Tracking the Emirates is collection of contemporary art displayed not in a gallery but in Ras Al Khaimah Hospital. Kurt Blum, General Manager of Swiss Art Gate UAE, initiated and organised the exhibition and he tells us how it came about, its aims and how it has been received by hospital staff, patients and visitors.
How did Swiss Art Gate UAE become involved in the project?
On the occasion of the three-day event Swiss Days Dubai in January 2009 I met the CEO of RAK Hospital, Dr Jean-Marc Gauer, who asked me if I could display some artworks in RAK Hospital. Usually, I organise events with a Swiss link. RAK Hospital is managed by Sonnenhof Group from Switzerland, and Dr Gauer is Swiss. I supported his idea to go with arts in a public place. After some consideration, in April 2009 I came up with the idea to announce a competition themed Tracking the Emirates, which was open for local and resident artists, and finally we got 28 applications for the art exhibition. The judging panel selected 16 artists.
The featured works are by artists of nine nationalities. Was it a deliberate decision to include different nationalities to help track the Emirates, and if so why?
The United Arab Emirates is a multi-cultural country, hence it was my decision to announce the art competition for all, local and resident artists of any nationality. Until August 7, 2010, we are showing the artwork of four local Emirati artists out of the total of 16. These four artists reflect and represent the percentage of Emiratis living in the UAE.
What is your favourite piece of art in the exhibition and why?
I have no favourite piece of art, but I have some affinity for three artworks, which have a strong relation to local design, history, culture and heritage. Firstly, the artwork from Emirati artist Khalfan Abdul Rauf, who shows for the first time his artwork in an unusual way. His colourful paintings are similar to cartoon art and they show symbols of Emirati culture in pictograms and signs, and amaze me every time I pass by. Secondly, 60 dhows are hanging fromthe ceiling of the Atrium. It's the work ofAyyub Russell Hamilton, who hand craftedthe 60 dhows and fixed them during four days, and some sleepless nights. The artwork is related to a historical incident on the coast of Ras Al Khaimah in the late 19th century, and it shows how sensitive the artist has planned the artwork for the architectural situation of the cafeteria of RAK Hospital. Thirdly,the Mashrabia Cubes from André C. Meyerhans are showing us how oriental or Islamic ornaments and patterns can be transformed and developed into astonishing new objects.
What has been the response of hospital staff, patients and visitors to the exhibition?
After a successful and crowded opening night of the exhibition with Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and the Swiss Ambassador, Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart on April 7, 2010, every week we get some new positive and delighted feedback from visitors of all emirates, and even from some tourists visiting Tracking the Emirates. Staff at the RAK Hospital have recognised that their working place has changed into an interesting artistic environment. They like to stroll along the new designed corridors, and from time to time they discover something >new in an artwork. For patients the art can play a positive role in this artistic and healing environment.
Does Swiss Art Gate UAE hope to work on more projects with the hospital?
Swiss Art Gate UAE is very pleased having organised for the first time a quite big and modern art exhibition in Ras Al Khaimah, and it is one of our aims to display art in public, in and outside buildings, where people are confronted every day and not only in the gallery, and of course I would like to arrange an exhibition in RAK Hospital.
How do you see the art scene in the UAE developing and how can Swiss Art Gate UAE play a part in this?
In the past few years the art scene of the UAE has shown a very fast development on the local basis but also by internationalising the art scene. There are very strong ambitions to put the UAE on the international art map, by building international museums in Abu Dhabi, by organising art exhibitions and fairs, by giving grants to art students for studying abroad, and to organise workshops with internationally recognised artists. Swiss Art Gate UAE's aim is to foster relations between artists of any nationality on a local but also on an international level, and to create some interesting platforms for artists. Furthermore we are keen to establish educational projects through all Emirates.
The art exhibition Tracking the Emirates can be visited daily from 10am to 6pm. For more details visit www.swissartgateuae.com
Getting well sooner at RAK Hospital
Ras Al Khaimah Hospital says it is all about getting well sooner. Dr Jean-Marc Gauer, CEO of RAK Hospital, comments in the brochure that accompanies the exhibition, "RAK Hospital works on the basic premise that the more reasassuring and comforting a person's environment, the faster his or her chances of recovery. Art is an important element in creating the atmosphere and it is for this reason that we consider Tracking the Emirates a wonderful opportunity for the hospital to be a creative platform for patients, visitors and artists alike."
The hospital is an advanced secondary care multi-specialty hospital promoted by Arabian Healthcare, a joint venture between the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, under the aegis of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai-based ETA Star Healthcare.
Sonnenhof Swiss Health Ltd, a Swiss-based leading health care company, has tied-up with RAK Hospital for professional support and partnership for operational management.
Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director of ETA Star Healthcare, explains why the company teamed up with Sonnenhof. "We wanted to provide to the people of this region first-class hospitality standards together with international quality health care, therefore we teamed up with Sonnenhoff Swiss Health. Sonnenhoff Swiss Health has always been concerned to achieve the highest quality in the medical and nursing care of its patients and in the provision of hotel-style facilities."
For more information on the hospital and its facilities log on to www.rakhospital.com
