Abu Dhabi: If you have ever wondered how Gutai artists create their colourful artworks, now you can find out for yourself.
Two workshops, for children and adults, in Abu Dhabi’s Manarat Al Saadiyat this Saturday will give participants the chance to learn more about the Japanese art movement and create their own Gutai art pieces.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the event aims to provide a better understanding of Gutai art, a selection of which is currently featuring at an exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat titled the Creative Act: Performance, Process, Presence.
“What we are trying to do with all of our workshops is to create a deeper and more meaningful experience of the artist through some hands-on activities,” said Sharifa Horaiz, content development manager at TCA Abu Dhabi.
The workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to create their own artworks using similar techniques that were employed by the Gutai artists.
“There is going to be a lot of experimentation and a lot of thinking about art outside the box. Trying to think of innovative and creative ways of moving paint across the canvas and seeing how the art material and your own body work together, to create an artwork,” Horaiz added.
Horaiz explained that Gutai artists not only experimented with using non-traditional material and techniques, the creation of the artwork itself was playful and a performance for them.
“I think it will get quite messy but in the best of ways. Participants will be able to throw paint around, hopefully using gestural movements which is almost performative in its technique … and using all kinds of unconventional art material and tools,” Horaiz said.
“This is part of our education programme which we offer with each and every one of our exhibitions and events. We always create an educational programme to complement our exhibitions,” Horaiz added.
The Creative Act: Performance, Process, Presence is the second major exhibition of works from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi collection Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Organised by TCA Abu Dhabi, the exhibition features works by more than 25 artists from different nationalities and generations, and explores the related themes of performance, process, and presence through a variety of mediums.
Places are limited so participants are encouraged to register for the workshops. Full more information on workshops and public programmes, visit http://www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae
What: Gutai art workshops
When: Saturday, April 22
Time: Children aged 6-12, 10am to 12pm; adults and teens aged 13+, 2pm to 5pm
Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Cost: Dh50 for art material
Registration required for attendance
