Outside the Art World’s Echo Chamber, at Art Basel Qatar

A report from Nytimes says Art Basel’s new fair in Doha was smaller and different in tone, with 87 exhibitors from 31 countries presenting single-artist shows responding to the theme “Becoming,” overseen by Egyptian artistic director Wael Shawky. More than half the artists were from the Middle East, North Africa or South Asia, offering visitors a chance to discover fresh voices outside the echo chamber of mainstream international art fairs.

Traditional robes and headdresses outnumbered Armani suits, no one was sipping Champagne, and people had time to talk about the art. Art Basel’s chief executive, Noah Horowitz, said the organization started smaller to set up for sustainable success and plans to expand, and described Art Basel Qatar as “a partnership” with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+, while declining to comment on the financial arrangements between the partners.

Qatar Museums had announced it would host a new quadrennial of contemporary art in Doha opening to coincide with the first edition of the Frieze Abu Dhabi fair.

Qatar, Doha