Qatar Museums Unveils Line-Up Of Designers For Design Doha

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Museums has announced the plans for six exhibitions that will open during the first week of Design Doha, the biennial showcase for excellence and innovation in the design community in Qatar and the MENA region. The opening week of the biennial will run from February 24 to 28, with programming continuing through August 5.

The exhibition programme will be anchored by Arab Design Now, a regional survey of more than 70 Arab designers featuring 38 commissioned works, which will be on view at M7, Doha's centre for innovation, entrepreneurship, fashion, and design. Encompassing themes that respond to the unique geographies and cultural values of the region, the exhibition highlights the design sentiments, aesthetics, and preoccupations of the Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa.

Curated by Rana Beiruti, founder of Amman Design Week, Arab Design Now examines how local and regional designers balance contemporary design with traditional methods derived from the region's heritage, with a particular focus on environmental concerns and sustainable design. The exhibition is accompanied by a major publication, the first to survey multiple projects by all the pioneering designers participating in the exhibition.

Rana Beiruti, curator of the exhibition.

In addition to Arab Design Now, five additional exhibitions will open as part of the inaugural edition of Design Doha. They are Colours of the City: A Century of Architecture in Doha; Weaving Poems; 100/100 HUNDRED BEST ARABIC POSTERS Round 04; and Cultural Kinship.

The Artistic Director of Design Doha, Glenn Adamson, said:“The inaugural edition of our biennial spans the full breadth of design in the Arab world, showing the vitality of the region's creatives.

Featuring conversations with global industry leaders – as well commissions from international designers, a juried prize, and more, Design Doha be an important new platform for regional designers. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to advance their artistic and commercial practices, and welcome the international design community to Doha.”

Colours of the City: A Century of Architecture in Doha, is a dual-themed exhibition that explores the city's architectural evolution in response to global influences.

Turquoise Mountain, a non-profit organisation founded by His Majesty King Charles III, presents the captivating Weaving Poems, a showcase of the talent of Afghan-born, Amman-based artist and designer Maryam Omar, who has been commissioned to create a series of abstract carpets inspired by the rich oral heritage of women weavers in Afghanistan, and co-created with artisan communities still practising today.

Celebrating the brilliance of Arabic graphic design, 100/100 HUNDRED BEST ARABIC POSTERS, will be presented in Qatar for the first time during Design Doha. An independent platform dedicated to celebrating Arabic graphic design, 100/100 - HUNDRED BEST ARABIC POSTERS documents the contemporary visual culture of the Arab world through poster design, aiming to inspire, connect, and educate new talents, academics, and professionals.

Cultural Kinship, a pop-up design exhibit and retail experience, will be presented alongside Arab Design Now at M7. Curated by Joe Bou Abboud, founder of Boo Design Studio, and Asma Derouiche, creative director at Studio 7 Qatar. The exhibition will showcase the richness of the Middle Eastern and Arab identity through innovative design products.

Finally, Crafting Uzbekistan: Tradition in Threads presented by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation integrates the rich history of Uzbek craft tradition with contemporary creativity.

All exhibits will be on view from February 24 until March.

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