THE ART OF COLLECTING EXHIBITION     

MUSEUMS                             (Memories + Creativity)      = Social Change

In partnership with Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, Trevor Blackwood of Nomad Creative Consultancy was commissioned to design and curate an exhibition that would embody the UNESCO's International Museum Day theme - Museums (Memories + Creativity) = Social Change.

The exhibition was held at the Ghaf Gallery, Abu Dhabi. It was accompanied by a comprehensive creative learning programme that engaged schools and the wider community. 

ADMAF'S BRIEF

CURATE an exhibition that personifies the International Museum Day theme.  

IDENTIFY international and local collectors for the exhibition.      

PROVIDE a space for young people to display their collections alongside the private collectors in the main exhibition.

CURATOR'S CONCEPT

The exhibition was divided into two distinct areas. The ground floor featured Olujimi Osho's Private Collection from London. The collection embodied his journey of reconciliation and reconnection to his Yoruba Heritage.

The exhibition continued upstairs in the gallery with UAE private collections. Established collectors were exhibited alongside collectors who were in their early stages of defining and understanding their collections. 

CREATIVE

THE SCENOGRAPHY

The scenography of the exhibition focused on individual collections and their transition from a private space to a public space in order to be shared with a wider audience. For the Osho Collection, the Curator chose a circular design to illustrate Osho's journey. The Benin bronzes in the collection represent Osho's eventual reconnection to his culture signifying the completion of his cycle of personal discovery. The pieces symbolically represent his rebirth, integration and acceptance into an indigenous culture.

Intricate techniques were employed to display the collector's toys and treasures to stimulate curiosity, thought and discussion, revealing unique insights into the mind of a collector. 

CONSULTANCY

UNDERSTANDING A COLLECTOR

Fostered as a child, Osho found solace through the toys he explored and played with. As he moved towards adulthood, he discovered a passion for objects, striving to make sense of his world and his cultural identity. Collecting objects that he valued enabled Osho to revisit events from his childhood and begin to understand his complex journey into adulthood. 

Osho has continued to validate his personal journey by finding meaning and purpose in his collection, inspiring a new generation of private collector's to interpret or reinterpret their environment or story through toys, ornaments, homemade paraphernalia of personal and cultural significance. 

THE VIP OPENING

WELCOMING THE UAE BRITISH AMBASSADOR AND THE MINISTER FOR MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

The students who participated in ADMAF's Young Curator creative learning programme assisted the Creative Director during the opening.  The  students guided the British Ambassador and the public around the Olujimi Collection. 

EXHIBITION CATALOGUE

PRODUCED BY ADMAF

The exhibition catalogue outlined the historical and cultural context for each section of the Olujimi Osho Private Collection and the Abu Dhabi collectors. 

EXHIBITION @ THE SPACE

ABU DHABI FESTIVAL 2014 

The two-month Arts Education initiative, The Hero Inside Programme: Abu Dhabi culminated in a public multi-media exhibition showcasing the creative achievements of New York University Abu Dhabi and participating schools at The Space, twofour54 and engaging audiences from all sectors of the arts.

CREATIVE

EXHIBITION DESIGN

The exhibition focused on displaying the creative process and the participant's final artwork in an interactive way. Ipads, imacs and a SmartTV enabled the visitors to explore the three stages of the programme and select the StopGo animations created by the students to illustrate their understanding of theme 'The Hero Inside', all of us. The socially conscious ipad apps encouraged further reflection around the theme. Freej was screened in the cinema and the Arabic picture book corner  emphasised the value of reading together as a family.

CONSULTANCY

EMPOWERING PARTICIPANTS

The public exhibition celebrated the creative endeavours and process of everyone who participated in The Hero Inside Programme in Abu Dhabi during 2014. 

Participants were exhibition guides responsible for talking about the creative process. They explained the methodology of the Live Comic Art technique and described the structure and purpose of each stage of the programme that resulted in an impressive body of meaningful and personal creative work.                                             

CREATIVE CONTENT OVERVIEW

• FRAMED EXHIBITION of participant's illustrations and final artwork. 
• LIVE COMIC ART demonstration by participants
• PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION of complete process
• COMIC DRAWING TENT for young artists
• LIVE DRAWING DEMONSTRATIONS from professional illustrators
• PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS' AND ILLUSTRATORS work on display - Home Tales on TV, Dr. Hosni Mojahed Life-Size Characters
• ARABIC/ WESTERN PICTURE BOOK reading corner with bean bags
• CINEMA SCREENING of Arabic cartoon Freej 

INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY ELEMENTS

• INTERACTIVE TV showcasing students Stop Motion animated stories inspired by the Hero Inside Programme
• iPADS WITH DRAWING APPS & learning ebooks to explore and discover
• IMACS with university students' storyboard PRO animates 
• iMACS SCREENING STOP MOTION animated films created by the participants
• DIGITAL LEARNING RESOURCE for parents and teachers to explore 

PROJECT FILM 

SOCIAL MEDIA

The Hero Inside Programme collaborated with the following international arts organisations and artists in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

THE HERO INSIDE EXHIBITION

THE MeNIER GALLERY

The three month Hero Inside Programme culminated in a public exhibition at the Menier Gallery by London Bridge. The venue was an ideal public platform to introduce the Limited Edition African American comics and the programme to a wider audience. The curator focused on exhibiting positive cultural imagery and African American stories celebrating global accomplishments.

CREATIVE

The Menier Gallery by Tate Modern is a dynamic space for viewing and exhibiting contemporary art. The white display walls and natural light were ideal for exhibiting the Origins of a Hero, the Golden Legacy Collection, the professional illustrators, the young people's art work and a number of limited edition black comics sourced from an avid London collector including the iconic imagery Superman vs. Mohammed Ali, Obama, Nelson Mandela and Egyptology. A photographic exhibition of the creative process and the teaching resource were illustrated the learning elements of the extensive programme.   

CONSULTANCY

Stories of international African descent pioneers, designers, scientists and explorers who have influenced and shaped our global community where placed at the centre of the programme and exhibition.

It was important to replace the traditional black cultural stereotype that readily saturates the mainstream media, with inspirational imagery and stories. Alongside the professional artists, the art work of the Focused Group illustrated the young people's creativity and their positive storytelling abilities, dispelling any negative perceptions an audience may have of them.                                           

EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

PARTNERS

The Hero Inside Programme collaborated with the following arts organisations, artists and educational institutions in London.