Msheireb Museums, a pioneering cultural heritage destination in the heart of the Msheireb neighborhood of Doha, in collaboration with Al Markhiya Gallery, hosted a panel discussion titled "Between Art, Architecture, and Urban Identity" as part of the exhibition program "Between Architectures" at the Mohammed Bin Jassim House.
Exploring the Impact of Architecture and Art on Doha's Identity
This session invited art and architecture enthusiasts to explore how traditional Qatari architecture and contemporary artistic expression shape the evolving identity of Doha.
The panel was moderated by Nada Abrah, a multidisciplinary designer, and its speakers included Mubarak Al Thani, an artist and urban planner from Qatar, and Dr. Soltana Al Nabet, an assistant professor of urban planning at Qatar University.
A Dialogue Between Past and Present
Mubarak Al Thani stated at the session: "In 'Between Architectures,' I seek to rediscover the city through an artistic lens, where architectural details and geometric forms become a visual language that reflects the relationship between place, memory, and identity, opening a dialogue between the past and the present."
The speakers discussed how geometry, repetition, patterns, materials, proportions, and spatial relationships influence artistic expression and the built environment, and how architectural heritage continues to inspire contemporary creativity.
This panel discussion continued as a complement to the exhibition that opened last month at the Mohammed Bin Jassim House, one of the four heritage houses of Msheireb Museums.
The exhibition demonstrates how the built environment influences creative practices and reflects the cultural identity of a city, offering new insights into the importance of Qatari architectural traditions in today's world.
Mohammed Al Youssef, the Director of Operations and Visitor Relations at Msheireb Museums, said: "At Msheireb Museums, we believe that understanding our heritage is essential for shaping a meaningful contemporary identity. Through our programs and partnerships, we are committed to supporting Qatari artists and creating opportunities for dialogue between cultural heritage, architecture, and contemporary artistic expression."
This dialogue examined the relationship between art, architecture, and urban development, emphasizing the importance of preserving Qatar's cultural heritage alongside embracing contemporary design.
Dr. Soltana Al Nabet added: "The identity of a city is not limited to its architecture, but depends on the relationship between people and place and the details of everyday life that give each neighborhood its unique character. When we look at old Doha, its value lies not only in its historical buildings but in the way its neighborhoods are organized, the proximity of homes, the balance between privacy and social interaction, and its response to the local climate."
She also noted: "Today's challenge is not only to reproduce the past but to understand the principles that shaped it and interpret them for the needs of contemporary society. This is where the dialogue between art, architecture, and urban planning becomes crucial in rethinking how to build cities that preserve their identity, strengthen people's connection to place, and respond to the aspirations of future generations."
Read more: Emily McGonigal, former British lawyer, became the voice of a successful Netflix series · Iran left the Doha negotiations and presented a new proposal for an agreement with the United States
