Tribune News Network
Doha
Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums, in the company of several dignitaries, on Wednesday opened ‘On the Move’, a special exhibition on view at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) until 14 January 2023.
The exhibition explores the lives of nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists across three distinct regions: Central Sahara, Qatar and Mongolia.
Featuring a diverse selection of more than 400 objects, including paintings, historical images, oral historical, archival footage and contemporary photography, On the Move explores how these groups created and maintained rich and meaningful social lives, while producing complex and beautiful cultural forms in challenging environments.
Artefacts on display are drawn from the collections of NMoQ, Lusail Museum, Qatar National Library and Qatar Museums, along with loan items from international museums, including the National Museum of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar, Musée du Quai Branly in Paris and Weltmuseum Wein in Vienna, among other institutions.
On the Move is one of more than 10 exhibitions presented as part of Qatar Creates, the year-round national cultural movement that curates, promotes and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar and connects residents and global audiences with Qatar’s creative industries.
The exhibition also forms part of the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022, an international cultural exchange designed to deepen understanding between nations and their people. As such, the exhibition reflects the creative power and heritage of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia (MENASA).
Sheikha Al-Mayassa said, "As Qatar prepares for an exceptional year in its history, we are pleased to officially unveil On the Move to our local and international audiences. The exhibition provides visitors with a window to our past as we learn from our ancestors’ wisdom to build a brighter future. We are proud of our Bedouin nomadic culture and here is a moment to experience this.”
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikha Amna bint Abdul Aziz Al Thani, acting deputy CEO of Museums, Collections & Heritage Protection and director of NMoQ, said: "Since its opening in 2019, the National Museum of Qatar has served as a cultural platform that raises awareness of the history and environments that nomads lived in, as well as the contemporary aspects of living nomadically. We look forward to welcoming the wider community to the flagship exhibition of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for a culturally enriching experience.”
Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, head of Years of Culture, Qatar Museums, said: "We are delighted to present On the Move as part of the Qatar-MENASA Year of Culture 2022. The exhibition traces the history of nomads not only in Qatar but also across the region, further cementing our commitment to bringing people together. We hope everyone visits the exhibition to learn more about the history of the MENASA region.”
Tania Al Majid, deputy director of Curatorial Affairs in Qatar Museums, said: "We are delighted to officially unveil On the Move, an exhibition highlighting the rich and diverse forms of culture from three regions and celebrating the uniqueness of cultural and artistic forms, diverse expertise and creative innovation. As Qatar prepares to welcome guests for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we are thrilled to present On the Move at the National Museum of Qatar, an exhibition that takes visitors on a unique historical journey.”
The exhibition is curated by Professor Lila Abu-Lughod, Department of Anthropology, Columbia University; Tania Al Majid, associate curator of Social History and Ethnography, National Museum of Qatar; Faisal Al Naimi, director of Archaeology, Qatar Museums; Dr Haya Al Thani, director of Curatorial Affairs, National Museum of Qatar; Dr Anja Fischer, Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna; and Dr Elizabeth Turk, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge.
A collection of gifts inspired by the exhibition are available for purchase at the NMoQ gift shop.