Qatar
Museums (QM) has teamed up with Volkswagen Group, the Goethe-Institut
Gulf Region and the German embassy in Doha, to launch a series of
innovative and inspiring workshops featuring some of the biggest names
in design.
The initiative forms part of an ongoing commitment to
bring one of the highlights of QM’s 2017 exhibition programme to the
local community.
The series, initiated by Volkswagen Group, supports the Driven By German Design exhibition that opened at QM Gallery Al Riwaq last month.
“The
response to Driven By German Design has been phenomenal and highlights
the widespread enthusiasm in Qatar for innovative design and the
influence of some of the industry’s leading proponents – from the
historic past to the present day,” QM’s chief strategic planning officer
Khalid al-Ibrahim said.
Focusing on theory and practice, it brings
together world-leaders in automotive and industrial design to inspire
Qatar’s young creatives, students and enthusiasts.
The first event takes place today (November 15) at 5.30pm at Al Riwaq and will explore the future of automotive design.
Over
the course of an hour-long lecture, Peter Wouda, head of Volkswagen
Group’s Future Centre, will address the evolution of German automotive
design – from its beginnings through to today’s developments, and look
ahead to the future.
In a broad ranging discussion, he will also
explore the future of mobility including self-driving vehicles, and
provide insights into the current work of his team at the Volkswagen
Group Future Center in Potsdam.
The second event takes place on
November 20 at Al Riwaq and features renowned industrial designer Stefan
Diez who has held a Professorship at Hochschule Kassel since October
2017.
In his lecture, Stefan Diez will give insights into the design
process, share his experience working with different materials and
outline the importance of building prototypes.
He will also explain
the impact of digitalisation on his work as a designer, exploring the
challenges but also the opportunities this creates.
Diez is also inviting members of the community to join him for a guided tour through the
exhibition after his lecture.
An
event by Dr Mateo Kries, director of Vitra Design Museum, will take
place on November 27 at Al Riwaq. He will speak about his curatorial
practice and collecting design objects.