• CHECK IT OUT
FACT FINDS
Small Lie by Kaws HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (HIA), AN ACTIVE SUPPORTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE, HAS REVEALED A NEW 32-FOOT ARTWORK, SMALL LIE BY AMERICAN ARTIST KAWS.
DELIVERED AS PART OF Qatar Museums’ commitment to make art available to all beyond the confines of a gallery, SMALL LIE is the latest addition to the airport’s fine art collection of more than 20 permanent pieces created by local and international artists. Reminicent of a wooden marionette, the sculpture is made from Afrormosia wood, weighing in at 15 tonnes and standing 32 feet tall. The artist flew in to Qatar to unveil and present his artwork, saying: “I hope SMALL LIE can transport passengers into another realm. The inspiration behind SMALL LIE comes from my relationship to wooden toys growing up and the warm sensation of wood grain,” Kaws explains. “Expanding on this, I created an oversize sculpture that plays with an emotional tension of strength and kindness. SMALL LIE makes the viewer feel small but also want to protect it and console it. It is the first time that one of my pieces is exhibited in an airport, the space allows a dialogue with both travellers and the other artworks showcased at HIA,” he added. A painter, sculptor, product designer and collector, KAWS is considered one of the most distinctive artists of our time. His influential work connects people across generations with contemporary art and opens up the world of popular culture to young and diverse audiences across the globe. 10
fact magazine
HIA being strategically located at the crossroads of the Eastern and the Western part of the world, the selection of art installations displayed at the airport transcends all cultures and beliefs. KAWS is the fourth American artist joining HIA’s Art Programme. Most recently installed at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the UK, the newly inaugurated SMALL LIE is now located in the North node of HIA, near Concourse E, a strategic location for the benefit of the 30 million passengers transiting through HIA on a yearly basis. Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA, said: “HIA’s space for public art is truly redefining the passenger experience. As we are gearing up to welcome more than 50 million passengers by 2022, the airport is thriving to give transit travellers a memorable journey through the arts and culture,” he continued. “We are proud to welcome a leading world-class artist like KAWS at HIA. I would like to thank Qatar Museums and KAWS for their precious partnership in enriching our current art collection.” ✤
GO: VISIT WWW.DOHAHAMADAIRPORT.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.