ARTS & CULTURE
More to see
at Katara
a
By Jorge Granda
Katara Cultural Village has amazed residents of the country and tourists alike with its unique concept, extraordinary architecture and one-of-akind cultural events. Luckily, there is still much more to be discovered at Qatar’s ultimate cultural hub. QH spoke with Sidonio Costa, the artistic director and head curator of the new Katara Art Center, to find out more about this new addition to Katara Cultural Village.
T
Photo provided by KAC
he recently-opened Katara Art Center (KAC) aims to become an integral part of Katara Cultural Village’s vision for the development of the arts in the country. “KAC at the Katara Cultural Village is aiming to be the meeting place for creative minds,” Costa said. “With its opening in Doha, we are hoping to create a community of artists, art lovers and, in general, creative minds that are looking for a place to nurture their talent and interest in the arts.”
One of the aspects that will make KAC stand out among the other cultural venues in the country is that all the work to be exhibited is being created by talented artists living in Doha and also from around the world.
The centre’s purpose is to create a dialogue and exchange between artists and their work. “Our education programs and our events are all aimed at enlarging community participation in the processes and dialogues about art in Qatar. KAC Costa’s plan is to create a platform for all will have several educational programs designers, artists and art entrepreneurs in and workshops where different age Doha to express their creativity. The centre groups and sectors of the Qatari society will provide different retail spaces where artists can sell their creations, fashion designs, and community at large can participate and improve both their knowledge photography, literature and art. “Our two of art as their amusement through art galleries will exhibit mainly artists based participating in such events,” Costa said. in Qatar, young talent that deserves to be “Our project is a long-term one, and it is exposed and that can develop their work anchored on our ambition to support the through this exposure and the responsibility nation's development in the arts through that comes attached to it,” Costa said. “As a encouraging the Qatari talent to surpass curator, I will work directly with the artists in helping them review and develop their artistic themselves and reach a quality level akin to the one we can view in any of the practice and ameliorate their artistic creative Qatar neighbouring countries." processes.”
EvEnTs TAKInG PLACE AT KAC In NOvEmbER Event: DTFF Harrer Harrer Video Installation at the Central Courtyard Date: Nov. 12 Time: 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. Event: Grand opening party of the Katara Art Center Date: Nov. 17 To receive an invitation, email: info@kataraartcenter.com Event: 1st KAC International Video Art Marathon Exhibition Date: Nov. 17 till Dec 17. Time: 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. Event: Dia Al-Azzawi Photography: Images From a Trapped City Date: Nov. 28 till Dec.7 Time: 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.kataraartcenter.com 37