The activities of the Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year continue with exhibitions in galleries, museums, as well as events dedicated to design, the promotion of reading, fine arts and artistic residencies, in Rabat and Doha.
During the opening of an artistic visit intended for the international press, Wednesday in Doha, Abulaziz Al Thani, director of the National Museum of Qatar, underlined that the museums of Qatar are currently highlighting Morocco within the “Museum of ‘Islamic art’ and explore cultural links with several countries, including China. They also present the “Artistic and Architectural Heritage of Pakistan” and the “Orientalist Movement” to further discussion and research.
The spokesperson announced the “programs and exhibitions of the Doha Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year (2024)”, organized “in a spirit of cultural exchange and mutual understanding beyond borders”. This initiative is part of a vision that transforms “the entire country into an open-air museum”, with the ambition to “attract attention and inspire”.
The National Museum of Qatar traces the country’s history from its earliest marine and terrestrial eras, highlighting its wildlife, trade and cultural exchanges, and its historical interest in pearls. It also evokes the introduction of Islam, the tribal organization in the emirate and the conflicts which followed, up to the oil exploration treaty, an event which profoundly marked the evolution of this Arab Gulf state.
In addition to documenting oral history through testimonies from Qataris, the museum offers insights into local architecture, arts and traditional lifestyles, such as pearl fishing, boat building, the decoration of houses, and the costumes worn during festivals and in everyday life.
This museum highlights local flora and provides an immersive journey that covers ancient, modern, and “present-day history,” providing access to recent events in Arabic and English.
Moroccan Design in the spotlight
Moroccan design is in the spotlight at the National Museum of Qatar where dresses created by Moroccan-Dutch designer Mohamed Benchellal, winner of the “Designer Eveningwear of Fashion Trust Arabia 2021” prize, are on display.
Organized in collaboration with the Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year 2024, the exhibition presents Benchellal’s creations created during his residency at Liwan Design Studios from 2023 to 2024, a collection inspired by the landscapes of Qatar that celebrates the future vision of the country and the region, indicated the Museum guide.
“Born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents, Benchellal has always found inspiration in this region which he considers both familiar and distant. Through this project, he rediscovers his heritage and culture, creating a deep connection with his creations and beginning a journey to present Arabic design in an innovative and unique way, unprecedented.”continued the guide.
The Moroccan-Dutch designer used “local materials” to create his women’s clothing on display in the gallery, taking advantage of “unsold fabrics from Souq Waqif,” which the exhibition says “reflects his deep commitment to sustainability and preservation of the environment.
Benchellal expressed his joy at the idea of any woman, whether famous or not, wearing his designs. He also clarified that among his childhood inspirations were “future” films and their costumes, as well as his “love for women.”
The artist explained his choice to designate his textiles as sculptures: “I never sketch before preparing a sculpture; I go straight to the pattern and sculpt the fabric around it. I like to refer to sculpture, because what I create is a sculpture around the body.he told us.
