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2021/12/14 - 2021/12/19
Pearls of Wonder: A Digital Era
Lavan541, New York
Pearls of Wonder: A Digital Era was an immersive pop-up exhibition featuring works by 5 emerging Qatari artists inspired by the history of Qatar’s pearling industry, at contemporary art space, Lavan541 in New York City.
Organised by Qatar Museums as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, Pearls of Wonder was a captivating digital art exhibition showcasing the work of artists Mohammed Faraj Al Suwaidi, Maryam Al Homaid, Alanoud Al Buainain, May Al Mannai and Saida Al Khulaif (all alumni of Qatar Museums’ Fire Station Artist in Residence programme).
The cutting edge exhibition created a sensory experience through video, audio, and virtual reality that transported visitors to a time when Qatar was one of the largest pearl producers in the world, exploring the rich history and traditions of Qatar through a contemporary lens.
"We are thrilled to have brought the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture program to a close with the innovative exhibition, Pearls of Wonder: a digital era," said Aisha Al Attiya, Director of Cultural Diplomacy Department, Qatar Museums. "By celebrating such a pivotal time in Qatar's development through digital installations crafted by local artists, we can share this important part of our heritage with others in the United States. Telling these stories in such a captivating way allows visitors to learn more about Qatar, and its incredible history, in a new and immersive way.”
"As the curator of our artist-in-residency program at The Fire Station, I have the great pleasure of working with young and emerging Qatari artists as they discover their own voices through art and contribute to our burgeoning cultural landscape," said Dr. Bahaa Abudaya. "I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to share these artist's work outside of Doha and bring a piece of our culture to the United States through an exhibition highlighting an important part of our nation's history: our pearling industry."