Qatar Museums holds innovative workshops

QatarMuseums (QM) has teamed up with Volkswagen Group, the Goethe-InstitutGulf Region and the German embassy in Doha, to launch a series ofinnovative and inspiring workshops featuring some of the biggest namesin design. The initiative forms part of an ongoing commitment tobring one of the highlights of QM’s 2017 exhibition programme to thelocal community.The series, initiated by Volkswagen Group, supports the Driven By German Design exhibition that opened at QM Gallery Al Riwaq last month. “Theresponse to Driven By German Design has been phenomenal and highlightsthe widespread enthusiasm in Qatar for innovative design and theinfluence of some of the industry’s leading proponents – from thehistoric past to the present day,” QM’s chief strategic planning officerKhalid al-Ibrahim said.Focusing on theory and practice, it bringstogether world-leaders in automotive and industrial design to inspireQatar’s young creatives, students and enthusiasts.The first event takes place today (November 15) at 5.30pm at Al Riwaq and will explore the future of automotive design. Overthe course of an hour-long lecture, Peter Wouda, head of VolkswagenGroup’s Future Centre, will address the evolution of German automotivedesign – from its beginnings through to today’s developments, and lookahead to the future. In a broad ranging discussion, he will alsoexplore the future of mobility including self-driving vehicles, andprovide insights into the current work of his team at the VolkswagenGroup Future Center in Potsdam. The second event takes place onNovember 20 at Al Riwaq and features renowned industrial designer StefanDiez who has held a Professorship at Hochschule Kassel since October2017. In his lecture, Stefan Diez will give insights into the designprocess, share his experience working with different materials andoutline the importance of building prototypes. He will also explainthe impact of digitalisation on his work as a designer, exploring thechallenges but also the opportunities this creates. Diez is also inviting members of the community to join him for a guided tour through the exhibition after his lecture. Anevent by Dr Mateo Kries, director of Vitra Design Museum, will takeplace on November 27 at Al Riwaq. He will speak about his curatorialpractice and collecting design objects.