Qatar and Mexico are committed to connecting their nations through design. The Arab country, through its Years of Culture program, is hosting Mexico and Canada as guests of honor in a cultural exchange this year.
The exchange between Mexico and Qatar began this month with the Qatar International Gastronomy Festival, which featured Mexican chefs such as Lupita Vidal, representing the cuisine of Tabasco. However, Mexican design will be a central part of the exchange and will be showcased in two of Qatar’s most important museums.
Mal Lawal is an exhibition that will bring together private collections of clothing and textiles from Mexico and Qatar, and will be on display at the National Museum of Qatar. Meanwhile, the Museum of Islamic Art will feature the work of Mexican designer Fernando Laposse, whose practice focuses on collaboration with indigenous communities and the use of sustainable materials.
In addition, a Qatar-Mexico residency called Design in Dialogue will take place. The resulting creations will be exhibited at Mexico Design Week and will later travel to the Doha Design Biennale.
“This initiative helps transform culture into a common language that transcends borders and opens broader horizons for understanding and connection between societies,” said Abdulaziz Al-Mulla, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Mexico, at a press conference. He added that through culture, the arts, and education, nations can share values and diversity.
Mohammed Al Kuwari, Latin America advisor for Years of Culture and former Qatari ambassador to Mexico, recalled that Years of Culture was launched in 2012 with the goal of bringing people closer together through cultural exchange and using culture “as a bridge between societies,” so that these partnerships can be lasting.
Source: eluniversal
