MUSCAT: The Muttrah Fort premises will play host to an exhibition bringing together artists from the Sultanate of Oman and the UK on Friday.
Named Ahlam al Asr, the event is born out of a collaboration between Zawraq Collective, a duo of creative Omani women who reimagine Muscat’s art scene as belonging to its youth and their explosive talents; Sekka, a London-based independent magazine and integrated creative platform that is dedicated to art, culture, literature and opinions from the Arab world; and Teepee, an Omani pop-up glamping experience that creates one of a kind experiences that encourage cultural immersion, reconnecting with nature and ignite a sense of adventure.
"Set in the historic Muttrah Fort, Ahlam al Asr is a nostalgic and surreal pop-up where visitors will walk through Muttrah Fort and explore a maze of illusive installations created by contemporary Omani artists," say Zaima al Adawi and Noor al Mahrouqi, the founders of Zawraq Collective, and the event’s art curators.
They said it took several months of planning before the Ahlam al Asr was born.
"We all yearn for a rose-tinted past that only exists in our imagination and in this space, you will travel through cultures of the past and the present; we are sure you will wake up from reality and be here and now."
Earlier this year, Sekka published a special print issue titled 'The Creative Giants' dedicated entirely to Oman’s creative scene that was sold across the world, from London to New York.
"As part of our continued activation of the issue, which generated a lot of international interest in Oman’s blossoming art scene, we collaborated with the incredibly creative women behind Zawraq Collective and Teepee Oman to organise an art experience that will feature some of Oman’s most talented young artists in a special setting, where visitors will be able to see and discuss Omani art," says Manar al Hinai, Sekka’s founder and editor-in-chief.
Ahlam al Asr is a commonly used term in Arabic that refers to a kind of psychedelic daydream that is both strange and entertaining. It has a double entendre that could also mean “the dreams of the generation” which fits perfectly with this experience.
"The inspiration behind the title came from an innate desire to create something for the youth, by the youth. It is exciting to be able to juxtapose the historical fort with the fantasies of young people."
"Muttrah Fort played a major part in country history defending the sovereignty of our nation and today, it will play the role of inspiring our young generations through our history and unity. It will be a blend of history and culture," said Hilal al Busaidi, Chairman of Muttrah Fort Tourism LLC, which is the main sponsor of the event and who is providing the venue for the expo.
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