DOHA: As part of Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture, the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) has partnered with Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) to screen a selection of contemporary Middle Eastern artists’ films at the Duke of York Steps in London.
The three-day programme, which started yesterday, is part of ICA off-site projects and proposes individually curated evenings, in which audiences will be able to watch artists’ films by some of the leading names working in the region.
From exhibitions held in East End car parks to inspired events at Glastonbury, the ICA Off-Site projects are proving to be enormous fun and this summer’s ‘Cinema on the Steps’ is no exception.
The ICA is delighted to be working with Abdellah Karroum (Director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha), Alia Al Senussi and Abdullah Al Turki who will bring a spirited selection of Middle Eastern artists’ film to The Mall.
Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, spokesperson for Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture said: “This collaboration with the ICA provides people with opportunity to experience the work of contemporary Middle Eastern artists in an iconic UK location.
“This film showcase is an ideal celebration of Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture which aims to cultivate mutual recognition, understanding and appreciation of Qatari and British cultures through events like these that both entertain and educate.”
Gregor Muir, Executive Director, ICA said “The ICA is delighted to work in partnership with the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) to present an extraordinary three-day day free programme of Middle Eastern films curated by Alia Al Senussi, Abdullah Al Turki and Abdellah Karroum.
“This programme represents the ICA’s continuing interest in art from the Middle East, this being the second time that the ICA has collaborated with Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha. I hope there will be many further opportunities in the future.”
Alia Al Senussi, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the ICA’s outdoor cinema project as it feels very personal to me. The art world in the Middle East is like a family and I’m thrilled to be bringing together some old friends.
“I spent the first six years of my life in Egypt — historically a creative hub within the Middle East — and so showing works like Manal Al Dowayan’s film is particularly exciting as it has a feeling of nostalgia of a golden era of cinema, and illustrates the incredible transformation of female identity.
“As I’m half Libyan I hope that awareness of and within the Middle East through the arts will continue to flourish through projects like this.”
The Peninsula
