The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has unveiled Mal Lawal 4, the one-of-its-kind platform in the region that celebrates the art of collecting. The exhibition will be on view in Msheireb Sahat Al Nakhel Unit X04 until April 10, 2025.
Held under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), Mal Lawal aims to showcase the local heritage and offer insight into the lives of private collectors, collections, and the practice of collecting in Qatar.
With a focus on the 1990s, this edition of Mal Lawal (in English: 'From the old times') adopts a curatorial approach exploring the history of gaming before the turn of the millenium, marked by the evolution of advanced graphic capabilities which spurred remarkable growth in the gaming world. The exhibition aims to highlight how collectors have preserved memories of this crucial time in gaming through their collections. Among the highlight objects are consoles and games that date back to the mid seventies, such as Fairchild channel F console and games lent by Fahad Al Kuwari; Sakhr AX-170 keyboard from 1986 lent by Dr. Mohammad Al Kuwari; Atari 2600 console from 1980 lent by Kamal Naji Muhammad, among many more unique objects.
Commenting on the occasion, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani, Director of the National Museum of Qatar said: "Since 2012, NMoQ has offered the public a rare glimpse into the private collections of Qatar's collectors, bringing to life their unique stories in an innovative, holistic and immersive way. As such, Mal Lawal 4 is the perfect platform to bring people together under one roof with a shared passion for preserving memories. In this exhibition, we go beyond the walls of our museum and gather diverse communities in this historic location to experience memories of an exciting and crucial time in gaming history. We invite everyone to take a trip down memory lane to this special time with us."
The selection of the exhibition's location at Msheireb Downtown Doha, specifically near the storied Kahraba Street, is no coincidence; Kahraba Street, meaning "Electricity Street," holds a special place in Doha's legacy as the first street in the city to receive electricity. This milestone marked Qatar's embrace of modernity and progress, and in the decades that followed, Kahraba Street became the go-to spot for electronics shops. While certainly a delightful look at vintage gaming, the exhibition also celebrates the spirit of curiosity and discovery that Kahraba Street represented. Through this thoughtful alignment of venue and theme, Mal Awal 4 and Msheireb Properties came together to honor the origins of Qatar's technological journey.
Speaking on the occasion of the exhibition opening, Msheireb Properties Senior Director of Corporate Communications Dr Hafiz Ali Abdulla, said: "The Mal Awal exhibition of vintage gaming items is a tribute to the deep connection between technology, culture, and community in Doha's history. Msheireb Downtown Doha's sustainable, smart city framework provides a contemporary lens through which visitors can explore the evolution of gaming technology and reflect on how electronics have shaped personal and communal experiences over time."
