Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Research in Teaching and Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Bridging Centers and Peripheries: An Exhibition Organizer’s Perspective on Visual Studies and Cultural Institutions in the UAE
Fatima Zohra Es-Saadouni
ABSTRACT:
In a world increasingly defined by visual culture, the role of exhibition organizers as mediators between the ‘centers’ and ‘peripheries’ of visual culture is more critical than ever. This work will explore the role of exhibition organization in shaping visual culture, fostering interdisciplinarity, and addressing cultural tensions between visual ‘centers’ and ‘peripheries’ in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Drawing on experiences from an exhibition organization company in Dubai, this research will examine case studies of exhibitions that have aimed to bridge the gap between different cultures, challenge dominant visual narratives, and promote a more inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to visual studies in the UAE. Through an analysis of exhibition planning, curation, and audience engagement strategies, this presentation will shed light on the challenges and opportunities faced by cultural institutions in the UAE in addressing cultural tensions and fostering interdisciplinarity in the 21st century. Ultimately, this research will argue that exhibition organizers in the UAE play a crucial role in shaping the visual culture of the future, and that a more critical and reflective approach to exhibition organization is needed to address the challenges of globalization, digitalization, and cultural tension in the contemporary world.
Keywords: Education, Globalization, Culture, Visual Studies, cultural tension