Besides Soccer, Qatar Is Packed With Activities Around the World Cup

Mathaf: The Arab Museum of Modern Art

Three exhibitions

Through January and February

This far-less-flashy but still impressive museum is tucked away on a side street behind one of the stadiums, but makes its own bit of noise by highlighting some of the most important contemporary artists in the Middle East and beyond. Three exhibitions, in addition to the permanent collection, highlight that approach: “Majaz: Contemporary Art Qatar” features work by 36 artists from an artist in residence program from 2015 to 2021. Each piece acts as a metaphor (or majaz) for the artist’s journey (through Feb. 25); “Sophia Al-Maria: Invisible Labors Daydream Therapy” is the Qatari artist’s first large-scale exhibition in the Middle East (through Jan. 21); “Taysir Batniji: No Condition Is Permanent,” a reflective exhibition of the artist and his meditations on his heritage (he was born in Gaza in 1966) through drawing, photography and video installations (through Jan. 21).

“Tales of a Connected World”

QM Gallery Al Riwaq

Through March

This interactive exhibition focuses on the Lusail Museum (designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog de Meuron, construction begins early next year), and its planned collection of 247 objects, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, rare texts and applied arts. “Tales of a Connected World” is an immersive digital journey that walks visitors through the trade routes across the Indian Ocean and historic events that connect Qatar to the world and history, including the Battle of Al Wajbah in 1893 between Qatari and Ottoman forces, but also more far-flung places like Jerusalem and 10th-century Córdoba.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/sports/soccer/qatar-world-cup-activities.html