Bringing the Past and Present Together Through Art

The Resonance installation, created by graphic designer Maryam Namvar and architect Neda Salmanpour, is an immersive and interactive art piece that invites visitors into a sensory conversation with the past and present of Al Shindagha. Curated by Munira Al Sayegh, the piece comprises three delicately suspended metal panels that move with the wind, reflect shifting light, and echo the rhythms of the creek. The installation draws inspiration from the constant movement of water, trade, architecture, languages, and communities that have long shaped life in this area. The piece’s dynamic nature highlights the cultural evolution of Al Shindagha, incorporating elements of the community’s history, while also adding a contemporary touch.

Promoting Public Art for Community Engagement

Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, stressed that public art plays an essential role in the emirate’s cultural ecosystem. He emphasized that the Dubai Public Art Strategy is a platform for artists to draw from Dubai’s rich cultural heritage and express their creative visions. “Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood stands as a witness to the evolution of Dubai into a global city,” said Dr. Bin Kharbash, highlighting the importance of the site in Dubai’s collective memory.

Maryam Namvar and Neda Salmanpour, the artists behind the installation, said, “Al Shindagha serves as a cultural and historical touchstone, and, with our artwork Resonance, we wanted to capture the emotion of being there. We aim to contribute to the ever-evolving culture and context of the city by creating a piece that will evoke thought, emotion, and conversation.”

Continuing Dubai’s Public Art Journey

Resonance is the first in a series of three Dubai Public Art projects, which will continue to bring thought-provoking art into public spaces like the Shindagha Historic District, Al Quoz Creative Zone, and Hatta. This initiative reflects Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Alserkal Arts Foundation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing artistic excellence among UAE-based artists, fostering deeper connections between the city’s creative community and its people.

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The Berardo Collection, amassed by the prominent business magnate, will form a pivotal part of the inaugural exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu de Arte Contemporânea/Centro Cultural de Belém), set to open on October 28, as confirmed by Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB).

The seizure of the Berardo Collection occurred after the collector was unable to repay lenders who were owed over $1 billion in debt collateralized by the valuable artworks. The collection includes an array of masterpieces by renowned artists such as Picasso, Joan Miró, Piet Mondrian, Gerhard Richter, and Francis Bacon.

The Museum of Contemporary Art will debut with a comprehensive presentation of various collections, including the Berardo Collection, the Ellipse Collection, and the Teixeira de Freitas Collection. Additionally, a solo exhibition featuring works by Belgian artist Berlinde de Bruyckere will be on display. The new museum aims to foster dialogue and appreciation for diverse artistic journeys and contemporary practices while creating a connection between the past and present.

The Centro Cultural de Belém, encompassing over 1 million square feet, serves as Lisbon’s primary cultural hub, offering a broad range of arts and cultural programs across multiple disciplines and hosting conferences. The Museum of Contemporary Art’s establishment marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the CCB, strengthening its role as a nexus for visual arts, architecture, and performing arts.

The Berardo Collection had been pledged as collateral for loans from Portuguese banks, and its seizure was a result of Berardo’s financial woes. While the Ellipse Collection was incorporated into the state’s art collection, the status of the Berardo Collection remains legally ambiguous, with Berardo still recognized as the owner pending a court decision.

This groundbreaking initiative was initially proposed by Pedro Adão e Silva, Portugal’s minister of culture, and was undertaken by the foundation overseeing the Centro Cultural de Belém. Despite legal challenges and confiscations, the museum has remained accessible to the public.

As the anticipation builds for the unveiling of the Museum of Contemporary Art and its transformative impact on Lisbon’s art scene, the Berardo Collection’s imminent presence continues to fuel discussions around art ownership, restitution, and the intricate interplay between culture and legality.

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