As part of an ongoing commitment to bring one of the highlights of its 2017 exhibition programme to the local community, Qatar Museums (QM) has teamed up with the Volkswagen Group, the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region and the German Embassy Doha to launch a series of innovative and inspiring workshops featuring some of the biggest names in design.
The series, initiated by Volkswagen Group, supports the Driven By German Design exhibition that opened at QM Gallery Al Riwaq last month. Focusing on theory and practice, it brings together world-leaders in automotive and industrial design to inspire Qatar’s young creatives, students and enthusiasts.
The first event this Wednesday, 15 November at Al Riwaq will explore the future of automotive design. Over the course of an hour-long lecture, Peter Wouda, Head of Volkswagen Group’s Future Centre, will address the evolution of German automotive design – from its beginnings through to today’s developments, and look ahead to the future. In a broad ranging discussion, he will also explore the future of mobility including self-driving vehicles, and provide insights into the current work of his team at the Volkswagen Group Future Centre in Potsdam. The lecture starts at 5:30 pm.
The second event on 20 November at QM Gallery Al Riwaq is featuring renowned industrial designer Stefan Diez. Stefan Diez has held a Professorship at Hochschule Kassel since October 2017.
https://www.marhaba.qa/event/driven-german-design/
In his lecture, Professor Diez will give insights into the design process, share his experience working with different materials and outline the importance of building prototypes. He will also explain the impact of digitalisation on his work as a designer, exploring the challenges but also the opportunities this creates. Stefan Diez is also inviting members of the community to join him for a guided tour through the exhibition after his lecture.
Finally, an event by Dr Mateo Kries, Director of Vitra Design Museum, will take place on 27 November at QM Gallery Al Riwaq. Mateo Kries will speak about his curatorial practice and collecting design objects. He will explain how design museums see into the future by promoting innovation, tracking trends and making them accessible to a large global audience.
The programme further highlights QM’s strong commitment to education and follows the success of a series of workshops held last month that gave university students the opportunity to work on a project overseen by Art Director Birgitta Homburger, who teaches at the Universität der Künste, Berlin and Professor Lutz Fügener from the Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences.
Khalid Al Ibrahim, Chief Strategic Planning Officer at Qatar Museums said the response to Driven By German Design has been phenomenal.
Building on Qatar Museums’ commitment to inspire and nurture new creative talent in the country and supporting talented young individuals to fulfil their potential, we’re delighted to welcome these leading figures to share their expertise and insights with our community.’
Driven by German Design is organised by QM in partnership with Volkswagen Group, the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region and the German Embassy Doha as part of the landmark ‘Years of Culture’ initiative developed under the guidance of QM Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The exhibition, running at QM Gallery Al Riwaq in Doha until 14 January 2018, brings together for the first time different design disciplines including architecture, graphic design, product design, automotive design, fashion and furniture design. It offers visitors a range of insights into both the artistic value of developments in design and their cultural significance by showcasing design concepts and works created and developed in Germany by German designers since 1945.
For more information about the lecture series, visit the Qatar Museums website through this link.
