Hamad International Airport gives an exclusive tour to Qatar-based international artists to showcase its art collection

In partnership with Qatar Museums, international artists were taken on an exclusive tour to discover HIA’s art treasures

DOHA, Qatar, 2018-Apr-04 — /Travel PR News/ — Hamad International Airport (HIA) welcomed the International Artists of Doha (IAD), a group of 29 Qatar-based international artists. In cooperation with Qatar Museums, IAD were given a private tour of the airport to discover and explore the artworks displayed both airside and landside of HIA. HIA is home to a collection of more than twenty art pieces of both local and global artists, hand-picked to be displayed at the airport.

The HIA art program seeks to turn the airport into an innovative public space for creativity beyond the walls of a gallery or a museum in order to entertain and inspire as well as reduce stress level of millions of people flying through the airport annually. As strong supporters of public art, HIA takes pride in showing a great selection of art pieces in cooperation with Qatar Museums.

The artists’ tour began with a viewing of  ‘The Flying Man’, two iconic sculptures designed by renowned Iraqi artist Dia al-Azzawi and installed in HIA’s passenger terminal for travellers to enjoy while flying through the airport. The 15m high dual sculptures are based on the story of Abu Firnas, a historical figure from the Islamic world who was an early pioneer in flight experiments.

Commenting on the tour, His Excellency Willy Kempel, Austria’s Ambassador to Doha and IAD President said: “We are delighted with this beautiful tour, allowing us to discover a very innovative, creative and vibrant art space. This tour stirred the highest attention from all members of the IDA Group. Art installations displayed at HIA are representative of the airport’s cultural intersection between local roots and global reach, transcending all cultures and beliefs. I would like to thank HIA and Qatar Museums for their wonderful hospitality and their joined efforts in making the airport a unique location for arts & culture.”

Abdulaziz Al Mass, Vice President, Commercial and Marketing at HIA, added: “HIA is an airport for art lovers and art curious. We are delighted by the visit of the International Artists of Doha. We believe that art and creativity must be enjoyed beyond the confines of a gallery and are proud to turn HIA into an innovative public space.”

During the two-hour tour, the artists visited more than 13 art pieces and received detailed information about each one as well as general information about HIA.

At the end of the tour, the international artists viewed the newest art piece at the airport, ‘SMALL LIE’ by American pop artist Brian Donnelly, known as KAWS. The iconic piece was unveiled on 7 March in a ceremony attended by local art enthusiasts and representatives of the media.

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SOURCE: HIA

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