Going Dutch in Doha
|
Qatar People, Qatar Interviews|
Seven Dutch artists came together recently
in Doha to exhibit their work. |  |
|  |
Date:
05/31/2009 | |
| |
GOING DUTCH IN DOHA
Women’s eyes stare out of veils, splashed
across brightly coloured backgrounds. Around
the corner, sailboats float towards abstract
splashes of bright colours.
Seven Dutch artists came together recently
in Doha to exhibit their work for two-days
only. Ellen Van Vloten Dissevelt, wife of the
Dutch Ambassador to Doha, organized the
event, both to give artists a chance to display
their talent, and as a goodbye to Doha as her
family prepares to move to Venezuela after
four years in Qatar.
“There’s hardly any opportunity to exhibit. And
I think it’s also important that foreign women
or foreign artists should have the opportunity
to exhibit like all the others here,” she said.
“Art opens doors for everyone. And that’s why
it should not be limited only to Islamic art or
to foreign art, it should be a combination of
all kinds of art together. That’s where the
need is here. That’s also what it is- bridging
the cultures through art.”
Several hundred people attended the exhibit,
which Van Vloten Dissevelt says is a positive sign.
“It’s not such a common thing at the moment yet.
Like with music a few years ago, I organized a
few concerts as well, it was very unusual. It’s
come up, and now we have lots of possibilities to
go to orchestras, to enjoy musical concerts,” she
said. “And I think with exhibiting as well, it will
come. But it will maybe take a few more years.”
But it’s something Qatar is actively striving
towards. First with the Museum of Islamic Art,
and with the coming Cultural Village, Qatar is
positioning itself to be the cultural and artistic
heart of the region.
“That sets an example for everywhere here in the
region,” she said. “There’s a lot of energy here,
there’s a lot of positive energy amongst everyone.
And also, it’s a peninsula, you’re in the sea, and
when you’re at the sea, things go more smoothly.”
Although not an artist herself, she says that’s
never stopped her from diving head first in the
artistic pool in Doha.
“I'm not an artist, no! But I like art very very much.
And that’s what I say- if you have a passion in
life, you go for it. I like it! And I think if you have
a passion then you can achieve everything. That’s
my whole motto in life,” she said. “Art should be
part of the culture, it’s within everybody’s soul.”
|
|  |
|
Suggest Interview | | | |
If you like us to take someone's interview, pleaseclick here. | |  |
| | |  |
Events Category
|