Residents and visitors, particularly Culture Pass (CP) members, will have the opportunity to witness and take part in a number of art activities during February – from exhibitions to discussions and workshops, among others – organised in various locations by Qatar Museums and partner institutions (QM).
Led by senior art specialist Layla I Bacha, participants will be toured to Education City on February 8 from 5 to 6pm (exclusive to Culture Pass Plus and Family members) to experience a one-of-its-kind installation and show – the Seeroo Fi Al Ardh.
This final work and extensive project on Arab civilisation of the world-renowned artist the late Maqbool Fida Husain was commissioned by Qatar Foundation chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, in addition to a series of paintings that reflect the 99 names of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
The artwork, which features a giant mosaic of horses as its background, showcasing the artist’s love of the animals and Qatar’s equine heritage, highlights “the progress of humanity on land, in air and sea, and their inclination to utilise the surrounding resources to achieve their goals.”
QM will also hold a culture talk at the Fire Station Cinema titled, ‘The Freedom Experiment’ by cyclist and artist Toni Fares on February 12 (6 to 7pm).
The discussion will offer “an insightful look at how cycling can bring about mobility and new perspectives, as well as how it can provide an artistic inspiration.”
Fares will share his experience of combining cycling and photography and creating a unique journey and mode of expression.
Meanwhile, CP members can still visit the art installation “Into the Light” by artist Sougwen Chung at The Gallery at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar until February 22 from 9am to 5pm daily except Fridays.
With this unique artwork, Chung created original 3-dimensional drawings and sculptures to blend virtual and physical spaces. It is custom tailored to the interior spaces of the Gallery location and move through the movements of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suite No 2 in D Minor, performed by the legendary Yo-Yo Ma, from his 2018 recording of the suites, Six Evolutions.
To mark National Sport Day, Qatar Museums has also scheduled a tour for CP members to the National Museum of Qatar for the “All About Sport” storytelling session (family drop-in event and first come, first served) on February 15 from 4pm to 6pm, which will look at how people can stay healthy and strong.
QM is also inviting CP members to take part in the “Artist Encounters” with Asmaa al-Mannai on February 23 and 24 at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art from 4pm to 7pm.
“Mathaf has the unique opportunity to work with living artists to make meaning from our collection and exhibitions. Through the programme “Artist Encounters”, artists are invited to Mathaf to design a series of workshops that link an element of their personal creative process with an aspect related to the creation of the artworks in the Mathaf Collection,” QM said in an e-mail sent to CP members.
On February 10, 11, and 24, a Kufic calligraphy short course for beginners will be organised at the Museum of Islamic Art – Seminar Room from 10am to 12.30pm.
According to QM, the word 'Kufic' is related to the city of the same name in Iraq, Kufa, and was developed from Hijazi script. Kufic calligraphy is characterised by its bold vertical letters, which often resembles a modern design.
