Talks and Lectures

With Passion They Collect

7 November 2010, 18:30pm

A talk to discuss the stories behind their art works. Abdulrahman Al Owais, Sultan Al Qassemi and Dr. Farhad Farjam share their visions behind their collection and advice young collectors of Middle Eastern art.

Moderated by Farbod Dowlatshahi
Speakers: H.E Abdulrahman Al Owais, Sultan bin Sooud Al Qassemi, and Dr. Farhad Farjam.

 

Educators Evening

24 November 2010, 17:00-19:00

Educators at all levels, Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School, High School, Colleges and Universities, are invited to view the Opening the Doors exhibition and learn about ways to share the exhibition with your students. Opening the Doors is an exhibition showcasing highlights from the extensive history of modern and contemporary Arab and Iranian art. Masterpieces of modern Egyptian, Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian art, some unseen by the public for decades, are presented alongside cutting-edge works by established and emerging contemporary artists. Taken together the works weave a complex narrative of the region’s modern and recent history. 

The evening will begin with a guided tour through Opening the Doors, led by Laura Matzer, Education Manager, and James Matthews, Education Officer, and will conclude with a teacher resource guide take-away. The resource guide includes: pre- and post-tour information, art projects, exhibition information, and writing activities to introduce some of the exhibition’s key themes and concepts.

 

Artists Talk: The Pen of Spiritual Remembrance in the Art of Islam
By Ahmed Mustafa

13 December 2010, 18:30-19:30

A presentation by Dr. Ahmed Moustafa

The presentation provides an illustrated explanation of the cosmic laws governing the art of Arabic penmanship and addresses the notions which enabled it to be a catalyst for spiritual remembrance as well as acquiring its well-deserved status as the prime art of Islam.

The key trends that made Middle Eastern art relevant :  1960-2010

5 January 2011, 18:30-19:30

An expert talk on Art from the Arab World and Iran.

Speaker: Rose Issa

Rose Issa´s talk will provide an overview of the key trends which took place in Iran and the Arab world over the last 50 years and cover the importance of the Saqqakhaneh Pop art school in Iran  alongside the emergence of signs, traces and calligraphy in other Arab countries in the 60’s and onwards. The talk will explore other trends; the abstract connection, the issue of representation and misrepresentation in connection with Edward Said’s Orientalism, gender issues that concern many female artists in and outside their country of origin, the diasporic contribution towards the art scene after the many wars in the Middle East, and today’s mix of nomadic artists.

All Opening the Doors public programmes take place at Gallery One, unless otherwise stated.