Join Qatar 365 in Doha’s museums for the exhibitions of the 2024 Qatar-Morocco Years of Culture!

euronews (in English)

Qatar 365 is back home in Doha to continue its special coverage of the Qatar-Morocco Years of Culture 2024, a yearly initiative that aims to deepen cultural ties between countries.

Transcript

00:00One object that I really wanted to borrow for this exhibition is one copy of the Qur'an

00:08that belongs to the National Library of Rabat, and it's a unique copy that was copied with

00:13gold ink on dyed green paper.

00:16Qatar really represents the future of style, of innovation, development, architecture,

00:23and art.

00:24I knew exactly when I landed here that I wanted to base my work on that.

00:29Hello, welcome to Qatar 365 with me, Adil Haleem.

00:35On this episode, we're back in Doha to continue our special coverage of the Qatar-Morocco

00:40Years of Culture 2024.

00:42As part of the year-long cultural exchange initiative, Ioanna Hughes visits the National

00:47Museum of Qatar to check out an exhibition by a Moroccan-Dutch fashion designer.

00:52But first, Laila Humaira goes back in time and through the ages of Morocco's unique heritage

00:57to the Museum of Islamic Art's special exhibition on the kingdom's diverse traditions.

01:04From a collage of vivid portraits and street photography, to a set of silver jewelry from

01:09the personal collection of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and a contemporary art installation

01:15reflecting the diverse tapestry of Moroccan life and landscapes, Splendor of the Atlas

01:20reflects the essence of a country deeply rooted in its fusion of traditions.

01:25The exhibition is a passion project of Dr. Mounia Sheikhab Aboudaia.

01:29It's a culmination of two years of research across Qatar and Morocco for the Deputy Director

01:34of Curatorial Affairs at the Museum of Islamic Art.

01:38When we think of Morocco, it's a very rich and unique country that holds a lot of diversity

01:45in its landscapes, in its people, and its heritage, its traditions, and what I wanted

01:50to convey as a message is that we are moving through a journey, but a journey that tells

01:55us the story, the unique story of Morocco.

01:58Walking through the galleries, the story of Morocco is told through historical objects

02:03from as far back as the 9th century.

02:06More than 200 artifacts from the museum's collection are being displayed here at Splendor

02:11of the Atlas, while some are on loan from Moroccan institutions.

02:15Five sections bridge the past and present, showcasing Morocco's rich blend of cultures,

02:21mixing Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian, African, and Mediterranean influences.

02:27One object that I really wanted to borrow for this exhibition is one copy of the Quran

02:33that belongs to the National Library of Rabat, and it's a unique copy that was copied with

02:39gold ink on dyed green paper.

02:42It's a unique copy.

02:43You will not find any other copies anywhere else in the world.

02:47Other highlights include wooden panels and a metal door from the University of Al-Karawiyan

02:52in Fez.

02:53Considered to be the oldest university in the world, it was founded in 859 by the Muslim

02:58scholar Fatima al-Fihri.

03:01This piece is on loan from the National Foundation of Museums, and it used to belong to one of

03:06the doors leading to one section of the mosque in the Karawiyan mosque in the 12th century.

03:12Not many pieces have survived, and a lot of the metal has been remelted, but then they

03:17kept some of those panels, and this is one of them.

03:20Beyond choosing the artifacts for display, Splendor's gave Dr. Munia the opportunity

03:24to leave a deeper impression on visitors, one that encourages them to look past the

03:30surface of what they see.

03:32My role as a curator was to really convey a message that really goes outside of what

03:37we can present in the media about Islam, about the Islamic civilization as a whole, and how

03:43rich it is from its beginning all the way to contemporary practices.

03:48That's also one of the many goals of the Years of Culture initiative, to transcend the differences

03:53between countries and strengthen the ties that bind, building lasting partnerships.

03:58I think up to the present, we still see the legacy of those years of culture and how we

04:04are still having collaborations and partnerships with those institutions.

04:07So, I think what's important here is that it's an initiative that is not just for a

04:12year long.

04:13It's something that can continue over the decades.

04:19Earlier this year, eight Qatari artists took part in a journey across Morocco where they

04:24immersed themselves in the country's rich Islamic heritage and architecture.

04:28The fruits of that educational trip are now on display here in a vibrant showcase called

04:33Iktashif, Morocco.

04:35Now, to talk about the pivotal role the Museum of Islamic Art plays in the Years of Culture

04:40initiative, I caught up with museum director, Sheikha Al Nasser.

04:45Sheikha, the Museum of Islamic Art is hosting multiple exhibitions as part of the Years

04:50of Culture initiative.

04:52We're in the splendors of the atlas.

04:53We're going to visit Iktashif.

04:55How do these exhibitions fit in the larger Years of Culture goals?

04:59The Years of Culture is a program that was initiated by Qatar Museums in 2012, and it

05:05is part of the broader mission for Qatar Museums to collaborate and have cultural exchanges

05:11between other nations.

05:13And this year, we are celebrating Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture to strengthen the bond between

05:19the two nations and share the cultural heritage between Qatar and Morocco.

05:25Qatar and Morocco every year cut their partners with a new country as part of Years of Culture.

05:28This year was Morocco.

05:30How do you go about curating these exhibitions?

