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Qatari designer Shaikha Al-Sulaiti reveals her iconic piece MSHEIREB LIGHT at ‘The Shapes of Water’ exhibition

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Doha, Qatar, October 2018:

The Qatari designer Shaikha Al-Sulaiti revealed her iconic piece ‘The Msheireb Light’ in a special ceremony marking the opening of The Shapes of Water’ exhibition. Taking place at Msheireb Enrichment Centre on Doha Corniche, the exhibition, which is curated by the Italian Embassy, is part of a global road show focusing on the art of creating pieces inspired from the different shapes of water.

Inspired by the water of Qatar, The Msheireb Light is a symbolic representation of Qatar’s support of truth, clarity and transparency, with the water symbolizing purity and truth, and the brass enclosure representing success. The Rosso Levanto marble reflects the colours of the Qatari flag, and being the base supporting the source of light which is intensified by water, it metaphorically implies that Qatar supports truth and clarity, whilst being surrounded by success and prosperity.

The text in brass quotes is taking from the Qatar national anthem, and translates to “Qatar will always be free – by the spirit of the loyal”. The Msheireb Light was designed with the concept of recycling in mind; part of the piece wasreused from a Qatari brand bottle.

Mr. Ali Al Kuwari, Acting CEO of Msheireb Properties said: “We are proud to present this iconic art piece created by our creative designer, Shaikha Al-Sulaiti. This reflects the capabilities and talents of our designers. Shaikha Al-Sulaiti is a great asset to the company, and along with her astonishing designs, she also supervises the interior design and implementation of our flagship development project, Msheireb Downtown Doha. The same creativity of the piece is reflected in her work in the project”.

Shaikha Al-Sulaiti, the designer and creator of the piece, ‘The Msheireb Light’ said: “This piece is inspired by the water of Qatar. It reflects the beauty of my country in an artistic way that embodies our values and the love we have for Qatar.””.

In her capacity as the Manager of Interior Design at Msheireb properties, Shaikha Al-Sulaiti ensures the unique architectural language seamlessly transitions to the interiors; and that Qatari elements are present throughout Msheireb Downtown Doha. During construction, her role is to monitor contractor progress and ensure quality is of the highest possible standard.

Al-Sulaiti concluded: “Our mission is to set a new benchmark for design and construction quality in Doha and the Middle East, utilising knowledge and insights gained from workshops with designers, architects and operators from the concept phase through to the present day.”
Qatar has reiterated its commitment to provide all the resources needed for the empowerment of women in all fields, which is part of the social development of Qatar National Vision 2030. Women in Qatar have proved their capabilities in all domains, especially in arts and culture where they lead the sector by their creativity and innovation.

Msheireb Enrichment Centre is a landmark destination created by Msheireb Properties to serve as an educational portal, showcasing Qatar’s glorious past and soaring ambitions for the future. Itoutlines Qatar’s glorious past, present and ambitious plans for the future, housing some of Qatar’s historic artifacts, antique work tools and a treasure trove of information on Qatar’s extraordinary growth. Qatar’s distinct architecture and rich heritage is narrated at the Msheireb Enrichment Centre through the use of striking imagery, reclaimed implements, architectural highlights and interactive mediums that highlight the human element that truly embodies Qatar’s rich heritage.

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Msheireb Properties wins two prestigious awards at 2018 Qatar Sustainability Awards

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Doha, Qatar, 29 October 2108:

Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable developer and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Sciences and Community Development, bagged two coveted awards at the 2018 Qatar Sustainability Awards, held yesterday (28thOctober).

Msheireb Properties’ flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha, was recognized for its exceptional standards of sustainability throughout the Qatar Academy Msheireb Building,which won for ‘Green Educational Building’, and Bin Jelmood House which wonin the category of ‘Green Cultural Building’.

Ali Al-Kuwari, Acting CEO, Msheireb Properties, said: “This is another milestone in Msheireb Properties record of success and achievement. This year, Msheireb Properties has been honored with two awards at the hugely anticipated and respected Qatar Sustainability Awards. This reflects our unyielding commitment to protecting the environment and preserving natural resources, which is part of our mission and effort to contribute to the environment pillar of 2030 Qatar National Vision.”

Qatar Sustainability Awards recognise the efforts, commitment, and contributions of individuals, institutions and organisations in furthering sustainable development and environmental protection in Qatar and beyond.

The two MDD facilities were lauded for their energy and water efficiency, use of non-potable water, rainwater recovery and on-site renewable energy generation. Some of the features include renovation of heritage houses, energy efficient building design with recessed windows, energy recovery of outside air entering the building, optimised ventilation using carbon dioxide (CO2) detectors, and a high efficiency district cooling plant.

