BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson, Qatar Museums (QM), has stressed the need to educate society on art for a broader understanding of the world.
“Art is about having an open mind,” Sheikha Al Mayassa told over Education City students and faculty in the audience at an interactive panel discussion on ‘Generations for Culture’ she led yesterday at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q).
“We have to showcase what is happening around the world if we are to compete with the rest of the world,” she said, responding to a question on Damien Hirst exhibition QM has organised.
Hirst’s Relics expo from October 10, 2013 to January 22, 2014 was met with mixed reactions from audiences for the unconventional pieces which ‘shock and challenge’ viewers.
“Not many can travel around the world and see things. We are trying to bring key artists and important exhibitions, specifically Hirst. He revolutionised British art; he changed the landscape of British modern and contemporary art. We respect oppositions; if people don’t like an exhibition or don’t like an artist that’s personal choice. But I think we need to educate ourselves about art and its different forms to understand how the world is working.”
She encouraged university students to visit museums and take part in programmes and opportunities offered by QM and its partners and other cultural entities in the country.
“I believe strongly on what you can do in learning within the educational institution. I know you have state-of-the-art facilities but you learn a lot when you are interacting with the objects of the time and Museum of Islamic Art collection spans from the sixth century to 15th century sometimes beyond.”
She also encouraged students who wish to engage in art to be passionate in whatever they wanted to pursue. “Be passionate of what you do. We are looking for new ideas. There is no limitation and I encourage you if you are an artist to pursue that difficult career and we are here to support you.”
The Peninsula
