Qatar Unveils Major Public Art Program Ahead of World Cup

Qatar Museums, under the umbrella of Qatar Creates, has announced a new public art program that will install 40 large-scale works across the emirate by autumn 2022, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup. The initiative features international artists from all continents, including Jeff Koons, who is creating 'Dugongo', a 21-meter-tall polished stainless steel sculpture of a dugong for Al Masrah Park. Ugo Rondinone's 'Doha Mountains' will be placed on the Ras Abou Aboud waterfront, echoing the Olympic rings colors of the nearby 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Peter Fischli and David Weiss will reprise their 'Rock on Top of Another Rock' installation at the Qatar National Theatre, previously shown at London's Serpentine Gallery in 2013. Already installed works include Katharina Fritsch's 'Hahn', a monumental blue rooster at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, and Shouq Al Mana's 'Egal' (2022) at Lusail Marina Promenade, a tribute to Qatari heritage. Shua'a Ali's sculptures 'Tawazun' and 'Milestones' on Grand Hamad Plaza explore Doha's architectural history. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, stated that the program represents a milestone for cultural exchange and aims to make art more accessible while celebrating Qatari heritage.