A Chance To Breathe by Azimul Hasson, at M7.
Doha: The biennial Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar inaugurated its 2023 edition yesterday.
The festival brings together innovative photographers and photographic communities from Qatar and the Western Asia and North Africa (WANA) region.
Tasweer opened four exhibitions: Doha Fashion Fridays and A Chance To Breathe exhibitions at M7, Qatar’s epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion, and tech; Hadeer Omar: And Thereafter immersive installation at Al Koot Fort; and Mashael Al Hejazi: My Mother Lulwa’s House installation at Majlis Barahat Al Jufairi. The exhibitions and installations are on view from today, March 15 until May 20.
The event is organised by Qatar Museums and presented as part of Qatar Creates, the year-round national cultural movement that curates, promotes, and celebrates the diversity of cultural activities in Qatar. Established under the leadership of Qatar Museums’ Chairperson, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Tasweer builds on Qatar’s commitment to nurture artistic talent, support creative industries, and further develop the nation’s creative economy.
Sheikha Mayassa said: “The medium of photography can tell stories and convey meaning like no other. Yet, despite photography’s popularity and accessibility, the number of opportunities for the artform to be recognised, studied, and discussed with practitioners, critics, and enthusiasts are becoming fewer, especially in our region. As we prepare for our second Tasweer biennial, we build on our 2021 success with a more robust presentation of exhibitions, an even larger platform for Qatari and international creatives to display their work, and an enhanced schedule of programmes for the public to enjoy.”
Khalifa Al Obaidly, acclaimed Qatari photographer and Director of Tasweer, said: “Tasweer presents a dynamic and integrated schedule of various exhibitions, specially commissioned installations at historic sites, cross-cultural partnerships, workshops, and more. We are pleased to be reactivating two commissioned installations that stimulate Qatar’s heritage locations in addition to the exhibitions at M7.”
At Al Koot Fort, on the edge of Souq Waqif, And Thereafter presents an immersive installation by Qatar-resident artist Hadeer Omar in collaboration with Sonic Jeel, an artistic collective exploring hybrid-media, initiated by Michael Hersrud, Simone Muscolino, and multidisciplinary designer Katia Kolovea.
And at Majlis Barahat Al Jufairi, My Mother Lulwa’s House presents an installation by Qatari artist Mashael Al Hejazi that honours the social and architectural character of this historic district of Doha and the collective memories and narratives of the Al Baraha community, where she had lived during her childhood.
