Northwestern University in Qatar
Education City, Qatar +974 4454 5100
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The Media Majlis at Northwestern University in Qatar is the first museum in the Arab world dedicated to discussing and examining the content of journalism and communication.
The museum is open to all, is free of charge, and is bilingual.
The museum’s exhibitions explore media, journalism and communication—pasts, presents, and futures—through global, regional and local/Qatar lenses. Audiences are encouraged to explore alternative views, discover rich stories and hear from lesser-heard voices.
All exhibitions are accompanied by a series of public programs, an English and Arabic publication, and a selection of online videos published throughout the year on the Explore Content section of the website: mediamajlis.northwestern.edu
August 23 – December 7, 2023, Sunday—Thursday
Friday and Saturday - Closed
10:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m.
The Media Majlis’ fall 2023 exhibition explores how the metaverse is shaping, changing and evolving how we communicate. From avatars to value, opinions to virtual land ownership, the themes of this exhibition reveal a deeper understanding of what is—and could be—the new generation of media and entertainment.
Join the Northwestern Qatar community in August to contemplate a new paradigm, an emergent virtual world where the boundaries of reality are blurred and the impossible becomes possible. The exhibition brings together dynamic content and collectibles that provoke us to think about the challenges and opportunities we may encounter in the years, decades and centuries ahead.
Complemented by over 100 physical objects, artworks and installations grounded in contemporary and nostalgic prompts, MetaWhat? unravels a story that encourages an appreciation of what the metaverse can bring to people's lives and a reminder of what it can prohibit. Right now, the metaverse is being imagined, designed and constructed by technologists in a relatively shallow way, with retail, gaming and entertainment experiences dominating usage. But who are the people developing our new world? How can we be involved? What is the true meaning and potential of the 'verse?
Beyond the museum’s walls, the exhibition continues. In the Forum of Northwestern Qatar, Gaia, a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, provides a new perspective of our place on the planet; a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another. Measuring six meters in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface*. A specially made surround-sound composition by BAFTA-Award-winning composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.
Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. *The imagery for the artwork has been compiled from the Visible Earth series, NASA.
The exhibition is accompanied by an English and Arabic glossary of words and phrases related to the metaverse and Web3. Visit the museum’s website for more information on the exhibition and accompanying program.
The museum is open to everyone. We are located within the Northwestern University in Qatar building in Doha's Education City, one building away from the Qatar National Library and Metro stop (Green Line).
Full information on opening hours, location and parking, programs and the Bookstore can be found on the museum's website, mediamajlis.northwestern.edu. For more information email mediamajlis@northwestern.edu