Public Art by Students at Crescent Park in Lusail Public Art by Students at Crescent Park in Lusail Public Art by Students at Crescent Park in Lusail Public Art by Students at Crescent Park in Lusail

April 20, 2021

Public Art by Students at Crescent Park in Lusail

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Public art installations by students of the local universities in Qatar, organised as part of a competition by Qatar Museums, were unveiled at the newly opened Crescent Park in Lusail City.

Crescent Park in Lusail is one of the most striking attractions of the residential Fox Hills district. Stretching over 275,000 sqm, the park is visible to onlookers with a unique arch marking the entrance to the park. The park is becoming an increasingly popular destination to its visitors who are attracted by its green open spaces, themed playgrounds and bicycle and pedestrian tracks and now the public art installations around the park.

The fact that the installations are organised by Qatar Museums as part of a competition for the various students of the Universities in Qatar makes this an additional attraction. The competition was aimed at students who are either currently enrolled in a university or are alumni who have graduated within the last two years. As part of the competition, participating students were able to experience the making of a public artwork from fine-tuning their concepts, working closely with local fabricators to installation. Artworks from students enrolled at Qatar University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Weill Cornell Medicine will be on display at Crescent Park in Lusail City as part of Qatari Diar’s hosting of the annual Student Competition exhibition.

A range of sports facilities is available at Crescent Park covering a variety of activities that include a nice sunken football pitch, three basketball courts, two volleyball courts, and three tennis courts. Additionally, a purpose-built play area has also been constructed for children.

The public artworks of Ahmed Mahrous, Hanof Ahmed, Hend Jamal, Majdulin Nasrallah, Reema Abu Hassan, Shaden Al Riyabi, and Shatha Al Riyabi explored concepts ranging from Qatari culture, wildlife and messages dedicated to the local efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic were installed at the Crescent Park in Lusail. Out of the seven public artworks, three winning installations will be selected by a judging panel comprising representatives from Qatar Museums.

SEA CAMELS/DUGONOLITHS

By AHMED MAHROUS

The installation comprises of six freestanding Dugonoliths arranged to catch natural light from the sun. Each of the steel plates has a Sea Camel cut into its vertical plate and is glazed with coloured filter sheets.

EYES DO NOT SLEEP

By SHATHA AL RIYABI

This art installation is a dedication to all the healthcare professionals and workers who have risked their lives during the pandemic to keep everyone else safe.

BALANCE BENCH

By MAJDULIN NASRALLAH

The Balance Bench is an interactive public artwork that tackles notions of barriers and boundaries both psychological and political ones which seems more relevant in the times of pandemic as well.

QATAR’S COLLABORATIVE MATRIX

By REEM ABU HASSAN

This is an interactive structure that draws on Qatar’s resilience and collaborative nature. Made of modular units that when assembled create a matrix, it allows people to sitm talk and even work and collaborate.

THE THAAL FAMILY

By SHADEN AL RIYAB and HEND JAMAL

Red foxes that are rapidly dwindling in numbers are the focus here and touch on the environmental vision of Qatar that focuses on maintaining wildlife in the country and to protect those who are endangered.

GENTLE GARGANTUAN

By HEND JAMAL NASHAR

This sculpture aims to bring awareness to the gentle species of whale sharks seen in Qatar. Using small Lego blocks the artist tries to take us to childhood memories as she touches on pertinent issues.

According to Qatar Musums, Director of Public Art at Qatar Museums, Abdulrahman Al-Ishaq: “Qatar Museums is honoured to have partnered with Qatari Diar and their generous allocation of space at Crescent Park means everyone can visit and experience this years’ outcomes of student works from various universities. Qatar Museums will be installing a number of Public artworks though out Lusail city in the next two years, in partnership with Qatari Diar.