Qatar Academy Msheireb, a member of Qatar Foundation, is a pioneering school located at Msheireb Downtown Doha. The building of the school is distinguished with its sustainable features that make it a perfect educational building. Bin Jelmood house, is one of the four heritage houses of Msheireb Museums. The house was renovated preserving its architectural language and design, and encompasses important features of sustainable buildings.

Sustainability is central to Msheireb Downtown Doha’s conservation of natural resources and quality of design. The building designs include thicker walls and orientation, which enables them to benefit from the shade of adjacent buildings, provides natural cooling and reduces the need for air-conditioning.  Furthermore, the adoption of the latest, cutting-edge technology enables Msheireb Properties to produce renewable energy, monitor electricity use, and make the most efficient use of water, all of which translate to reduced emissions, energy and water usage, and waste production.

Msheireb Properties is a Platinum Sponsor of the 2018 Qatar Sustainability Week.

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The Shapes of Water Exhibition at Msheireb Enrichment Centre until 3 November

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October 18th, Doha, Qatar:

The Embassy of Italy to the State of Qatar and Triennale di Milano, in partnership with Msheireb Properties, presented on the 17th of October, in the prestigious location of the Msheireb Enrichment Centre, the exhibition “The Shapes of Water”, a survey on social design and product design projects related to different uses of water.

The exhibition, open to public for free from the 18th of October until the 3rd of November, comes from a project of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) with Triennale di Milano.  The framework of the programme, “Italy, Cultures, the Mediterranean”, is an initiative launched by MAECI to encourage dialogue and cultural exchanges, and promote the various cultural forms and identities of the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Gulf.

“The Shapes of Water” exhibition deals with the theme of environmental sustainability, and specifically water, a fundamental resource for mankind that has turned into a precious commodity, and in some cases, into a cause of geopolitical tensions due to its scarcity in certain territories. However, the use of water and its governance have always been a subject of interest for design since, as it is perceived as a limited resource, water has become more and more relevant for business and commercial purposes. The idea of the exhibition is to present water as a bond – not as source of division – between peoples and to return to the authentic social and civil concept at the core of design.

“We are particularly pleased”, said the Ambassador of Italy to the State of Qatar, H.E. Pasquale Salzano, “that Doha represents the first destination of a prestigious travelling exhibition, which will bring a selection of innovative and creative design objects in other countries of the region.”

“The Shapes of Water” exhibition is composed of two sections. The first section provides an overview of items related to different uses of water (condensing, collecting, carrying, extinguishing, farming, filtering, keeping, purifying, washing), made by international designers. Pride of place has been given to those projects that offer innovative solutions to the problem of water scarcity. The second section showcases some specially made items to express the primary function of water “to quench one’s thirst”. This is a series of works aimed at reinterpreting the archetypical shape of the jars according to the different issues and needs of the designers’ countries of origin, with a particular focus on local manufacturing, traditional techniques and materials.

Ambassador Salzano continued, “The items of these designers, even if inspired by different – although very close – cultures, traditions, languages and skills, are able to build a weft of reflections which celebrates the binding, cohesive nature of water for those countries that, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf region, present a great variety of values and cultural identities”.

Mr. Ali Al Kuwari, Acting CEO Msheireb properties said: “Msheireb Properties, a developer of one of the most Sustainable City Districts in the World, is proud to be part of this cultural and artistic event and host such an exhibition at Msheireb Enrichment Centre, the landmark destination created by Msheireb Properties that serves as an educational portal showcasing Qatar’s glorious past and soaring ambitions for the future. It is the perfect place for cultural exchange that build connections between people and civilisations. We thank the Italian Embassy in Doha for their effort and curating this artistic exhibition to the people in Qatar, and look forward for more collaboration.”

The number of countries represented in the exhibition is quite impressive: Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. On show is also the work of the young Qatari interior designer Shaikha Al Sulaiti. Her art piece, named “Msheireb Light”, is a symbolic representation of Qatar’s support to the concept of truth, clarity and transparency. “I realised this object by reusing a bottle from a Qatari brand, with the idea of up cycling in mind”, Shaikha Al Sulaiti explained at the opening of the exhibition. “It is composed of three materials: the Rosso Levanto marble, which reflects the colors of the flag of my country; water, which symbolizes the concept of truth; and the brass, representing the prosperity and success of Qatar. The quote in the brass comes from our national anthem. It reads: ‘Qatar will always be free – By the spirit of the loyal’”.

“Today, from Doha, we are sending out a very powerful message of cultural inclusion and openness to diversity” – concluded Ambassador Salzano. “Qatar does not close the doors to cultural exchange, to dialogue, to cooperation. Qatar is an example of inclusiveness, no matter where an art piece comes from. Culture is meant to express the best side of human beings and is a powerful means to overcome divisions”.

The exhibition “The Shapes of Water” is the first event taking place in the framework of the Qatar Sustainability Week – from October 27th to November 3rd 2018 – an initiative promoted by the Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC), under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. During the opening of the exhibition the director of QGBC, Eng. Meshal Al Shamari, presented the programme of activities scheduled for the Sustainability Week, which is meant to raise awareness in the public opinion on the theme of environmental sustainability.

