Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) wrapped up its latest edition of Tasmeem Doha titled ‘Under Construction’ recently. The theme highlighted the critical role that art and design play in inspiring and enabling change and also underscored how creative research inspires novel solutions to existing societal concerns.
VCUarts Qatar’s dean, Amir Berbic, said: “The topics and experiences will speak to the complex and challenging times we are in – the reality that change is a constant, and there is a need for today’s designers, artists and creators to bring new and inventive ways of doing and thinking, and re-imagining our reality through innovation in design and creative production.”
The opening keynote speech was delivered by Yasser Elsheshtawy, currently a non-resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington DC and an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Titled ‘(Re)Constructing Urban Spaces: Unearthing the Palimpsest in Arabia’ the talk focused on the city of Doha, and its rapid expansion in the context of other cities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The opening day also featured a panel discussion on the topic ‘Inner Structures – Outer Rhythms: The Politics of Contemporary Design from the SWANA Region’. It was followed by a number of events including the ‘168:01’ exhibition by Wafaa Bilal, a series of short films that looked back at previous editions of Tasmeem Doha, an exhibition titled ‘Tasmeem Reconstructed’ that displayed memorabilia from previous editions, and an audio-visual performance at the Innovative Media Studio.
The closing keynote speech was delivered by Bernard Khoury, founder and principal of Bernard Khoury/DW5 in Beirut and a previous Tasmeem Doha contributor from 2008. This year, the conference was held at various locations across Doha, including but not limited to VCUarts Qatar’s campus at Education City, M7 in Msheireb Downtown Doha and Expo 2023 Doha in Al Bidda Park.
In parallel with Tasmeem Doha 2024, VCUarts Qatar is hosting an exhibition titled ‘Inner Structures – Outer Rhythms: Contemporary Arab & Persian Graphic Design’ featuring works by more than 30 graphic designers from the SWANA region. The exhibition is on display at The Gallery at VCUarts Qatar until April 6 and curated by Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares.
Officials at Tasmeem 2024
Another scene from the exhibition.
