New Capitals of Contemporary Art: Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Amman

Catalog description

Over the past decade, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have emerged as major cultural capitals, redirecting the artistic compass away from the global North by becoming regional hubs for artists seeking alternative ecosystems. In contrast, Amman has been a stable home for artists from neighboring Palestine, Iraq, and Syria since the early 1990s, offering a cultural counterpoint to the UAE's rapid artistic development. How do artists respond to the these socio-political exigencies? How has the proliferation of arts institutions in cities shaped regional and global cultural expression? And what role does cultural production play in a nation's image? This course involves in-depth engagement with key institutions in these dynamic cities to explore regional art histories, artist responses to socio-political issues, and the impact of arts institutions on cultural expressions in the Arab world and beyond. Through visits to Sharjah Art Foundation, Louvre Abu Dhabi, 421 Arts Campus, Darat al Funun and MMAG Foundation, amongst others, students will investigate how cultural production shapes national images and develop interdisciplinary research to map new perspectives in contemporary art. This course includes a regional academic seminar to Jordan. This course will be offered in June-Term 2025.