Doha, Qatar: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the world’s leading institution for modern and contemporary art from the Arab world, announced that a major campus expansion is under way, led by the celebrated Lebanese-born architect Lina Ghotmeh, founder and principal of the Paris-based studio Lina Ghotmeh – Architecture, the architect behind the future Qatar Pavilion in the Giardini of La Biennale di Venezia.
Timed to coincide with Mathaf’s 15th anniversary, the phased expansion was inaugurated on 16 December with the opening of a newly created, majlis-inspired library and conversation space dedicated to art publications from the region, built around a set of flexible, building-block-like furniture units that can be reconfigured to meet different needs. In the years ahead, what is today the Museum’s parking lot and plaza will be redesigned into studio facilities for artists and designers working in ceramics, glass, sound, and textiles.
These developments highlight Mathaf’s position as the world’s leading centre for displaying and researching Arab modernism and mark the beginning of a new era for the institution, where it will become a place for creating and developing new art and ideas.
Director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Zeina Arida said, “We are extremely proud to mark our 15th anniversary by inaugurating a new chapter in the Museum’s history. By expanding Mathaf’s programmes and spaces to include residency studios, makerspaces, and workshops for ceramics and glassmaking, as well as a unique sound residency programme, we are transforming the Museum into a place where artists can also create. This significant development will enhance visitor experience, strengthen community engagement and reinforce Qatar’s investment in developing infrastructure for its growing creative economy.”
Lina Ghotmeh, founder and principal of the Paris-based studio said, “It is my honour to accept this remarkable commission and to have the opportunity to create new spaces for Mathaf and transform its architecture. The Arab Museum of Modern Art is a rightly cherished and unrivalled institution that will evolve into an active Museum of making and learning, in addition to exhibiting and displaying. Alongside the future Qatar Pavilion in the Giardini of La Biennale di Venezia, this expansion will offer the world a remarkable space for the presentation of art and ideas, especially by artists from our part of the world.”
The first phase of the expansion, already completed, reconfigures the Museum’s ground floor into an open-plan library that offers visitors the opportunity to browse Mathaf and Qatar Museums publications, as well as an extensive selection of art books. It also functions as a community hub, hosting a wide range of events, workshops, and talks. The Majlis is complemented by an expanded book and gift shop, which is operated by QC+, as well as a café offering casual dining.