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Msheireb Museums Claims CECA Award for Best Educational Practice

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Doha, Qatar 23 September 2018:

Msheireb Museums (MM), the cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), won the ‘Best Educational Practice Program’ award by the International Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA) during the CECA conference and awards, held in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA) is one of the oldest International Committees of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and with over 1,000 members from 85 countries, CECA is also one of its largest. Members are professionals working in different sectors of the museum field or institutions related to museums; as educators, curators, professors, communication agents or interpreters, interested in education and cultural action applied to a particular sort of heritage.

The ‘Best Educational Practice Program’ award explores a range of creative practices in museums that support CECA’s main message of enriching educational and cultural applied actions. It is an award granted to 5 participants with 5 different practical projects that explore their own individual heritage.

 

Msheireb Museums’ winning project, Bin Jelmood educational programme, introduces the story of Bin Jelmood house in an effective and engaging way, using innovative methods to reach a young target audience. The Bin Jamood House, which tells the story of slavery and how it has evolved into modern forms of human exploitation, is one of four historic heritage houses that make up Msheireb Museums.

 

Hafiz Ali, Museum Director said: “We are proud that our museums education initiatives are being recognized globally, and look forward to continuing to deliver high-quality, engaging and immersive learning experiences for the public.”

 

Commenting on Msheireb’s participation, Milene Chiovatto- President of CECA said: “Congratulations to Msheireb Museums for being a star in our award ceremonies for best practices in CECA. We are honoured to have them represented this year.”

 

Commenting on the Award, Sheikha Moza Al-Thani, Education Officer at Msheireb Museums said: “This year, I am honoured to have been one of the awarded participants for the Bin Jelmood House educational programme and activity collateral. The booklet that was recognized by ICOM jury members, introduces students aged 8-12 to the history of slavery in Qatar. It took a lot of hard work to produce, and I am very proud that it has been recognized by such an esteemed organization.”

 

In addition to the winning educational programme, Msheireb Museums, in collaboration with the University College of London – Qatar (UCL-Q), presented at the conference, a research paper titled “When a University and Museum Work Together”, which outlined the successful series of UCL-Q Masters in Museum Studies students’ exhibitions hosted in Msheireb Museums.

 

“We always look forward to working with UCL-Q and various educational institutions to develop community led exhibitions that offer an exciting and insightful perspective on Qatar’s heritage and social history”, added Fahad Al-Turky, Exhibitions Manager at Msheireb Museums.

 

Since Msheireb Museums opened in 2015, it has a record of hosting exhibitions and conferences that raise awareness on various cultural topics that support the cultural scene in Qatar.  The aim of the UCL-Q exhibitions is to ensure the academic engagement of students through a museum’s learning experience, in which students are given the opportunity to experience creating a full museum exhibition.

 

Last year, Msheireb Museums hosted the ‘Back to Msheireb’ Exhibition in Mohammed bin Jassim house, which documented Msheireb’ s transformation into a centre of commercial activity and an intercultural crossroads for people of diverse origins between the years 1980 and 2009.

Earlier this year, the Museums hosted the ‘We are the daughters of Qatar’ Exhibition, which aimed to raise awareness on the role of women during the pre-oil era of discovery and what kind of social and economic changes were made through history to enable womens’ empowerment.

Aisha Al Kuwari, Education Manager at Msheireb Museums said, “The ‘We are the daughters of Qatar’ Exhibition is aligned with stories of Qatari pioneers in the main office of the oil company house located in the inner neighborhood of Msheireb in the 1930s.”

Additionally, this year Msheireb Museums celebrated International Museum Day by hosting workshops, presentations and a panel discussion in collaboration with CECA.

 

Msheireb Museums education initiatives are intended to deliver high-quality learning experiences to the local community, endeavor to create a variety of opportunities to encourage the understanding of Msheireb Museums’ narrative, and to encourage immersive learning experiences that are intellectually stimulating and enjoyable for the target audience.

 

These programs act as a platform to support the teaching of Qatari history and related subjects. Msheireb Museums education initiatives aim to be influential in engaging young people in Qatar to better understand and appreciate their history and to inspire future generations. This leads to a continuation of research in the future and ongoing learning about Qatari culture, history and heritage.

 

In line with its mandate, Msheireb Museums has built strong connections and collaborations with academic institutions – including universities, colleges, and research programmes – to ensure better engagement with the museum’s offering and content. In addition, visitors of the museums have access to the valuable digital resources of Qatar National Library.

Msheireb Museums represent a significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable and smart city regeneration project. The museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Qatar’s old town. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. These reconstructed buildings and gallery spaces allow the community to engage in some of the most significant aspects of Qatar’s past and memories of a life before the country’s rapid economic development.