Qatar Creates is a cultural initiative by Qatar Museums connecting the fields of art, fashion, design, architecture and culture. Focused on boosting the cultural creative economy, a range of exciting events and experiences is planned throughout Doha this year. Working with cutting-edge figures in fashion, design and the arts, the line-up has been built with the conviction that a wide range of creative expertise is key to a sustainable future.
CHRISTIAN DIOR DESIGNER OF DREAMS
06 November 2021 – 31 March 2022
Curated by Olivier Gabet and designed by Nathalie Crinière especially for Qatar, Christian Dior Designer of Dreams celebrates nearly 75 years of creative passion, punctuated by captivating haute couture dresses and works from the collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
This is House of Dior’s first retrospective in the Middle East and has been reinvented for the region following its travels across prestigious museums in Paris, London, Shanghai and New York. The ambitious presentation features a selection of pieces that have never been shown before, including ensembles from the private collection of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
A mesmerizing scenography of the creative directors from Yves Saint Laurent, Mark Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri, this is a grand celebration of the iconic French Maison.
While there is much to catch the eye, a few standout pieces include an entire wall made from recycled Dior scarfs, Natalie Portman's “Miss Dior” Dress and Yara Shahidi’s Met Gala dress. Another highlight is an installation consisting of two thousand J’adore perfumes that surround a dress worn by Charlize Theron, who has been a face of Dior.
The exhibition not only tells the inspiring story of one of the world's most renowned fashion houses, but also gives a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes into the incredible effort that goes into the making of a single dress under the maison’s portfolio.
A magical experience where you will be dazzled by couture and art installations, Christian Dior Designer of Dreams is a haven for fashion lovers and anyone with a keen eye for aesthetics.
The exhibition is housed at M7, the first since the official opening of the multipurpose real-estate development in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha.
VIRGIL ABLOH: "FIGURES OF SPEECH"
05 November 2021 – 31 March 2022
“Figures of Speech” is the first museum exhibition in the Middle East dedicated to late acclaimed designer and creative Virgil Abloh. The retrospective showcases more than 55 works of the artist and is curated by Michael Darling in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and Samir Bantal from AMO/OMA.
Offering an in-depth look at Abloh's diverse pioneering media practice that ranged from visual arts to music, fashion, architecture and design.
Prototypes are presented alongside finished artworks, product designs and fashion to reveal the many sources of inspiration of the visionary designer. Running throughout the exhibition is an emphasis on dialogue, which Abloh created through his inventive use of language and quotation marks, turning the objects he designed and the people who wear his clothing into ‘figures of speech’.
There’s more to Virgil Abloh than Louis Vuitton and Off White, however, and the exhibition tells the very human story of Abloh as an individual making his way through the fashion industry.
An inspiring journey that will make the audience feel connected to the late creative genius, this is not simply a walk through the years but a fluid representation of all that he has done over the span of his life. His collaborations with artists, writers, brands and singers are all showcased, including the album art cover he designed for Kayne West, as well as the thesis of his Master’s degree in Architecture.
A bittersweet journey that highlights so much of his work, what was meant to be a mid-career retrospective, now holds so much more significance.
The exhibition is presented as part of the Qatar-United States 2021 Year of Culture and is on display at Fire Station.
JEFF KOONS: LOST IN AMERICA
21 November 2021 – 31 March 2022
Lost in America presents a unique view into the exceptional career of Jeff Koons, one of the world’s best known contemporary artists. The first exhibition in the Gulf region, it is a portrait of American culture as seen through Koons’ autobiography and his work that bridges Pop, Minimalism and the readymade.
The exhibition features more than sixty artworks drawn from Koons’ four-decades-long career and is divided into 16 galleries, each introduced by the artist, emphasising his memories, influences and fascination with American visual culture. Conceived as an expansive self-portrait, Lost in America also includes sculptures and paintings with mesmerising, mirrored surfaces that reflect the viewers and call attention to notions of self-transformation and becoming.
This is an intimate look into Koon’s life with personal memorabilia from his childhood, adulthood and parenthood. From the ballerina figure that was inspired by his grandparents’ mini ballerina in their living room, to Popeye the Sailor Man who reminds him of his father, autobiographical notes accompany these personal pieces.
The vast space compliments Koons’ colourful art and makes seeing such iconic pieces in person and in the GCC all the more awe-striking.
The exhibition is presented as part of the Qatar-United States 2021 Year of Culture, ExxonMobil Platinum Sponsor and is on display at QM Gallery ALRIWAQ.
Words: Saira Malik
Visuals: Jeff Koons' Lost in America courtesy of Qatar Museums.
