> KIOSK für nützliches Wissen
Erzählungen von Orten, Städten
und Territorien
Raumkontrolle 11:
"NATION BUILDERS"
A project commissioned by the UAE
Pavillion for the 53rd
International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
June 7 – November 22, 2009
Photo:Katrin Greiling
KIOSK life event at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi 26th
of March 2009
KIOSK life event at Gallery XVA, Dubai, 21st of
March 2009
“Nation Builders” is based on five public conversations
in Dubai & Abu Dhabi, March 2009, featuring key figures in the development
of the UAE cultural panorama.
The “Kiosk” project, founded 2004, is gradually assembling
an archive entitled “Narrations of Spaces, Cities and Territories”.
Conversation 1:
“The Story of the Poem of the National Anthem” Dr.
Aref Al-Sheik is the Director of the Examination Directorate, UAE Ministry
of Culture. He has published over 55 books, including 11volumes of poetry,
and has authored the lyrics to the UAE national anthem. Rashed Omar Al
Kharji has over 20 years experience in the regional media and is currently
a television broadcaster for Sama Dubai TV, helming his own program focusing
on national culture, history and future.
Conversation 2:
“Branding Dubai: the Al Quoz Cultural District” Mishaal
Al Gergawi is Projects and Events Manager at the Dubai Culture & Arts
Authority. A former investment banker, Al Gergawi regularly contributes
to the new UAE daily The National. Dr. Anna Klingmann is founder of KLINGMANN
Architects, whose BRANDISM®—an approach to merging architecture and branding—
anticipated current global trends. Latest publication: Brandscapes: Architecture
in the Experience Economy (MIT Press 2007).
Conversation 3:
“Imagining a Nation on December 2, 1971” Dr. Zaki
Anwar Nusseibeh is adviser to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and
interpreter to President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Chairman
of the UAE Pavilion Executive Committee, and Deputy Chairman of the Abu
Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, he was formerly the personal
interpreter and advisor to the founder of the UAE, HH the late Sheikh
Zayed. Lana Nusseibeh is Director of Research and Communications, Ministry
of State for Federal National Affairs. Her areas of policy work include
parliamentary affairs, human trafficking, human rights issues and labor
market reform.
Conversation 4:
“Towards a sustainable UAE” Lee Tabler is CEO of the
Tourism Development Investment Company (TDIC) and oversees major developments
in Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island. He has over 27 years international
real estate development experience. Armen Vartanian has been involved
in venture capital and entrepreneurship his entire career. He is Director
at EcoVentures Dubai, an emissions reduction and carbon finance firm.
Conversation 5:
“Processing a Private Collection of 20th Century Arab
Art” Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi is a Sharjah-based businessman, founder of
Barjeel Securities Dubai, chairman of the UAE Chapter of Young Arab Leaders,
columnist and blogger. His encyclopedic collection of Arab art has never
been exhibited. Antonia Carver is a Dubai-based writer and editor working
with contemporary artists and filmmakers. Carver is editor-at-large of
the arts quarterly Bidoun and writes for a wide range of publications.
She’s on the programming teams of various international film festivals.
&
Bonus material:
The Making of "Nation Builders" (6 min.) Edited by
Scandar Copti, Jaffa
The 5 conversations have been screened and recorded: 21 March 2009, Gallery XVA courtyard, Bastakiya, Dubai and 26 March 2009 Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Camera: Nomada, Editing: Mounir Harbaoui
UAE Pavillion in Venice, Photo: Mohamed Somji
Venice: Lamya Gargash, Tirdad Zolghadr, Dr. Lamees
Hamdan