Hamad International Airport (HIA) continues to be a destination all by itself as it welcomed a group of 27 art lovers recently as part of Qatar Museum’s (QM) Culture Pass Programme.
HIA said tour participants were introduced to the unique collection of artworks throughout the terminal and learned about the newest art installations to join the airport’s Art Programme.
These include Small Lie by American artist and designer KAWS, and Cosmos by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.

Small Lie’s inspiration came from the artist’s relationship to wooden toys growing up.  This wooden marionette is made from Afrormosia wood, weighs 15 tonnes and stands at 32ft tall. Cosmos is inspired from an artefact located in the collection at the Museum of Islamic Art. The intricate gold globe installation symbolises the path of travellers around the world.
Both artworks are located in HIA North Node, near concourses E and D.

HIA currently has more than 20 permanent pieces displayed in different locations across the airport’s airside and landside to cater to passengers and guests. Art lovers can enjoy a diversified portfolio of artworks that includes paintings, sculpture, wood art, electronics and interactive installations. HIA is also home for a local art collection produced by regional and Qatar-based artists that showcases a multi-disciplinary approach using calligraphy, photography, sculpture, and graffiti amongst other techniques.

Local artists include Mohamed al-Jaida, Mubarak al-Malik, Amal al-Atham, and Yousef Ahmed, and Qatari artist Faraj Daham, who was commissioned to create large-scale murals, whilst artist Ali Hassan produced a desert horse sculpture.HIA works closely with QM to continuously grow its art collection and to bring creative local, regional and global acclaimed artists to diversify the existing collection.

Cultural Pass members who joined this latest edition of the tour also got a chance to experience some of the summer activities that HIA is hosting across the terminal as part of Summer in Qatar programme.
Activities around the airport include cultural excursions, live performances, kids’ zone and a wide range of activities throughout the summer season, which gives travelling passengers a chance to experience Qatar’s rich hospitality and culture.

Source https://www.gulf-times.com/story/638030/Culture-Pass-art-lovers-tour-HIA-attractions

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