Berlin: At a special event held Thursday at the Neue Nationalgalerie, HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani announced the creation of Doha Pavilion: Gerhard Richter, a new permanent, site-specific structure conceived by the world-renowned artist.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Doha Pavilion has been designed by Gerhard Richter as a free-standing work of art and architecture housing a distinct body of his paintings and sculpture. Selldorf Architects collaborated with the artist to realize his vision for the project, which will be located in Doha's MIA Park. The pavilion will be unveiled on November 20, on the eve of the opening of Rubaiya Qatar, the nation's new contemporary art quadrennial.
Her Excellency made the announcement as part of a roundtable discussion with Annabelle Selldorf, Principal of Selldorf Architects, and Tom Eccles, Advisor, Public Art, for Qatar Museums and Co-Curator of Rubaiya Qatar. She also spoke at a public presentation at the Neue Nationalgalerie, engaging in a conversation with the Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson on the topic of "Art, Patronage and Cultural Stewardship."
During the event, Her Excellency discussed the long-standing relationship with Gerhard Richter, which has included the creation of the permanent installation Shadows Traveling on the Sea of the Day and the major exhibition The Curious Desert at the National Museum of Qatar. She emphasized Qatar's commitment to integrating art into everyday life, fostering knowledge and dialogue in public spaces.
Her Excellency expressed that the collaboration with Gerhard Richter through the Doha Pavilion holds particular significance as part of the continuing legacy of the Qatar-Germany 2017 Year of Culture. The Pavilion is expected to be a valuable addition to Qatar's cultural landscape, providing a new space for reflection and engagement with Richter's work.
Gerhard Richter, in his remarks, noted how Doha's architecture and history inspired the pavilion concept, which unites thematic threads from his Strip paintings. The Pavilion's exterior features decorative tiles based on the Patterns that first led him to the Strips. Inside, the Strip paintings are displayed alongside Mirrors, with the Strip Tower centrally installed.
Rubaiya Qatar, set to take place from November 21 through April 30, 2027, will focus on themes of global ecology, water's political and geographic significance, and Qatar's maritime heritage. With over 50 regional and international artists, the quadrennial aims to inspire new generations of artists and thinkers, utilizing Qatar's dynamic cultural hub as their platform. The event will unfold across multiple sites in Doha, including the newly renovated ALRIWAQ Arts + Architecture building, the Museum of Islamic Art, Katara QM Gallery, and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, along with public sites across the country.