November 26, 2008 | Broadcast News

by Nicolai Ourousoff, DOHA, Qatar — There is nothing timid about the ambitions of the new Museum of Islamic Art that opens here next week. Rising on its own island just off the city’s newly developed waterfront corniche, it is the centerpiece of an enormous effort to transform Qatar into an arts destination. The inaugural festivities on Saturday, including a performance by Yo-Yo Ma, attracted art-world luminaries from around the globe.

Viewed under the light of a spectacular evening fireworks display, the museum’s colossal geometric form has an ageless quality, evoking a past when Islamic art and architecture were a nexus of world culture. At the same time it conveys a hope for reconnecting again.

More on the new Museum of Islamic Art from Art & Design Section of the New York Times

Related posts:

1. Post-Museum (Singapore): Local residency available; deadline Jan 18 Local residency available in Post-Museum this year: We offer free...
2. The National Museum turns 120 [Image and Text Courtesy of Theatreworks] “Dear Friends, We...
3. Wall and piece: David Chipperfield, Julian Harrap and the Neues Museum, Berlin. Wall and piece: David Chipperfield, Julian Harrap and the Neues...
4. Herzog & de Meuron to design new museum of modern art in Calcutta THE ART NEWSPAPER - Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron...
5. Louvre draws veil over artistic neglect with bold new Islamic wing The Guardian.co.uk - It is known as the Veil...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5ft Creatives (also affectionately known as FiveFootWay) is an independent, ideas company based in Singapore that is committed to the advancement of innovative positions in architecture.