Sheikha Al Mayassa highlights NMoQ at Berlin meet

DOHA: Qatar Museums (QM) and its Chairperson, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, took part in The New York Times (NYT) Art Leaders Network conference in Berlin last week.

During the event, QM unveiled new details about the upcoming National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) including its new brand identity designed in collaboration with QM and local creative design agency, The Creative Union.

First glimpses into the collection that will be showcased at NMoQ were also provided with the help of the Google Arts & Culture project, created by the Google Cultural Institute, which captured stunning imagery of 16 of the artefacts that will be displayed at the National Museum.

The event was also attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Germany, H E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; Germany’s Ambassador to Qatar, Hans-Udo Muzel; and Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, QM Chief Executive Officer and Special Adviser to the Chairperson.

The Art Leaders Network platform is the international iteration of the Art for Tomorrow conference, which launched in Qatar in 2015 with the support of QM. Gathering the art world’s most influential leaders and experts, discussions at the Berlin event touched on the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the international art market in the years ahead, from the future of art museums to the rising art centers.

Sheikha Al Mayassa took part in a debate on the promise and peril of expansion, together with Diller Scofidio + Renfro Founding Partner Elizabeth Diller, President and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Daniel H Weiss and NYT Culture Reporter and 2018 Art Leaders Network Programme Director Robin Pogrebin. Sheikha Al Mayassa provided delegates with important insights into the changing shape of Qatar’s arts and culture scene, highlighting the successful trajectory of opening world-class museums like the IM Pei-designed Museums of Islamic Art, Mathaf: The Arab Museum of Modern Art and the upcoming NMoQ designed by Jean Nouvel.

Sheikha Al Mayassa headlined a special panel discussion on art and architecture shaping national identity, highlighting NMoQ as a beacon of Qatar’s heritage and future as an art centre.

Fellow panellists including French contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, world-famous architects Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas, and Herzog & De Meuron partner Jacques Herzog, joined her in sharing their experiences gained through revered careers and experience developing iconic projects in Qatar.

The panel discussion took place at the recently renovated Der Diwan – the Arab Culture House, which also hosted a private showing of work from some of Qatar’s brightest emerging artists. Artworks from Aisha Al Sowaidi, Emelina Soares, Hana Al Saadi and Bouthayna Al Muftah demonstrated the quality and impact of modern art from Qatar to new audiences in Germany.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, QM Chief Strategic Planning Officer Khalid Al Ibrahim said: “Art, creativity and heritage play an important role in Qatar and support the realisation of our National Vision 2030.

Taking a leading role in developing this platform reflects our country’s progress in bridging cultures, encouraging cultural exchange and nurturing creative talent. It is a privilege to take part in discussion with such a diverse and renowned group of experts, cultural figures and institutions from around the world. I am confident this event will support continued communication between nations and people, and demonstrate the power of art and culture in inspiring dialogue and enriching lives.”

شاركت سعادة الشيخة المياسة بنت حمد آل ثاني رئيسة مجلس أمناء «متاحف قطر»، في مؤتمر نيويورك تايمز «شبكة قادة الفن»، الذي انعقد الأسبوع الماضي في «ديوان – البيت الثقافي العربي» ببرلين.

وكشفت «متاحف قطر» -خلال المؤتمر- تفاصيل جديدة عن متحف قطر الوطني، منها هوية المتحف الجديد، كما عُرِض خلال المؤتمر لأول مرة صور لعدد من المقتنيات التي سيحتويها متحف قطر الوطني، عبر منصة «مشروع جوجل للفنون والثقافة» الإلكترونية التابعة لمعهد جوجل الثقافي، وهي عبارة عن 16 صورة مدهشة لقطع فنية ستعرض في متحف قطر الوطني عند افتتاحه.

حضر المؤتمر سعادة الشيخ سعود بن عبدالرحمن آل ثاني السفير القطري لدى ألمانيا، وسعادة السيد هانز-أودو موزيل السفير الألماني لدى قطر، والسيد منصور بن إبراهيم آل محمود الرئيس التنفيذي لـ «متاحف قطر». ويعد مؤتمر شبكة قادة الفن، نسخة دولية مكررة من مؤتمر «الإبداع الفني لأجل الغد»، الذي تستضيفه قطر منذ عام 2015 بدعم من «متاحف قطر»، وقد شارك في نقاشات المؤتمر نخبة من أبرز القادة والخبراء في مجال الفن والإبداع على مستوى العالم، وتطرقوا في نقاشاتهم لأبرز التحديات المُلحة، والفرص التي من شأنها صياغة ملامح مجال الفنون والإبداع في الأعوام المقبلة، بداية من مستقبل متاحف الفنون وحتى المراكز الفنية الصاعدة.;