ABOUT THIS EPISODE
We explore Mathaf’s role in shaping the narrative of modern and contemporary Arab art over the past 15 years with Zeina Arida, the director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art at Qatar Museums. Zeina reflects on the evolution of the museum’s collection, the thinking behind acquisitions and exhibitions, and how archival practices inform the way complex art histories are presented today. She also discusses Mathaf’s upcoming expansion, its support of artists across generations, and its position within both Qatar’s cultural ecosystem and the international museum landscape. Join us in this episode of Qatar Create’s Evolution Nation podcast to get a closer look at how Mathaf continues to steward Arab modern art while shaping its future.
00:00 Introduction
02:05 Defining Mathaf’s Legacy and Ambitions
04:02 A Platform for Regional Artistic Production
05:47 Navigating the Complexities of Running a Museum
07:35 Creating a Unique Museum Model
09:57 Sheikh Hassan’s Support System for Artists
11:23 The Resolutions Exhibition: Archiving the Past
15:20 Groundbreaking Early Programming
18:10 The Curatorial Ecosystem and Encyclopedia
20:57 The "We Refused" Exhibition and Resistance
24:28 Spotlight on Featured Artists in "We Refused"
27:51 Global Solidarity and Political Narratives
31:37 Audience Q&A: Qatar’s Cultural Ecosystem
33:57 Defining the Target Audience
36:06 Staying Relevant in a Changing World
38:40 Cultural Risk and Artistic Freedom
39:26 Conclusion
Zeina Arida's career in the Lebanese cultural sector spans over twenty years. From 1997 to 2014, she was the director of the Arab Image Foundation (AIF), where she set up and managed various artistic and photographic preservation projects. She also served as a board member of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) from 2006 to 2012, and was a member of the Prince Claus Fund Network Partner Committee from 2007 to 2013. She is currently a member of the Board of the Directors of MUCEM, Marseille; a member of the Advisory Board of Darat Al Funun, Amman; and a member of the Scientific Committee of Beit Beirut.
Connect with Zeina Arida 👉 https://instagram.com/zeinaarida
Hosted by Mikey Muhanna
Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu
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