Manama: Qatar is set to host "The Hottest Art Exhibition in the World" amid sand dunes and under the scorching heat of the hottest month of the year.
The world-first exhibition in such a location and season will feature ten abstract paintings by Doha-based artist Edgy set on the Singing Dunes, a tourist spot, on August 23 and 24, from 3pm to 7.30pm, Qatar Tribune reported on Tuesday.
It is the first of the artist's unique series of abstract art exhibitions which will be followed by the ‘Coldest Art Exhibition in the World', the ‘Highest Art Exhibition in the World' and the ‘Lowest Art Exhibition in the World'.
Promoting art in a natural setting
Edgy said his concept was to promote art in a natural setting. The Singing Dunes in Qatar is a famous tourist spot in the country and reportedly one of the about 30 such sites in the world, where a musical sound is produced when the air blows through the hillocks formed of shifting sand.
"The Singing Dunes is a very special natural phenomenon in Qatar. No other art expo has ever been organised under temperatures over 50 degrees Celsius in the hottest month of the year here," Edgy told the daily. "I would like also to see what nature does to the paintings. I did not use any special oil or acrylic. If nature destroys the paintings, then that is the paintings," he said.
Edgy has been into painting for over 15 years, but has showcased his works at private functions. Originally from Australia, he has been a resident in Qatar for six years. The art show on the Singing Dunes will be the first opportunity for the public to view his works.
"It is only during the last five years that I have devoted more time to my craft. I showcased my works during personal parties with friends but not yet in public. I received mixed response from them. I enjoy hearing the views people get out of my art. All my paintings have strong elements related to the Middle East culture. Each one has its own story, but I want people to get different things out of it."
Talking about his unique art show concept, he said his inspiration was mainly the environment and his surroundings.
"Through a friend, I heard of another artist who did an exhibition on the mountains. And so I thought of Qatar and what to do in this unique spot. This is the first of the series of unique exhibitions I will be launching," he said. "For the coldest exhibition, I am thinking of going to Antarctic, for the highest exhibition perhaps on the Himalayas and for the lowest it could be at the Dead Sea. I want to share this unique idea with the rest of the world."
Edgy has been working on an iconic art project called "Sticks" with Australian aboriginal Elder Joy Murphy Wandin (great granddaughter of famous aboriginal painter William Barak) and planned for release in 2012.
He also has completed another Middle East abstract series to be launched soon and is working on a "History Series" documenting changes in Qatar in the last 50 years.
