34 December 2011 BTM happeningsartsculture The Ministry of Culture’s ‘Sculpture Symposium’ will be an unmissable event for all those who take an interest in art. Located outside the National Museum, you are invited to gaze in awe as a group of 16 renowned Arabic artists create something from nothing — quite literally. The artists will each create an art piece entirely from a block of marble, right in front of your eyes. This year’s symposium marks the fifth event of its kind, since its conception in 2002. It was originally introduced by founder of the Bahrain Arts Society and Hend Gallery owner Ali Al Mahmeed, after he visited a similar event in Lebanon and was inspired to build on it here in Bahrain. As the symposium’s general commissar, he believes the Ministry of Culture have made the symposium a major event in Bahrain’s calendar. “It’s an art event which is not to be missed. It showcases the talent of Arabic artists and how, even under the pressure of members of the public watching, they can create complete masterpieces. It’s a great chance for the people of Bahrain to see the talent that surrounds them,” he says. This year, in celebration of the events launching Manama as the Arabian Cultural Capital for 2012, only Arabic artists will take part. The group of selected artists will include four Bahrainis, five Arabs from the GCC and seven from other Arab countries. During the course of the event, the museum doors are open for any visitors who wish to see firsthand how the artists go about their masterpieces. “One of the main advantages of the event being outdoors is that people can come and see the artists at work and see the work that goes into the process of how a piece of art is made from a block of stone within days,” explains Ali. Only natural marble will be used as the medium this year and the 2.5- to 3.5-metre long blocks will be pre-ordered by the artists from Oman. The final display of the sculptures will be held on the January 10 in the museum itself in conjunction with Manama the Arabian Cultural Capital for 2012 events, where both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Culture will be present. The sculptural pieces of the previous four symposiums are now still displayed in or around the National Museum and include works of international artists from all over the globe, and the pieces from this exhibition will also be on show after the exhibition ends. E Call 17 590-551. Ali Al Mahmeed Sculpturing Wonders When? December 18–January 10 | Event? Sculpture Symposium | Venue? National Museum Ending the year on a high, the Ministry of Culture will be hosting the fifth Bahrain International Sculpture Symposium for three weeks of all things art.
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