Maraya Art Centre’s Ramadan exhibition Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qassimi inaugurates ‘The Beginning of Thinking is Geometric’

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Public Work, His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Maraya Art Centre’s Manager, Giuseppe Moscatello and curator Sara Raza / Courtesy of the Maraya Art Centre

The opening night also saw the UAE’s art community, public figures, media representatives, and members of the public, all of whom commended the rich variety of works on display. 'The Beginning of Thinking is Geometric', is an experimental group exhibition that explores the use of geometry as a thinking science concerned with origins and meaning within the work of a diverse group of contemporary artists and designers.

Drawing from both Western and Islamic philosophy and theory the exhibition investigates the shift from pragmatic sciences towards artistic inquiries into the use of geometry as a means of articulating logic and mapping space and time. The exhibition showcases a wide spectrum of visual art mediums that range from drawing, installation, informal architecture, computer animation, video, text, functional design and sculpture.

Faycal Baghriche / Purification / Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

“The exhibition shares the underlying theme with Islamic culture and symbolizes Islamic Art. It brings me great pleasure to see Maraya Art Centre’s latest exhibition during the Holy Month of Ramadan. With the Emirate of Sharjah, being the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014 this shows our commitment in the arts for the community,” said Giuseppe Moscatello, Maraya Art Centre Manager.

A group show of 13 established and emerging artists - the exhibition showcases the works of the following artists: Sarah Al Abdali, Sarah Abu Abdallah, Ebtisam Abdulaziz, Farhad Ahrarnia, Zeigam Azizov, Fayçal Baghriche, Ala Ebtekar, Basmah Felemban, Fatima Al Qadiri & Alex Gvojic, Mobius Design Studio & Faysal Tabbarah, Hayv Kahraman, Nasir Nasrallah and Jamal Tayara Baroudy.

Mobius Senna / Work in progress sketch I,II, 2013 / Courtesy of Maraya Art Centre

Exhibition highlights include brand new site-specific works by renowned San Francisco based artist Ala Ebtekar along with Jeddah based emerging artist Basmah Felemban. Furthermore, a special design focus also explores and expands the curatorial theme through informal architectures with projects by UAE based, Mobius Design Studio with design architect Faysal Tabbarah and designer, Jamal Tayara Baroudy who revisits the traditional Arabic majlis.

The exhibition will be running until September 30, 2013.

Maraya Art Centre

The Maraya Art Centre is an innovative arts space and in the region, showcasing curated exhibitions and public programmes that aim, to promote and encourage emerging artists and creative communities in the UAE and greater Gulf. A non-profit art space and cultural platform located in Al Qasba, Sharjah, the Maraya Art Centre is an initiative by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), with the purpose of promoting young artists from both the Arab region and the international art scene.

Officially launched in March 2010, it is one of the UAE’s most spectacular venues for contemporary visual arts. A three-storey art centre, established over 1500 square meters located in the heart of UAE’s cultural capital, it includes the Maraya Art Gallery on the third floor, the Barjeel Art Foundation on the second floor, which features the private collection of Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, and Maraya Community, which offers a diverse range of programmes and educational activities, on the first floor.