Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
Gulf News
Doha: Some of the world's most important art collections will come to Qatar starting November 22, when the Museum of Islamic Arts opens its doors.
The Qatar Museum Authority in partnership with the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of New York, the Louvre, the Royal Collection of Morocco, Egypt's Museum of Islamic Art, and the Cartier Collection of France will bring to Doha world-class exhibitions over a five-year programme.
"We are excited to announce the grand opening for the Museum of Islamic Arts on November 22, a world renowned place of learning and a platform for international dialogue," said Abdullah Al Najjar, acting chief executive officer of the Qatar Museum Authority, on Wednesday.
The Qatari museum will host a permanent and unique Islamic art collection. Assembled over almost two decades, the works date from the eighth to the 19th century and originate from across the Islamic world and countries influenced by Islamic artistic trends such as Spain and India.
Ceramics, works in metal, jewellery and precious stones, woodwork, ivories, textiles, ancient books, rare examples of Islamic calligraphy, portraits will be on display on an exhibition space of nearly 3,800 square metres.
A tester of the Qatari collection, including an early 17th century Iznik dish, a silver-plated 13th century Iranian casket, an Indian emerald amulet dating back to 1695, a 10th century astrolabe (ancient device for solving problems relating to time and the position of the Sun and stars), and a 16th century Ottoman imperial decree with the emblem of Sultan Sulaiman the Magnificent, is temporarily on display at international museums such as the Louvre.
Designed by architect I.M. Pei, whose works include the Louvre glass pyramid, the Doha museum has been architecturally inspired by Ibn Tulun mosque in Egypt and its ablutions fountain that dates back to the 13th century.
"Pei has embarked on a journey across the Islamic world to draw inspiration from the Islamic architecture. The structure of the museum represents a bridge between past and present, East and West," said Al Najjar.
The museum, whose estimated cost is $800 million (about Dh2,938 million), is located on an artificial island about 60m off Doha and will be accessible by a pedestrian bridge.
In addition to the gallery, the museum features a temporary gallery, a 200-seat auditorium, a library, a conservation laboratory, and presentation areas.
The grand opening in November will feature an inaugural exhibition - 'Beyond Boundaries, Islamic Art Across Cultures' - with a collection of masterpieces from 25 countries, ranging from the United States, Italy, and Syria to Iran, India, and Japan, with each participating with a single artefact reflecting the theme of cultural diversity.
Love for arts
Two conferences on 'Architecture Between Tradition and Modernity' and an Islamic art conference with scholars from across the globe will be part of the opening celebrations.
"We will regulate entry through a ticketing system, but the fee will be minimal," said Al Najjar, adding that the vision of the Museum Authority is to instil the love for arts, especially in the young generation.
"With this in mind the museum will host artistic workshops for all ... age groups. The museum will not only be a gallery but also an educational instrument," Al Najjar said.
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
