Exploring Doha: Cai Guo-Qiang: SARAAB

We tried to change our first impression on the  Mathaf - Arab Museum of Modern Art by getting to know the art behind it. 


And boy, did we changed our mind full turn! It's a MUST SEE EXHIBITION! Once we spent time understanding the art and its medium, we were fascinated. 

SARAAB displays newly commissioned artworks by Chinese-born contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang. The word SARAAB, literally means "mirage" evokes fantastical travelers' vision.

When we watched the series of videos of his works, we can't help but admire his art medium and his message. The artist explores ideas about historic, present day and imaginary travels between Doha and his hometown of Quanztou, China. 

Just imagine art using gun powder, explosion, gold and ceramics to name a few. 

Many of the art works were created here in Doha with assistance of local volunteers. Now wondering where were we? 

The exhibit will be on until 26th May 2012 with a fee of QR 25 but free for all students. It's pretty reasonable to enjoy all the artworks plus a movie and lots of videos. 

The Turknoy kids  enjoyed the videos especially the horses and  creative explosions. 

Oh and by the way, the rocks exhibition are titled "HOMECOMING", every rock has a story.   Guanzhou once had a multitude of cemeteries for Arabs and these rocks symbolizes the tombstones of those Arabs, the exhibition is  at tribute to Muslims and their tombstones.  And they are finally back home. Touching, isn't it. 

One of our favorite among all the galleries in the exhibition is the flying camel and the falcons. Both kids enjoyed the fun part of predicting what comes next after the scene in the gallery. 

Kylie predicted that the falcons will go home to their nests and eat the camel. Kerim simply counted and drew the birds. Left hand side of the brain hard at work. LOL. 

we love the flying camel and falcons!

camel and falcons are basically the symbol of the desert!

our Kerim drawing the camel and counting the falcons! fun!

silly Kylie noting that the falcons are not helping the camels fly; instead the camel will be eaten! hahaha

these are made of wax - great work of art.

We also LOVE LOVE another gallery about the ninety nine horses - especially when we saw how the art work was done for the exhibition in Doha with the participation of a lot of volunteers. Such hard work for creativity. A must see also. This particular gallery is actually the kids favorite. 


For more information, visit the museum's website here: MATHAF. We really highly recommend to spend 2-3 hours in the museum. It's all worth it. It never hurts to enjoy the modern art. Open our minds and heart to new and awesome idea; think outside the box, for the sake of our kids, the future generation. 





Keep exploring!