With the U.S. tour of Past Forward: Contemporary Art from the Emirates concluded after its last display in Lexington, Kentucky, Dana Al Marashi, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC’s Head of Heritage and Social Affairs Department, shares her thoughts on the exhibition:
I had the privilege of showcasing my work alongside other pieces in Past Forward’s stop at The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, a contemporary art museum at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. The architecture of the museum, designed by the famous Zaha Hadid, is outstanding, and the museum is considered to be one of the most significant of its kind in the US, so that was an honor in and of itself.
Past Forward: Contemporary Art from the Emirates is the first and largest touring exhibition of Emirati art in the United States. Michiganders can find it on display at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum on-campus at Michigan State University through October 18. This exhibition offers visitors perspective on the impact of rapid economic development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the rich heritage of the Emiratis, and the struggle to maintain a balance between seizing a bright future and honoring traditional roots. Continue
The following is a blog post by artist and designer Khalid Shafar, whose work is featured in Past Forward: Contemporary Art from the Emirates.
This is the last post in this series about the arts and culture scene in the United Arab Emirates – the first featured events, and the second highlighted museums and galleries in the UAE. This third post focuses on government establishments throughout the UAE that supplement and support the arts and culture sector in the UAE by organizing and overseeing major cultural and artistic projects as well as preserving heritage sites. This post also highlights universities that have provided exceptional educational opportunities in the field of art to both UAE nationals and residents.