05:32Me and the curator, we went on a trip around Morocco, so we visited numerous exhibitions

05:40and cultural heritage sites where also we've met with museum directors and experts to discuss

05:50how to put the themes of the exhibition together and which objects would fit in the storyline

05:56of the exhibition.

05:57It was a really amazing trip.

06:01We were impressed by the local arts and crafts that has been preserved for centuries until

06:09today and still inspire artists still today.

06:12Speaking of inspiring artists, eight Qatari artists got a chance to go to Morocco as part

06:16of the Iktashif program.

06:18Tell us a bit about that program and why it's important.

06:21So Iktashif, which means explore in English, is an initiative that's been also initiated

06:26by the Museum of Islamic Art.

06:28And each year, we take a group of artists to travel to different countries that have

06:33rich cultural tradition and local arts and crafts.

06:38And this year, it was to Morocco, and they participated in several workshops provided

06:44by artisans.

06:46And upon their return, they create artworks that are inspired by their visit and to show

06:52the influences and the cross-cultural connections between the two nations.

06:57So there's a lot obviously going on inside the museum, but right outside in Mia Park

07:02is the Dar al-Maghrib pavilion.

07:04I was just in Morocco, and it feels like I was transported back to Marrakesh.

07:07That's the point, isn't it?

07:08Yes, yes, that's right.

07:12To provide a journey for the visitors to go through the history of Morocco.

07:17And did you discover anything on your walk through of the pavilion?

07:20Quite a lot.

07:21It's really an amazing experience for the visitors also to learn about the history of

07:29Morocco and local crafts.

07:33And also there is a schedule where we have different craftsmen coming from Morocco to

07:39do a display of how they do ceramics, weaving, different crafts with a live performance.

07:48It's a wonderful way for people who might not be able to physically go to Morocco to

07:51at least get a bit of an experience.

07:53Wonderful.

07:54Thank you so much for your time, Sheikh.

08:00From Morocco's rich cultural heritage and artistic legacy to creativity of a different

08:04kind.

08:05Our next guest is at the National Museum of Qatar to meet celebrated Moroccan-Dutch designer

08:10Mohamed Benchalal, who has brought his cutting-edge couture to Doha.

08:17The dresses on display here at the National Museum may have been created by a designer

08:22with Moroccan and Dutch roots, but step back and Qatar's influence on the collection is

08:27unmistakable.

08:29For Benchalal Monumental Sculpting Past Tomorrow, an exhibition that is part of the 2024 Years

08:34of Culture, celebrated couturier Mohamed Benchalal was inspired by Qatar's landscape,

08:40integrating tradition and innovation.

08:43The first time I came here, I felt that I entered the future.

08:47I also like to think that a lot of countries have a lot of rich history, but for me Qatar

08:53has a very rich future.

08:55Qatar really represents the future of style, of innovation, development, architecture and

09:02art.

09:03So I knew exactly when I landed here that I wanted to base my work on that.

09:08It was in this very same museum in 2021 that Mohamed was chosen as one of the winners of

09:14the prestigious Fashion Trust Arabia, an award founded under the patronage of Her Highness

09:19Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser that supports design talent from the MENA region.

09:24It makes it extra special for Mohamed to be back here three years later for his first

09:29solo exhibition, which he created at Doha's Liwan Design Studios and Labs.

09:34But whether he works in Qatar or elsewhere, some signature design features always stay

09:39the same.

09:40There's always three key elements that you can really find in my work.

09:44It is always playing with a lot of volume, it is the proportion where you place the volume

09:50and everything has a really sculptural cut.

09:52I think those are the three points that you can think of.

09:57Mohamed's namesake label Benchalal is known for its voluminous silhouettes and sculptural

10:01cuts, but also a devotion to slow fashion.

10:05In a world where fast fashion has considerable environmental costs, Mohamed believes that

10:10sustainability is the future of couture, a conviction that was born as much out of ethics

10:15as necessity.

10:16You have to imagine starting a brand or a label, it really requires a huge investment

10:23of capital and I didn't have that.

10:26So first and foremost I had to start with material, with fabric.

10:30I always went to inexpensive markets to buy the leftovers from the industry because that

10:35was the only thing I could afford.

10:37And in today's world it's being really seen as sustainable, which for me was really the

10:41way to even begin.

10:43To this day, it's the fabrics that Mohamed can get hold of that dictate his designs.

10:49And sometimes those textiles come from some unexpected places, like a car upholstery shop

10:54in Doha's Souk Waqif, where he purchased the fabrics used in this collection.

10:59I stumbled on an upholstery for car seats shop and I found really the most beautiful

11:05fabric there.

11:06It's really playing with what you have, sometimes creativity really comes when you have to improvise.

11:12From A-list celebrities to royalty, Mohamed has dressed them all, but he's not putting

11:16his scissors down anytime soon, as there is simply too much inspiration out there.

11:21I like to see myself as a designer nomad, so I'm sure that this won't be the last of

11:27it and I'm really looking forward to see where my journey is going to take me next to base

11:32my work on a different place on the globe.

11:37From exploring the splendors of the atlas to meeting a designer making his mark in the

11:41world of fashion, we hope you enjoyed our special coverage of the Qatar-Morocco Years

11:46of Culture 2024.

11:48But that's all the time we have for now.

11:49For more, check out YourNews.com and connect with us through our hashtag.

11:53Thanks for watching and we'll see you next time on Qatar 365.

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