Doha, Qatar: The Katara Cultural Village Foundation hosted a lecture on Tuesday evening titled “The Dialogue of Paper and the Role of the Exhibition Curator,” presented by Dr. Aisha Al-Misnad.
The lecture explored the experience of the “Dialogue of Paper” exhibition, which was staged in Japan in 2022 as part of the Qatar-Japan Year of Culture 2022. The exhibition showcased the story of papermaking traditions in both Qatar and Japan through a collaboration between pioneering Qatari artist Yousef Ahmed and Japanese artist Hayaki Nishigaki.
Dr. Al-Misnad described the exhibition as an important example of how art can serve as a bridge for intercultural dialogue, facilitating the exchange of creative experiences and strengthening communication between peoples and cultures.
She explained that the exhibition was built around the concept of paper as an artistic medium shared by Arab and Japanese cultures. The project highlighted Yousef Ahmed’s more than two decades of experimentation in producing paper from Qatari palm leaves, alongside Nishigaki’s work using kuzu plants to create paper inspired by Japanese traditions.
The exhibition also incorporated Arabic and Japanese calligraphy, reflecting the symbolic and aesthetic significance of written expression in both cultures.
Dr. Al-Misnad noted that the exhibition received strong public engagement and positive feedback from visitors, evolving into a broader platform for dialogue on culture, food, fashion and the arts, while bringing together Qatari and Japanese communities through a shared artistic language.
She added that the success of the initiative led to a second edition during the Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture 2023. The “Paper Dialogue” exhibition was held in Jakarta in November 2023, featuring a collaboration between Yousef Ahmed and Indonesian artist Wedy Bangasto.
The artists drew inspiration from the natural and cultural landscapes of both countries, combining Indonesia’s forests and intertwined trees with Qatar’s desert environment in a refined artistic exploration of paper and nature.
Dr. Al-Misnad said the experience reflected Qatar’s commitment to celebrating culture, building bridges of dialogue and knowledge, and presenting its artistic and cultural identity to international audiences.
The lecture also opened the floor for extensive discussion on the role of the arts in strengthening the presence of Qatari culture within its wider regional and global human context.
