatar), Abdulla al-Kuwari (Qatar) and Mohamed Faraj al-Suwaidi (Qatar).
In the 'Visual Sphere' section, themes of popular culture, local landscape, outer space and fantasy creatures are presented through sound, light, video and performance art, encouraging the visitors to interact with each piece.
This section showcases the work of Egyptian artist Eman Makki, 'Printer Up Above the World So High' (2019), which transcends the present moment and continues onward indefinitely with a printer that prints 100bn dots on a roll of paper in reference to the 100bn stars of the universe.
Other artists represented in this section include Jesse Payne (the United States), Sidra Zubairi (Pakistan), Lolwa al-Solaiti (Qatar), Sara al-Fadaaq (Qatar), Nayla Ahmad al-Mulla (Qatar), Federica Visani (Italy) and Guillaume Rousere (France).
A catalogue will accompany Infinite Dimensions, featuring an essay on the subject of conceptualism by Dr Abudaya as well as artist statements and biographies.
The exhibition is being held under the patronage of QM Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Garage Gallery - the 700sqm exhibition space - until September 1.
“Infinite Dimensions reflects the world-class artistic talent of Qatar’s creative community and is another example of how this programme offers artists a chance to develop their practices. One of the reasons we accept submissions across a wide range of mediums is to encourage interdisciplinary and inclusive artmaking,” Fire Station director Khalifa al-Obaidli said in a press statement.
Dr Bahaa Abudaya and Saida al-Khulaifi brief reporters on the artworks displayed at the Infinite Dimensions exhibition yesterday at the Doha Fire Station. PICTURES: Othman Khalid and supplied
Jesse Payne used oil on Belgian linen mounted on a panel for his 'Awakening Slave', 2019.
Infinite Dimensions will be on view until September 1
The exhibition is being held at the Garage Gallery - the 700sqm exhibition space at the Fire Station.
“This exhibition beautifully showcases these two components. I am delighted to celebrate these artists as we end our season and look ahead to their future endeavours,” he added.
Visitors will have the chance to discover and explore local contemporary art, through the display of a range of artworks, practices and mediums such as sculpture, painting, video and sound works.
The exhibition, which encouraged participating artists in the 2018-2019 residency to examine conceptualism in their artistic practices, was organised by Fire Station curators: Dr Bahaa Abudaya, curator of Contemporary Art; and Saida al-Khulaifi, associate curator and senior exhibition and residence programme co-ordinator.
“Infinite Dimensions is a very unusual exhibition for the local art scene, because it is exploring one of the most complicated and problematic contemporary art subjects — the question of conceptualism. It is the result of a very constructive and critical discussion between the curators and the artists at the Fire Station,” Dr Abudaya said.
This unique exhibition, organised around three sections: 'Tangible Spectrums', 'The Edge of Thoughts' and 'Visual Sphere', marks the end of a highly successful season of the Artist in Residence Programme – an annual initiative that nurtures creative talent from across the country.
“Infinite Dimensions is the result of a nine-month dynamic process of working with the artists and reflects their growth and development. The idea versus execution is a core theme that guided this process, and the exhibition shows multiple outcomes experimenting with concepts such as ideas, mediums, sound and light,” al-Khulaifi said.
Tangible Spectrums includes artworks aimed at exploring abstract concepts such as the subconscious, dreams and nightmares, and translate them into concrete visualisations.
One of the showcased works in this section is Jordanian artist Alaa Bata’s 'Better Luck Next Time' (2019), a door in the middle of the gallery space with an egg on its handle. It also features the works of Guillaume Rousere (France), Nourbanu Hijazi (Saudi Arabia), Hassan Zeid Manasra (Jordan), Faisal al-Hajri (Qatar) and Michael Perrone (the United States).
Meanwhile, the theme of belonging – in a school, society or country – is explored in 'The Edge of Thoughts' section. Using abstract forms, vibrant colours, objects, movement and light, these artists’ personal stories are reflected in their artwork.
Multi-disciplinary Qatari artist Maryam al-Ameri’s dark humour and a distinct colour pallet evoke memory and mood in her cinematic piece, titled 'School Dress' (2019). Additional artists represented in this section include Rouda A al-Khori (Qatar), Shaikha al-Hardan (Qatar), Sarah al-Ansari (Qatar), Abdulla al-Kuwari (Qatar) and Mohamed Faraj al-Suwaidi (Qatar).
In the 'Visual Sphere' section, themes of popular culture, local landscape, outer space and fantasy creatures are presented through sound, light, video and performance art, encouraging the visitors to interact with each piece.
This section showcases the work of Egyptian artist Eman Makki, 'Printer Up Above the World So High' (2019), which transcends the present moment and continues onward indefinitely with a printer that prints 100bn dots on a roll of paper in reference to the 100bn stars of the universe.
Other artists represented in this section include Jesse Payne (the United States), Sidra Zubairi (Pakistan), Lolwa al-Solaiti (Qatar), Sara al-Fadaaq (Qatar), Nayla Ahmad al-Mulla (Qatar), Federica Visani (Italy) and Guillaume Rousere (France).
A catalogue will accompany Infinite Dimensions, featuring an essay on the subject of conceptualism by Dr Abudaya as well as artist statements and biographies.
