The use of modern technology and online presence play a vital role in providing art enthusiasts with a platform to explore exhibitions while ensuring their safety amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, AlBahie Auction House officials have said.

“This is a good idea especially for collectors, people who love and are enthusiastic about art,” AlBahie auctioneer and senior client liaison Ayoub Bouali told Gulf Times, as he lauded the efforts of museums and art galleries in Qatar for giving people with easy access to view high-definition images of numerous artworks and collections virtually.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar Museums noted that Google Arts & Culture found a way to virtually visit various museums around the world, including the Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar, and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

Google Arts & Culture, in partnership with different museums worldwide, serves as a digital platform that also showcases a wide range of online exhibits and collections from various artists.

“Other museums internationally do the same thing, so it is a good thing and a good idea”, Bouali stressed.

He said AlBahie will also start adopting new technology via its online auction of contemporary art tomorrow (August 8, Saturday), featuring 32 works by 11 Qatari artists. The artworks are showcased in high-resolution for preview.

“For this auction, we’ll do it as we used to do, which will be live, but the only thing is that audience will not be here but they can participate through our platform. They will see what is happening here, the auction proper, the bidding, through the camera”, Bouali said, adding that such set up aims to ensuring the safety of all.

AlBahie's head of sale Arbia Khssib echoed Bouali’s view saying that people should be given options and opportunities to take part in such events despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

She underscored the importance of art and culture appreciation, describing it as “the greatest sides that keep on protecting humanity so we need to keep it active and working.”

“It is a global situation, it’s a struggle for all of us, but it won’t stop us from doing what we love to do, like before this auction, we hosted two other categories during the Covid-19,” Khssib said.

However, she pointed out that while she still prefers the traditional live auction with the actual interaction, going online due to the Covid-19 pandemic would be the solution.

For the upcoming auction, she said AlBahie wants to introduce a new category that will support young Qatari artists as part of its efforts to constantly improve and innovate its programme.

The artists are: Maryam Faraj al-Suwaidi, Mohamed Faraj al-Suwaidi, Sheikh Mubarak Nasser al-Thani, Manar Ahmad al-Muftah, Muna Khalid al-Bader, Ahmad Khalid al-Jufairi, Khalifa Hamad al-Marri, Abdullah Najib al-Kuwari, Aisha Saleh al-Fadhala, Sara al-Buainain, and Shouq al-Mana.

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