Cosmoscow is honored to announce the first ever exhibition of Qatari contemporary art in Russia entitled What We Are Made Of curated by Reem Fadda, an independent curator and art historian. The exhibition, supported by the Main Partner of Cosmoscow, Qatar Airways, taking place within the Year of Culture Qatar Russia 2018, will consist of two instalments. The first one will showcase the works of five pioneering and most prolific Qatari artists known for their influence and cultural activism in Qatar: Yousef Ahmad, Faraj Daham, Ali Hassan, Amal Al-Aathem & Mohammed Al Atiq. The second instalment will present a more nuanced understanding of what the meaning of feminism is in Qatar, featuring mainly sculptures and installations of leading contemporary female Qatari artists: Noor Abuissa, Sophia Al Maria, Bouthayna Al Muftah, Hana Al-Saadi, Aisha Al-Suwaidi, Ghada Khater, Maryam Yousef Al-Homaid.

“This exhibition represents a more nuanced understanding of what is meant by “growth” and “development” happening in Qatar, through an existential materialistic underpinning. The artists respond critically to their environment and historical conditions, and base their practice on a primarily material and textural approach,” said Reem Fadda, curator of the exhibition.

The exhibition brings together a curated selection of Qatari artists from different generations, showcasing the remarkable historical development of the artistic avant-garde and progressive sensibility of artists in Qatar. They question issues such as the loss of tradition and collectivity, rising consumerism, isolation from nature and society, women’s issues and even comment on the current political state of affairs in the Gulf. They do so through the mediation of a wide variety of materials, from dried palm leaf, wood, steel, aluminum, to even concrete. The exhibition will also show a multidisciplinary connection between art and design.

“We are honored to contribute to the process of strengthening cultural dialogue between Qatar and Russia and to introduce Cosmoscow guests to the work of the distinguished Qatari artists. I am extremely grateful to our Main Partner Qatar Airways and personally to H.E. Akbar Al Baker, H.E. Fahad bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Russian Federation, and curator Reem Fadda for making the first exhibition of Qatari contemporary art in Russia possible,” added Margarita Pushkina, Founding Director of Cosmoscow International Contemporary Art Fair and Founder of Cosmoscow Foundation for Contemporary Art.

As a part of the public educational programme, there will be two panels during the days of the fair coinciding with the exhibition. Each will host multiple speakers from Qatar and Russia, providing the opportunity to give a voice to the museum directors, and the artists participating in the exhibition.

 

Panel # 1 - THE DIRECTOR: New Narratives, New Visions

Date: September 7th, 2018 Time: 1 pm

Speakers:

• Zelfira Tregulova, Director, The State Tretyakov gallery, Moscow, Russia
• Anton Belov, Director, Garage Museum of Contemporary Art
• Reem Fadda, former Associate Curator, Middle Eastern Art for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project
• Vasili Tsereteli, Executive Director, Moscow Museum of Modern Art
• Nayla Hadchiti, moderator, Collector and Patron of SEAL Lebanon

 

The panel is aimed to discuss the role of museum directors, their challenges and goals in developing the vision of their organizations with a special focus on contemporary art institutions from Qatar and all around the world. The conversation will provide an opportunity to explore the variety of museums’ concepts, aimed at managing large collections, and different aspects of institutional relations with artists and arts practitioners. How do museums make a difference? What are the programmes developed for the audience locally and how to make a long-lasting impact internationally? How does an art institution handle the global dynamics of evolving art, political and social environments, remaining relevant?

 

Panel # 2 - THE ARTIST: What We Are Made Of

Date: September 7th, 2018 Time: 5 pm

Speakers:

• Bouthayna Al Muftah, artist, Doha, Qatar
• Ghada Khater, artist, Doha, Qatar
• Taus Makhacheva, artist, Moscow, Russia
• Mohammed Al Atiq, artist, Doha, Qatar
• Reem Fadda, moderator, Ramallah, Palestine

A selection of the artists, participated in the exhibition What We Are Made Of, will discuss their diverse artistic practices, alongside with Russian artist Taus Makhacheva, Cosmoscow 2018 Artist of the Year, who is presenting a newly commissioned work at the fair.

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