Qatar's vision to become the 'art capital of the Middle East'

Qatar has unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance its public art scene as the country prepares to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

Spearheaded by Qatar Museums, the state-run organization overseeing much of the nation’s cultural institutions, the initiative will showcase over 40 new and commissioned works from Qatari and global artists in public spaces across Doha and neighboring cities.

The goal is to transform the urban environment into 'a sprawling outdoor museum,' according to an official statement.

'As the world focuses on Doha, we saw an opportunity to introduce ourselves and spark conversation through public art,' said Abdulrahman Ahmed Al-Ishaq, Qatar Museums’ Director of Public Art, during a video call.

Public Art Showcase

The artworks will be displayed in various public spaces, including squares, shopping malls, schools, sports venues, train stations, Hamad International Airport, and several World Cup stadiums.

'All the pieces we’re featuring will be carefully chosen to resonate with the cultural landscape of Doha and Qatar,' explained Al-Ishaq. 'They’ll be strategically placed to convey a message about our country.'

One example is Tom Claassen’s 'Falcon,' a striking golden sculpture of Qatar’s national bird, located outside Hamad International Airport. The abstract piece was unveiled this past summer.

Already revealed pieces include Bruce Nauman’s 'Untitled (Trench, Shafts, Pit, Tunnel and Chamber),' a 1970s experimental work, displayed outside M7 in Msheireb Downtown Doha. Additionally, Isa Genzken’s monumental 2015 sculpture, 'Two Orchids,' stands near the National Theatre, symbolizing the fusion of architecture, nature, and contemporary culture.

'The design of each artwork is tailored to fit its chosen location,' said Al-Ishaq. He described Nauman’s piece as 'a smaller version of a previous earthwork, placed in Msheireb, a district recognized for its cutting-edge urban development and focus on material innovation.'

Genzken’s 'Orchids' are strategically placed in the garden of the National Theatre, 'one of the oldest buildings along the Doha Corniche, known for its association with celebration, beauty, and the elegance of the arts,' according to Al-Ishaq. 'The public might view them as a symbolic tribute to the theater,' he added.

Though the full roster of artists is yet to be revealed, some confirmed names include prominent Qatari and regional figures. Among them are exiled Iraqi sculptor Ahmed Al Bahrani, whose works delve into the political themes of the Arab Diaspora, including war, displacement, and memory; and Faraj Daham, whose art focuses on Qatar’s architectural evolution and its broader economic, social, and political impacts.

The program also highlights female artists, such as Simone Fattal, a renowned Lebanese-American artist whose figurative works explore themes like war, displacement, migration, landscape painting, and ancient mythology; and Qatari artist Shua’a Ali, who will debut her first public artwork, an abstract sculpture titled 'Tawazun' (Arabic for 'balance').

'Tawazun,' a stacked stone pillar, symbolizes Qatar’s 'progression' and the harmony between traditional and modern influences in daily life, according to the artist. 'By combining both contemporary and traditional construction materials, it represents the balance in Qatar’s civic and architectural achievements,' Ali explained in an email.

Ali expressed her pride and honor in having her work showcased in downtown Doha. She noted that being part of the public art program offers an invaluable opportunity to reach international audiences that might otherwise have been out of reach. 'This initiative provides a strong platform for artists and creatives to thrive,' she added.

'It was essential for us to feature local artists,' said Al-Ishaq. 'This is a chance to spotlight the immense talent from Qatar and its neighboring nations, giving them the recognition they truly deserve.'

'From the beginning, our goal has been to bring art beyond the confines of museums,' Al-Ishaq noted, adding that the program’s new installations will bring the total number of public works to 100.

Creating an 'Art Hub'

The path to the 2022 World Cup has not been without its controversies. Qatar has faced criticism over its treatment of migrant workers involved in stadium construction, as well as concerns about the country's anti-LGBTQ laws. In response to the latter, Qatar 2022 CEO Nassar Al Khater told Dinogo in November that visitors should not feel unsafe. 'Qatar is a country of tolerance, hospitality, and warmth,' he affirmed.

Cultural programs like the public art initiative may help to change global perceptions.

'The program is designed to offer a glimpse into our identity and culture, both past and present. It’s an invitation to experience Qatar beyond the scope of the World Cup,' explained Al-Ishaq.

Launched in 2013, the public art program began with a provocative series, including British artist Damien Hirst's 'The Miraculous Journey,' a set of 14 bronze sculptures depicting the stages of a gestating fetus, displayed at the Sidra Medical and Research Center. The installation, which featured a fertilized egg, a sperm, and a towering 46-foot statue of a naked baby, faced backlash on social media and was quickly covered up. The official explanation cited ongoing construction work, but it was reinstated in 2018.

Qatari artist Ali Hassan’s 'Desert Horse' is also part of the program, displayed just outside Hamad International Airport. Another of his works, 'Wisdom of a Nation,' was placed near the National Museum of Qatar’s visitor entrance.

'Art, once confined to museum walls, is now being displayed in public spaces,' he stated in an email, adding that the initiative is helping to shape the local art scene.

'Leaving a mark on such iconic landmarks is indescribable for me as a Qatari artist, given the immense cultural and global importance these two sites hold,' he shared.

The initiative has broadened to include projects that actively engage local communities with contemporary artists.

Among the initiatives is an open call for students, inviting young people to create temporary public artworks using recycled materials, as well as Jedariart, an annual program that encourages artists to paint murals around the city, addressing social, historical, and cultural themes.

Jedariart is currently on tour in the US as part of Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, an international cultural exchange program launched by Qatar Museums in 2012 under the leadership of Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, aimed at strengthening ties between Qatar and a different partner country each year.

'Public interventions bring people closer to art and make them feel more comfortable with it than in a traditional museum setting,' Al-Ishaq explained. 'Our objective with all these projects is to integrate art into Qatar’s urban landscape permanently.'

The broader vision is even more ambitious. 'Looking ahead, we want Qatar to become the region’s leading art hub,' Al-Ishaq said. 'The art Mecca of the Middle East.'

Featured image: 'Falcon' (2021) by Tom Claassen.