A DESTINATION FOR DIALOGUE
Gallery Exhibition Animal Pharm by Interaction Design Lab (ID-Lab) in Milan with Line Ulrika Christiansen, Stefano Mirti and Elio Caccavale
2010/2011 Exhibition and Lecture Series Throughout the year VCUQatar produces and hosts a diverse program
VCUQatar’s Crossing Boundaries Lecture Series reflects the cross-
of exhibitions and lectures that are open to the general public.
disciplinary nature of the featured speakers who are representatives of excellence in creative and innovative thinking. The 2010-11 speak-
The Gallery at VCUQatar is a focal point and inspirational destination
ers included Nimah Ismail Nawwab, activist, poet, writer, editor,
for faculty and students, and visitors. Collaborations with other gal-
lecturer and photographer; Bernard J. Canniffe, co-founder of PIECE
leries worldwide and local arts groups ensure it plays a key role within
Studio and Graphic Design chair at the Minneapolis College of Art and
the local and wider arts community.
Design; Riason Naidoo, director of the South African National Gallery, Dr. Andrew Dent, vice president for Research at Material ConneXion;
The Gallery started off the year with ‘Tagged’, a thought-provoking
Natalie Jeremijenko, director of the Environmental Health Clinic at
exhibition by Qatari photographer Khalifa Al-Obaidly, as part of this
New York University and assistant professor in Art; Michael Mauer,
year’s Qatar Now exhibition series. ‘New York Chronicles,’ an in-
Porsche design chief; and fashion designers Feral Childe. The depart-
ternational group show curated by Maymanah Farhat and Osama
ments at VCUQatar also hosted visual artist Shirin Neshat, lighting
Abusitta brought together a number of established and emerging
designer Beau McClellan, and architect Sara Shafiei.
Arab artists whose works represented a broad spectrum of the New York experience.‘Crossing Boundaries: Contemporary Art and Artists
In its sixth season under Dr. Jochen Sokoly, the Arts and Architecture
from South Africa’ started off the spring semester and was followed
in the Islamic World lecture series presented Salwa Mikdadi, head of
by ‘Animal Pharm’ which investigated the emergence of biological
Arts and Culture Program, Emirates Foundation and Yasser Tabba,
hybrids in biotechnologies, and our human personal, moral, aesthetic
visiting professor of Art History from New York University Abu Dhabi.
and socio-cultural responses to them.
40