QMA: Reviving the Past to Match the Spectacular Present /Qatar National Day

Doha, December 13 (QNA) - Qatar Museum Authority (QMA) has been playing a major role recently promoting for national themes, supporting identity and heritage through developing and showcasing world class collections in world class architecture, exploring, protecting and promoting archaeological and heritage sites, and developing unique programs independently and in partnerships. The QMA has also been proposing national policies to build a vibrant museum, art and heritage sector, being at the forefront of research and innovation , offering the best career opportunities to create leaders of tomorrow, engaging in cultural dialogue and educational programs that build bridges between nations as well as fostering national pride and engaging in cultural diplomacy on behalf of the State and in trust for the people of Qatar. The QMA has been making various accomplishments since the end of 2011 until the first quarter of 2012 that hold a message for humanity in Qatar and abroad. QMA has inaugurated last December the Museum of Islamic Art Park that features the 80-foot-long vertical steel sculpture by internationally acclaimed American artist Richard Serra. The authority has organized more than 13 art exhibitions that came simultaneously with Arab Games Exhibition between the 4thOctober-23rd December last year. These Exhibitions included an Arabic calligraphy one that showcased the works of American-origin Artist Mohammad Zakaria between 24th of October 2011-10th January 2012, The Cai Guo-Qiang: Saraab exhibition that started December 5th 2011 and ran through May 26th 2012 featuring a connection between China s art and culture with Doha. It also hosted the world renowned "The Dream of a King Dresden s Green Vault" exhibition from 2 November, 2011 -26 January, 2012. The temporary visit of the exhibition from Dresden, Germany to Doha was an outcome of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Qatar Museums Authority and Dresden State Art Collections. The QMA has also participated at a number of overseas events, including Qatar week: Ferjan" Event in Tokyo that marked the 40 years relations between Qatar and Japan. Furthermore, a digital photography competition has been launched in collaboration with Doha international airport under the title ""Capture the Essence of Qatar" that aims at displaying the very best creative and imaginative images of Qatar at the competition in a prominent position in the departure hall at the New Doha International Airport. The authority also participated in the 5th Career Fair for Qatari Students studying in the United Kingdom as well as held the first art exhibition for the world known British artist Daymen Hirst at the Tate Modern Museum. A photography exhibition was also held for the world known artist Brigitte Lacombe, simultaneously London Games, for the Arab women in sports at the Sotheby's Auction House in London. Also, during the Qatari Japanese celebrations, the QMA held the "Pearls: Jewels from the Sea" exhibition on 27 July 2012 that showcased around 200 works of art between historical objects and sumptuous jewellery and demonstrates how pearls are formed and their relationship with societies throughout history. The QMA has received many international awards in the Arab World and globally as well as signed some partnerships related to in museums and artifacts with each of Germany and Sudan. In addition to the, Louise Bourgeois: Conscious and Unconscious, Takashi Murakami EGO, exhibitions and the Qatar s heritage exhibition Mal Lawal: meaning from the "old days" in the Qatari dialect, which showcased ancient Qatari artifacts and historic collections to contemporary treasures, Qatari art, and quirky trinkets. Moreover, the QMA held a number of contemporary exhibitions related to the-then ongoing events, namely the Olympics Through Media Exhibition that came during the time of the Olympics in London 2012 and showcased the history of the modern Olympic Games and in parallel the development of media. QMA has also participated at a number of overseas events, including Qatar week: Ferjan" Event in Tokyo that marked the 40 years relations between Qatar and Japan. (QNA)