On Show at the Qatar Museums

Qatar Museums is launching an array of exhibitions at the end of October, catering to diverse tastes. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:

Dan Flavin | Donald Judd: Doha

October 25, 2023 – February 24, 2024QM Gallery – Al Riwaq

Dan Flavin, untitled, 1970, blue and red fluorescent light, modular units, each made of two 8-foot (244 cm) vertical fixtures and 2 8-foot (244 cm), horizontal fixtures: length variable, © 2023 Stephen Flavin/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, Courtesy David Zwirner

QM Gallery Al Riwaq will feature an eagerly awaited exhibition showcasing the work of Dan Flavin (1933-1996) and Donald Judd (1928-1994), two monumental figures of Minimalism. This exhibition examines their shared exploration of material, color, and form. It marks the first substantial museum presentation to delve into their artistic dialogue in nearly two decades. The exhibition is curated by Michael Govan and Jennifer King and is organized in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and Qatar Museums.

De/Constructed Meaning

October 26, 2023 – March 5, 2024Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

“De/Constructed Meanings” is a collaborative project with VCUarts Qatar faculty and staff, focusing on an installation that serves as a sand-based writing tool, exploring the evolution of Arabic script interpretations. This work applies Arabic words through the lens of deconstruction theory by Jacques Derrida, inquiring into the postcolonial shifts in the culture created, consumed, and exported in the Arab region.

Cities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project

October 26, 2023 – March 5, 2024Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

“City Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project,” conceived by Abed Al Kadiri, emerged during the pandemic-induced isolation. The project involves 59 handmade books sent to artists across 20 countries worldwide, who were invited to reflect on their unique approaches to this time of uncertainty and isolation. This project presents human life in a suspended state during the pandemic, emphasizing the power of art and dialogue during isolation.

Mehdi Moutashar: Introspection as Resistance

October 26, 2023 – March 5, 2024Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

Mehdi Moutashar, Three 60-degree Folds and two Squares, 2021, Painted steel, painted wood, elastic thread, 141 x 191 cm.

Mehdi Moutashar’s first solo exhibition in Qatar showcases a variety of works across different mediums. His art bridges contemporary art with the heritage of the Arab-Muslim world, drawing inspiration from Arabic calligraphy and ornamental patterns. His production challenges traditional categories, including Abstraction, Minimalism, or Op-Art. This exhibition reflects an unparalleled understanding of the region’s aesthetic traditions, reimagined and propelled into the present by the artist.

Distilled Lessons: Abstraction in Arab Modernism

October 26, 2023 – March 5, 2024Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

This exhibition explores how Arab modernism distinguishes itself through experimentation in abstraction. It spotlights how regional artists incorporate elements from the rich Arab-Muslim heritage, particularly calligraphy and ornamentation, into their work. The presentation features pieces from the Mathaf collection and is curated by Amin Alsaden.

Rachid Koraichi, Scrutateur de l’arrière passion, 1985, acrylic on paper and marouflage on canvas, 203.2 x 301 cm.

About Qatar Museums

Qatar Museums (QM) is the main institution for art and culture, offering cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programs. QM is dedicated to preserving, expanding, and sharing Qatar’s cultural treasures and historical landmarks, extending its influence to the MENASA region. Led by Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, QM has established Qatar as a dynamic hub for arts, culture, and education. It plays a vital role in promoting innovation, diversity, and progress, fostering community engagement, sparking cultural dialogues, and championing environmental sustainability. QM has established itself since its inception in 2005, with institutions such as the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, and more. The organisation’s initiatives, including the Creative Hub, fuel artistic talent and contribute to building a robust cultural infrastructure. At the core of QM’s mission lies a deep connection to Qatar’s heritage, an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, and a passion for generating value through innovation.

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