TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Art Basel Qatar opened its doors to the public at Msheireb Downtown Doha on Thursday.
Representing the first Art Basel fair in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) region, the event marks a significant shift in the gravity of the international art market. Presented in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+, the inaugural edition features 87 international exhibitors and 84 artists, according to the press release.
More than half of the participating artists hail from the MENASA region, showcasing a powerful surge of regional creative energy.
Under the leadership of Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer Vincenzo de Bellis and Artistic Director Wael Shawky, the fair introduces an innovative curatorial model. Spanning across M7 and the Doha Design District, the event abandons traditional booth grids in favor of solo artist presentations.
Centering on the theme “Becoming,” the format encourages a deeper, more deliberate engagement.
“This model allows artists to present complete thoughts rather than fragments,” Shawky said, noting that the fair aims to dissolve the line between the market and education. Shawky urges visitors to embrace a slow and conscious rhythm, suggesting at least 15 minutes of focus for each artist’s space.
On the eve of the opening, lead partner Visit Qatar supported the unveiling of “Song,” a site-specific work by Jenny Holzer at the Museum of Islamic Art. The installation projects the poetry of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish and Emirati poet Nujoom Alghanem onto the museum’s facade.
The debut was synchronized with a choreographed performance of 700 drones, reshaping the night sky with light and rhythm. Beyond the main halls, the special projects program features nine large-scale sculptures and installations throughout Msheireb, forming the most extensive public art group in Art Basel’s history.
For those attending, February’s pleasant weather makes the multi-site layout ideal for exploration. In addition to the exhibitions, the conversations series offers vital insights into the burgeoning MENASA artistic ecosystem, providing an unparalleled gateway into the Middle Eastern art market.
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