‘Mapping Migration Memories’, an exhibition researched and produced by (IN)>TANGIBLE LAB, part of the Institute for Creative Research at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (a Qatar Foundation partner university), will open at the Company House in Msheireb Downtown Doha on November 22, 2023. The exhibition will run until January 27, 2024.

‘Mapping Migration Memories’ is the result of a multi-year research project aimed at preserving the intangible cultural heritage of Qatar.

The exhibition is a testament to the need to protect generational knowledge and celebrate the sheer grit and perseverance of a population’s ancestors. It does this by spotlighting the historical biannual nomadic movements, between the deserts and the seacoasts in and around Qatar.

Gathering and using existing, archived, and recorded memories, photos, films and oral histories, the installation traces and reenacts the migration paths of the north and south, capturing the visual and soundscapes of the rugged terrains traversed during their biannual journeys.

VCUarts Qatar faculty, alumni and students make up the core team of (IN)>TANGIBLE LAB that worked on the concept, development and production of the exhibition. They are Graphic Design alumni Maha Al Marri, Sara Al Naimi and Latifa Al Ali; student research assistants Sheikha Alanood Al Thani and Natasha Fernandez; the Lab’s Principal Investigator Astrid Kensinger,Chair, Graphic Design; and Alaa Albarazy, Postgraduate Research Fellow.

The core team was assisted by Maysaa AlMumin, Associate Professor, Art Foundation; Guillaume Rouseré, Sound Artist and Designer; Dr. Aspa Chatziefthimiou, Lab Consultant and Ecological Mentor and Guide; Fatima Dauleh, filmmaker; Shaima Sherif, Lab Consultant and Heritage Mentor and Guide; Raviv, Lab Advisor and Desert Tracker; Josh Bell, Project Build and Development; David Mathew, Technology Integration; Fatima Nazir, Graphic Design alumna and Lab Visual Identity Designer; Nishi Rafols, Business Specialist; and Louis Philippe Demers, Exhibition Design Consultant.

To understand the relevance of the exhibition – and (IN)>TANGIBLE LAB – one needs to look no further than UNESCO’s statement: “Cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.”

Explaining the aim of the exhibition, and Lab, further, Astrid Kensinger said, “As the world becomes increasingly homogenized, Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements are vulnerable to being lost or forgotten. (IN)>TANGIBLE LAB seeks to preserve and extend Living Culture with an emphasis on traditional ecological knowledge of Qatar into the future.

“Our aim is to capture and physically translate the vibrantly diverse oral histories within Qatar through interdisciplinary lenses. In this context, physical re-enactment and embodied knowledge are powerful tools for extending intangible cultural heritage allowing a specific audience or public to experience and participate in a multi-sensory narrative. This is why the exhibition is immersive – it has sound, touch, texture, film and words directly related to the desert.”

In addition to the physical installation, the exhibition also features a video focusing on Sara Al Naimi as she retraces her ancestors’ biannual migration routes in the north of Qatar, and Maha Al Marri as she tracks her forefathers’ footsteps towards the south of Qatar and into what is currently Saudi Arabia.

Maha Al Marri said the research project opened her eyes to the importance of preserving and cherishing oral history.

“Our history extends beyond what we learn in school or read in books; there's more to discover and appreciate in our culture’s precious memories by listening to and observing the tales of the elders. Alongside my professor, Astrid, researchers and artists who also contributed, we discovered a powerful tool which is re-enactment. When I relived the journey of our great-grandparents and their steps in the desert sands, I began to pay attention to the sounds of history and eagerly followed its echoes,” Al Marri said.

She added, “The (IN)>TANGIBLE LAB is a sacred space to me, a special place where I feel the stories of our ancestors come alive. It's a magical link between where we come from and where we're going. It's not just about studying the past, or learning; it's a personal adventure, a rediscovery of identity, and a commitment to ensuring our heritage thrives in the hearts and minds of generations to come.”

The location of the exhibition – Company House – couldn’t be more apt. Situated within Msheireb Downtown Doha, the museum is part of Msheireb Museums, a project by Msheireb Properties, part of Qatar Foundation. Decades ago, the building was once used as the headquarters for Qatar’s first oil company . Today, itserves as a dedicated space for preserving the oral histories of Qatari pioneers while highlighting the significance of indigenous knowledge in shaping the development of modern Qatar.

Msheireb Museums Exhibitions & Programs Manager Fahad Al Turky, said, “Msheireb Museums serves as a vibrant platform for educational institutions, helping bring academic research to the public. It's not just a showcase; it's an interactive tool for learning and exploration, fostering meaningful engagement. I look forward to welcoming exhibition visitors to Msheireb Museums where they can spend valuable time bridging the gap between learning and community enrichment.”

Source and cover image credit: Press release

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Cassandra Pallagud

Content Writer

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