Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar), in conjunction with Msheireb Properties, officially launched the 2016 ‘Strange Wonders’ exhibition at Company House, one of the four heritage houses within Msheireb Downtown Doha.

The ‘Strange Wonders’ exhibit represents a culmination of the artistic journey of the students, alumni and faculty and staff of VCUQatar.

This year’s exhibition was inspired by a vision set forth by Qatar’s new cultural icon, Msheireb Museums, which mandated that the works of art presented in ‘Strange Wonders’ 2016 derive from a theme of pioneering innovation, industrial development and growth and advancement. This creative guideline is in keeping with the history of Company House during the period of the discovery of oil and the life of those pioneers who set the bases of the modernization of Qatar.

The title “Strange Wonders” is based on a direct quotation from one of the original Qatari oil pioneers, Thamir Muftah, who witnessed the many new changes that came to Qatar with the discovery of oil. He recalled that, ‘we were seeing so many things of the like of which we had never even imagined. Coloured tins, pineapples, pears, oranges, all kinds of strange wonders”.

The exhibition aims to portray the inner core of innovation running throughout a structure of generations. It brings together unique, intergenerational mind-sets, ranging from the students and professors of VCUQatar, to its alumni and staff, and demonstrates an evolution of
a creative industry.

The ‘Strange Wonders’ exhibit also demonstrates VCUQatar and Msheireb Properties’ joint commitment to offering unique platforms that provide students, staff, faculty and alumni with the opportunity to create original works of art and to have their pieces presented to the public within a juried exposition. The exhibition will serve as both inspiration and education for promising local artists on the world of possibilities available within a diversity of artistic mediums.

Through this exhibition, Msheireb Properties underscores its enduring leadership in preserving and sharing Qatari national heritage and pride and to maintain partnerships with all entities that promote Qatar’s rich culture and history and preserves them for the next generations. For VCUQatar, ‘Strange Wonders’ complements and encourages the emerging and established talent within the university’s faculty and student body.

“This event marks one of those occasions to share our insight and capacities, to bridge our intellectual cultures, to foster value and quality, and to build on our distinct histories and heritages. At VCUQatar, we take pride in our creative endeavors as they further reach broader audiences, build partnerships and collaborations, and engage our communities and the world-at-large,” said Craig Anz, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at VCUQatar.

“It was important to Msheireb Properties to sustain our partnership with VCUQatar in the ‘Strange Wonders’ exhibition whereas Msheireb Properties’ mission and vision have always been aligned with a steadfast support of artistic pursuits and furnishing the next generation of aspiring artists with a world-class medium to unveil their creative endeavours. This year’s exhibit was especially significant because it underscores Company House’s directive of being the leading forum for proliferating the history and tradition of the forefathers of Qatar’s oil industry and their seminal role in the modernization and advancement of our nation,” said Hafiz Ali – Director of Msheireb Museums.

“In keeping with our mandate of safeguarding Qatar’s cultural heritage, Msheireb Properties will maintain its pledge of endowing emerging talent and contributing to strengthening Qatar’s rich cultural fabric through community focused initiatives and partnerships such as ‘Strange Wonders’,” he added.

‘Strange Wonders’ 2016 will feature a robust and eclectic mix of stunning and inventive visual arts in diverse materials and forms. Participating students, alumni and faculty and staff include: Sara Khalid Al-Buainain, Shaika Mahmoud Al Mahmoud, Nathan Ross Davis, Nagiya Moideen, Hadeer Omar, Fleming Jeffries, Othman M.R. Khunji, Dr. Thomas Modeen, Corinna Seto and Annette Wendling-Willeke.

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, celebrated the International Museum Day 2016 with interactive activities at Msheireb Museums that helped raise awareness of the importance of protecting and enhancing the cultural landscape in Qatar.

