CCS BARD

HOW TO BEGIN? ENVISIONING THE IMPACT OF GUGGENHEIM ABU DHABI

How can the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi position itself beyond serving as a pragmatic tool to boost tourism in its locale? What role can it play in the existing arts infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and the larger area of cultural structures defined by the term “Middle East”? How can this museum accrue value for artworks that are produced in this region and its diasporas? Taking its cue from these questions, How to Begin? Envisioning the Impact of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi presents a collection of essays by artists, curators, and writers. In a setting where all strategic plans and arguments reside in conjecture, this publication not only aims to introduce a set of critical responses to the most recent support structures in the arts, but also imagines alternative possibilities for how these structures might be built and influence the practice of artists, curators, and other cultural producers. This project is the manifestation of creative and critical activity at a time when the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is yet to be built and the related questions linger without answers.

Panel Discussion:
Monday, April 19, 5 – 7 p.m.

How to Begin? Envisioning the Impact of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi invites Tirdad Zolghadr, writer and curator, and Sohrab Mohebbi, M.A. candidate at the Center for Curatorial Studies, to explore the possible impacts of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on the art scenes of the Arab countries, Turkey, and Iran.

How to Begin is curated by Ozge Ersoy as part of the requirements for the master of arts degree in curatorial studies.

Student-curated projects at CCS Bard are made possible with support from the Rebecca and Martin Eisenberg Student Exhibition Fund; the Mitzi and Warren Eisenberg Family Foundation; the Audrey and Sydney Irmas Charitable Foundation; the Board of Governors of the Center for Curatorial Studies, and by the Center’s Patrons, Supporters, and Friends. Special thanks to the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.