During my short visit to Doha couple of weeks ago, I have visited Mathaf (Museum of Modern Art) for Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibition... Saraab...
Cai tried to combine both Chinese and Gulf cultures for he saw some similarities even with the different contexts...
Here are some snapshots of the exhibition...
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| As you enter MAthaf... An installation is made by group of rocks... Rocks are carved with traces of Arabic calligraphy founded in China... The rocks extend all the way to the outdoor... |
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| This piece is called "endless"... They are two gulf dhows and a boat from China... Their slight movement suggests the idea of travel or staying in rest... |
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| As you move inside the gallery another artwork reveals itself.... "Route" is made by gunpowder on paper... a medium that Cai mastered through his career... The piece describe the maritime silk road and the rout from Quanzhou to Doha.. |
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| The boats also represent a link to the historical Silk Road that originated in Quanzhou... The artwork presents different ways in which traditions and cultures are compared in different coastal regions of the world. |
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| With ink, the artist adapted the destination coordinates, sailing times, and celestial navigation of the 17th century Chinese map |
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| "flying together" |
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| Another hall with his artworks... gunpowder on paper |
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| Gunpowder on paper... Abayas silhouettes then a masterpiece! |
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| The juxtaposition of gunpowder with Chinese porcaline and the Arabic calligraphy (Arabic word for fragile) suggests a fragility in human relationships, whether between individuals, nations or cultures |
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| The type of porcaline is being manufactured near the artsit's hometown which was historically traded by sea to the Arab World |
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| Last but certainly not the least is my favourite work of the artists "Ninety nine horses" some horses are drawn using gunpowder and some are shadows casted by horses' figures from the ceiling |
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| The number 99 resembles infinity in Chinese culture while in Arabic culture it recalls the 99 names of Allah |
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Other halls had several monitors and projectors to view the whole process of producing the artoworks and installing them....
Hope you enjoyed this little virtual tour ^^" Feel free to post any comments....
Salaam,
T
