Public Art and Public Space in an Emerging Knowledge Economy: The Case of Doha

Authors: Anna Grichting, Sara Al Sada, Angelica Caccam, Urshi Khan

Abstract:

Qatar, a Gulf country highly dependent on its oil and gas revenues – is looking to innovate, diversify, and ultimately reach its aim of creating a knowledge economy to prepare for its post-oil era. One area that the country is investing in is Contemporary Art, and world renowned artists such as Damien Hirst and Richard Serra – have been commissioned to design site-specific art for the public spaces of the city of Doha as well as in more remote desert locations. This research discusses the changing presence, role and context of public art in Doha, both from a historical and cultural overview, and the different forms and media as well as the typologies of urban and public spaces in which the art is installed. It examines the process of implementing site-specific artworks, looking at questions of scale, history, social meaning and formal aesthetics. The methodologies combine theoretical research on the understanding of public art and its role and placement in public space, as well as empirical research on contemporary public art projects in Doha, based on documentation and interviews and as well as site and context analysis of the urban or architectural spaces within which the art is situated. Surveys and interviews – using social media - in different segments of the contemporary Qatari society, including all nationalities and social groups, are used to measure and qualify the impacts and effects on the population.

Keywords: Contemporary Public Art, Knowledge Economy, Public Realm, Site Specific Art Works.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1338136

References:

[1] R.Rivera. “Art Debate” in The Peninsula, October 12th, 2013.
[2] D. Sandle. “Public Art and City Identity”. Political and cultural issues in the development of public art in the UK city of Leeds. Remesar A (2000), (Ed): Waterfronts of Art 2. Art for social facilitation Mongrafies socio-ambientals, 30, Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona 2000).
[3] Cartiere C. & Willis, S. (2008). The Practice of Public Art. New York: Routledge
[4] Miles, M. (1997). Art, Space and the City. New York: Routledge
[5] Toumi, H. (2013, Oct 29). Zinedine Zidane head-butt statue in Doha Corniche is removed. Retrieved from http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/qatar/zinedine-zidane-head-butt-statue-in-doha-corniche-is-removed- 1.1248543
[6] Vogel, C. (2013, Oct 08). Doha’s bold step in public art. International Herald Tribune Retrieved from http://0- search.proquest.com.mylibrary.qu.edu.qa/docview/1439934545?account id=13370
[7] Aguilar, J. (2014, April 10). Sculpture has evolved, says US artist Serra. Gulf Times, p.8.
[8] Oxy Qatar celebrates National Day with sculpture by celebrated artist Sabah Arbilli. (2013, December 17). Retrieved January 31, 2015, from http://www.qatarisbooming.com/article/oxy-qatar-celebrates-nationalday- sculpture-celebrated-artist-sabah-arbilli
[9] The Miraculous Journey by Damien Hirst. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2015, from http://www.qm.org.qa/en/project/miraculous-journeydamien- hirst
[10] The '7' Sculpture. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2015, from http://www.mia.org.qa/en/mia-park/serra
[11] McManus, D. (2008, December 7). Museum of Islamic Art Park – Doha Landscape. Retrieved January 31, 2015, from http://www.earchitect. co.uk/qatar/museum-islamic-art-park