Bodour Al Qasimi Opens ‘Prototypes for Permanence’ Exhibition.

Sharjah: Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Visionary of Tanweer Festival, inaugurated an exhibition at 1971 - Design Space titled 'Prototypes for Permanence: Tanweer Festival Art Commissions Off-Site.' The exhibition, held in the lead-up to the highly anticipated Tanweer Festival, offers an exploration of creativity, interconnection, and expression.According to Emirates News Agency, the exhibition was officially inaugurated today and will run until 3rd April, 2025. It unveils the intricate creative processes behind the 10 art installations that will be on display at the festival, providing an immersive journey into the conception, development, and realisation of large-scale artworks designed to endure the landscape of the Mleiha Desert.Highlighting the works of 10 renowned artists, and enriched by a programme of curator-led tours, artist talks, workshops, and social events throughout the 5-month exhibition, 'Prototypes for Permanence' extends the dialogue on creativity, resilience, and human connectio n beyond the artworks.The Tanweer Festival 2024, themed 'Timeless Echoes of Love and Light,' will take place on 22, 23 and 24 of November, 2024, in the Mleiha Desert. This year's festival draws inspiration from the teachings of poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi, featuring performers, artists, and poets, celebrating creativity, unity, and the connection between art, nature, and the human spirit.The concept of 'Prototypes for Permanence' transcends traditional boundaries of an art exhibition, serving as a narrative of artistic endeavour, documenting the processes of creation. It provides viewers with the opportunity to witness the genesis of the Tanweer Festival's sculptures and installations, from initial sketches to developed prototypes.Through a presentation of drawings, conceptual models, material experiments, and artist interviews, the exhibition reveals every stage of creative evolution. It portrays how these works materialise, echoing the words of Rumi, as 'the way appeared.'A defining element of the exhibi tion at '1971 - Design Space' is its recreation of Mleiha's sand dunes. Visitors traverse a pathway that evokes a journey through the desert, providing an immersive experience. This pathway situates the prototypes within a space reflective of Mleiha's setting, inviting viewers to engage with themes of wisdom and the human bond with nature.The installations range from interpretations of Rumi's teachings to works inspired by the desert, offering artistic perspectives and underscoring the relationship between creative expression and environmental resonance.Each artist presents a unique contribution to the festival. From Karim + Elias' 'The Desert Relics' to Azza Al Qubaisi's 'Rumi's Path', and Khalid Shafar's 'Palm Oasis', each installation provides an interpretation of the festival's theme.Patricia Millns' 'star circle' and Zeinab Alhashemi's 'Toroid' explore the connection between celestial and terrestrial forms, while Nedaa Elias' 'The Gate of Wisdom' engages viewers in a meditation on Rumi's poetry. Ra bab Tantawy's 'The Guardians' brings an element of cultural guardianship, enriching the concept of resilience.The exhibition is enriched by loaned works such as Ahmad Kattan's 'La Mutanah: An Infinite Majlis', Raghad Al Ahmad's 'The Night of Power', and Omar Al Gurg's 'Nu', each contributing layers of cultural and introspective expression.