The Co-Chairs of Tasmeem Doha 2019 organised by VCUarts Qatar, (from left) Wajiha Pervez, Noha Fouad, Hadeer Omar and Yasmeen Suleiman, speak at the opening of the conference yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Doha: Tasmeem Doha 2019, the international art and design conference hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), began yesterday in Education City bringing together participants from all over the world.
The tenth edition of the biennial conference is being held under the theme ‘Hekayat’ (the Arabic word for ‘stories’) and will provide a platform where storytelling can be explored through various mediums, and stories can be shared and celebrated in a multitude of forms. “Tasmeem Doha plays a major role in supporting and encouraging the educational, economic and cultural vitality of Qatar. Over the years, the event has attracted globally recognised designers, artists and academics,” said Dr Donald Baker, Executive Dean of VCUarts Qatar. “This particular edition foster an even more diverse dialogue by creating an interdisciplinary schedule of events to a wide audience,” he added.
Tasmeem Doha 2019 is co-chaired by the first group of VCUarts-Qatar alumni Hadeer Omar, Noha Fouad, Wajiha Pervez, and Yasmeen Suleiman.
“We truly believe that everyone has a story to tell. They have hurdles, challenges and success to share. During the conference participants will be encouraged to share their stories through different mediums,” Noha told The Peninsula.
Speaking about the impact that Tasmeem Doha 2019 would create, Hadeer said, “The impact is very broad because contemporary art and design is changing also it depends on the story and perspective of the person who is telling. So it becomes very customised and subjective.”
The conference features Sir David Adjaye founder and principal of Adjaye associates and Julia Koerner and award winning Austrian designer as keynote speakers. Tasmeem Doha 2019 has three exhibitions as part of the conference and they will take place at VCUarts Qatar, and at the Fire Station: Artist in Residence.
‘Tasmeem In the Classroom - Behind the Scenes’ exhibition in the Project Space at VCUarts Qatar during the conference, take viewers on a journey through the different perspectives of VCUarts Qatar’s faculty and the ways in which they guide their students to imagine, create, interact, and locate stories in their creative work.
Workshops at Tasmeem Doha 2019 includes Ajrakh block printing, cross stitch embroidery, wooden spoon carving, and recordable greeting cards. It will involve student-led workshops, and exhibitions of student work and of international artists. There is also be a pop-up shop selling merchandise which has been specially designed for Tasmeem Doha 2019.
