Hamad International Airport (HIA) announced its collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University School of Arts Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) on the occasion of the launch of ‘Small Lie’ by American pop artist KAWS, known as Brian Donnelly. The new art piece is part of the airport’s one-of-a-kind art installations curated in collaboration with Qatar Museums Authority, set to be revealed on the 7th March 2018.

Students from the VCUarts Qatar program are participating in a two-week competition to produce an art piece inspired by ‘Small Lie’. Three winning art pieces will be chosen by VCUarts Qatar and the selected students will have the opportunity to attend the ‘Small Lie’ launch event as well as meet the world-class artist KAWS. HIA’s collaboration with VCUarts Qatar sets to encourage the creative innovation and expression of the students by engaging them in KAWS’s influential work of contemporary art.

Vice President Commercial and Marketing from HIA, Mr. Abdulaziz Al Mass welcomed the collaboration: “On the occasion of the launch of Small Lie, HIA’s collaboration with VCUarts Qatar will set to showcase and engage students in HIA’s Art Programme as well as support rising artists in Qatar. HIA is known as an airport for art lovers and is used as an innovative space to instil creativity and inspiration. We look forward to welcoming the winners at HIA on March 7^th.”

HIA displays more than twenty permanent art pieces across the airport including The Lamp Bear by renown Swiss artist Urs Fischer and Methyl Salicylate spot paintings by Damien Hirst amongst others featuring peace and childhood, spirituality to the power of nature, the meaning of life, and the fusion of art and life. KAWS is the fourth American artist joining HIA’s Art Programme. Initially installed at Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the UK, the newly inaugurated ‘Small Lie’ will be located in the North node of HIA, near Concourse E, a strategic location for the benefit of the 30 million passengers transiting through HIA on a yearly basis.

Dr. Donald M. Baker, executive dean of VCUarts Qatar stated: “It is a great opportunity for our students to learn more about the art piece by KAWS. We hope this partnership will inspire and bring about rising artists in Qatar. VCUarts Qatar strives to contribute to the vitality of human, social, economic and environmental development in Qatar and the region through creative innovation, expression and collaboration.”

VCUarts Qatar was established in 1998 in Education City under the partnership of Qatar Foundation as a branch campus of the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. The university offers bachelors and masters programs in fashion, graphic, interior design, painting and printmaking.

In line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, HIA, as the gateway to the arts and culture, is doing its part in building a strong tourism and cultural landscape, inspiring millions of visitors and residents flying through the airport.

With its target of serving more than 50 million passengers, HIA is currently a candidate for the “Best Airport in the World” award by Skytrax which also classified it as a five-star airport in 2017, making it one among six other airports in the world to achieve this prestigious status. Earlier this year, it was ranked Sixth Best Airport in the World by the 2017 Skytrax World Airport Awards, moving up four places from 2016.

Cover image courtesy of HIA

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