The Lusail Museum: Tales Of A Connected World preview exhibition opened its doors in October 2022, offering visitors an insight into the upcoming Lusail Museum, located on Al Maha Island.
The preview exhibition at Al Riwaq Gallery provides an understanding of this extraordinary museum's themes.
If you've been curious about what the preview exhibition offers, the ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team shows you what's inside and why you should visit.
The exhibition gives a glimpse into an architectural masterpiece designed by Herzog & de Meuron, which will soon be known as the 'Lusail Museum'.
The galleries showcase the diverse civilizations from around the globe in the form of Orientalist art, archaeological artefacts and media to provide an understanding of the origins of tribes, lifestyles & ideologies along with a look at the direction they are headed.
The exhibition is certainly a captivating experience that provides a world of knowledge.
The exhibition is divided into 6 galleries surrounding particular themes rooted in Orientalist art. Before you start exploring the galleries, it is worth taking a moment to sit down and watch the projection of a timeline that gives insights into key incidents such as the 'Battle of Wajbah' that contributed to the formation of the State of Qatar and the journey of the founder, Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani.
This timeline also gives an insight into the various other empires that played a role in the history of Qatar, such as the 'Ottoman Empire' and 'The British Empire.'
The museum's first gallery is the striking 'Uncovering Orientalism' gallery, which provides a visual representation of Western interpretations of the Eastern world, which was then depicted in art.
The gallery displays a range of paintings, photographs, fashion pieces and artefacts, which include a unique display of 12 volumes of the 'The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night.'
This gallery offers a visual insight into the Western interpretations of the tragic love story of Antony and Cleopatra and the victorious win of Amanirenas, Queen of the Kingdom of Kush (currently known as Sudan and Southern Egypt).
The artefacts on display include costumes and props used in movies that were Hollywood interpretations and picturizations of the incidents and circumstances.
The 'Picturing the Desert' gallery surrounds the Western understanding of the Arabian desert, mostly considered barren land with bedouins and peculiar attire.
To further provide an insight into the Western adaptation of the desert and the influence on media, the gallery also displays pieces associated with Hollywood films, 'The Lawrence of Arabia' & 'Star Wars'.
The Delacroix's Gaze gallery offers visitors a display of artworks created by French painter Delacroix.
His paintings intended to portray his unique interpretations of the Eastern world; however, they fell in line with the stereotypes of Orientalism that already existed.
The Souq Al Hamidiyah gallery depicts the withstanding of the Souq, located in the heart of Damascus, Syria.
The theme showcases the Souq as a place of cultural interchange in the form of interactions, goods and ideas. The gallery also offers an insight into souqs, majorly included in artwork of the Western times.
Paintings and visual media placed in the Journeys gallery of the exhibition depict the transfer of people, ideas and goods that root in the Indian Ocean and have crossed the path of Lusail in Qatar.
Upon completing the gallery visits, you will find yourself in an open space that displays an array of artefacts ranging from Iranian carpets to jewellery used by the Mughal empire.
This display offers an insight into the various Islamic civilizations that have shaped history.
For those wondering what the Lusail Museum will turn out to be and the thought behind the intriguing design, this is the spot!
The room is dedicated to offering insight into the structural inspiration for the museum.
Lusail Museum is expected to be a house for open dialogue and idea exchange once it is opened. The 'Think Tank' experience at the exhibition provides a glimpse of that.
Along with informative, interactive screens, the 'Think Tank' section also provides a section for activities for children - note that this section can only be used for school group tours.
To further understand the Western interpretation and depiction of Eastern culture in media, the New Voices in Arab Cinema showcases short films provided by the Doha Film Institute archives.
Have you visited this exhibition? Are you planning on going? Do let us know in the comments below. Do share this article - it keeps us going!
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