MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART PRESENTS LANDMARK EXHIBITION SURVEYING THE ISLAMIC ARTISTIC TRADITIONS OF MOROCCO

DOHA, Qatar,Nov. 5, 2024/PRNewswire/ --The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) unveiledSplendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco's Heritage, on view until8 March 2025. Organized as part of theQatar-Morocco2024 Year of Culture, the exhibition presents around 200 objects to tell a multifaceted story of Moroccan history, society, artistic expressions, and how they continue to animate the nation's cultures today. The opening reception was attended by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Chairperson of Qatar Museums and the Years of Culture initiative, andPrincess Lalla HasnaofMorocco.

Splendours of the Atlasincludes loans from Moroccan institutions including the National Foundation of Museums and the National Library ofRabatthat have never before been shown inQatar. Previously unseen works from the collections of Qatar Museums, MIA, and the future Lusail Museum are also on display.Splendours of the Atlasis curated by Dr. Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya, MIA Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs. 

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bintHamad bin Khalifa Al Thanisaid,"We are extraordinarily fortunate to partner with institutions acrossMoroccofor ourQatar-Morocco2024 Year of Culture, which will greatly expand the ability of Qataris and those living inQatarto gain insight into the grand Islamic traditions of our neighbor inNorth Africa. Our shared commitment to scholarship, scientific discovery, and artistic excellence has created a fertile basis for this year's rich Year of Culture program."

Years of Culture spearheads long-lasting cultural partnerships betweenQatarand other nations. It exists to promote respect and understanding among diverse cultures. 

Splendours of the Atlasis organized thematically:

• "Faces ofMorocco: Landscapes and Society"will immerse visitors in a mosaic of photographs byBruno Barbey,Irving Penn, Lalla Essaydi, Mous Lamrabat, andMounir Raji.
• "The Soul ofMorocco: Kings, Saints, and Scholars"delves into Moroccan dynastic history.
• "Threads of Tradition:Morocco'sArtisanal Mastery"explores the pivotal role of crafts inMorocco'smany cultures.
• "Traditional Sounds ofMorocco"presents musical instruments that are used to create everything from the Andalusian melodies of the cities to thegnawamusic of the South.
• The final section is an ode to contemporary Moroccan craftsmanship. If features seven commissioned works by Moroccan artistNoureddine Amir, which respond to traditional crafts while reinventing them as new abstract works that hang from the gallery's ceiling. 

SOURCE Qatar Museums