Located in the Heritage Quarter at Msheireb Downtown Doha, Msheireb Museums hosted students, academics, media and other invited guests from key local Ministries and educational establishments to mark the 2016 edition of the global event held under the theme ‘Museums and Cultural Landscapes’.
There were several elements to Msheireb Museums’ celebration of culture on International Museum Day 2016 that began with opening remarks from Hafiz Ali, Director of Msheireb Museums. The first of these was a lecture delivered by Dr. Robert Carter, Professor of Arabian and Middle Eastern Archaeology at UCL Qatar, who shared his insights into the development of Msheireb and Doha with evidence from archaeology, oral history, maps and aerial imagery. Dr. Carter specialises in the Archaeology of the Arab and Islamic World and has extensive knowledge into the origins of the Gulf towns.

The very insightful talk was followed by a panel discussion on the challenges in adapting the heritage houses used by Msheireb Museums to make them suitable for the 21st century, including the methods of restoration, protection and conservation used to create ‘living heritage’.
Guests were also invited to explore a photo gallery exhibit, which showcased the architecture of Msheireb’s Museums, beautifully combined with local poetry.

Eng. Ali Al-Kuwari, Chief Officer- Design and Delivery at Msheireb Properties, said: “Msheireb Museums is a cultural and heritage benchmark at Msheireb Downtown Doha, where visitors can experience the way of life in the past. The museums are equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology that allows the guest to have an in-depth understanding of major events that have shaped our history. On the occasion of the International Museums Day, it was our pleasure to host these events that enhance the cultural scene in Doha. We hope our guests have enjoyed this experience and have a better understanding of some of our heritage treasures.”

International Museum Day has been acknowledged on May 18 since 1977, with more than 35,000 museums participating in 2015 across 145 countries. The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.

Msheireb Museums mark a very significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable regeneration project. The Museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. They reveal unique aspects of Qatar’s cultural and social development in inspiring to create trusted environments in which the people of Qatar will engage, converse and exchange.

Msheireb Museums are an integral aspect of the inner city’s regeneration of the old commercial centre with its traditional community-based lifestyle. The restoration of the four heritage houses, Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House, into world-class museums forms a vital part of the Msheireb Downtown Doha development.

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), held a formal ceremony to mark the official opening of Msheireb Museums at Msheireb Properties’ flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) – the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, a brand new, cutting-edge development located in the heart of the capital.

The major milestone for the company was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson, Msheireb Properties, Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer, Msheireb Properties, and local dignitaries, VIP officials and guests of honour.

The opening of Msheireb Museums represents another key milestone in the development of MDD and marks the completion of the first phase of its Heritage Quarter. Consisting of four restored historical buildings, the Museums are part of the wider regeneration of the inner city to revive the old commercial center, recreating and modernising traditional Qatari life based on community, commerce and a sense of shared destiny.

A specialised team of leading local and international architects and experts have overseen the restoration and preservation of the four historical buildings. The Heritage Houses – commonly known as the Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed bin Jassim House and Radwani House – have been restored and converted into four culturally significant museums using carefully sourced materials that retain the spirit and building techniques of the original structures.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser commented, “Today Msheireb Downtown Doha enters a new chapter in its history, through which it will inspire young minds of the future with the wisdom and beauty of our past. With the opening of these museums, Msheireb reaches a milestone in fulfilling its vision of maintaining our unique architectural identity in Qatar, in a location that is set to be the vibrant heart of our capital.”

Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer said, “We are delighted to have officially opened Msheireb Museums, and I would personally like to thank Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser for attending the opening ceremony. This is a highly significant moment for Msheireb Properties. The Msheireb Downtown Doha development is a testament to Msheireb’s commitment to Qatar and to its 2030 Vision. Through this development we are seeking to preserve Qatar’s rich past while shaping its identity as a modern, progressive nation and the restoration of the four heritage houses is integral to this aspiration. Together these museums will welcome local, regional and international exhibitions and house public educational and outreach programs – with a vision to becoming a learning tool for future generations. “

Al Mehshadi added, “The opening of Msheireb Museums is a very tangible milestone on our journey to delivering MDD, and will give the people of Doha their first major glimpse into the calibre and quality that will be exhibited throughout the development, which has been constructed according to the highest ethical standards and international best practice. I would like to thank each and every person who has given their best to make this project a success.”