Blowing from Paradise: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa

According to Raza, “But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise articulates current artistic strategies within the broader context of contemporary culture in the Middle East and North Africa. The range of artworks consider a fragmented and shifting geographical region through a cross-circulation of ideas drawn from science, mathematics, and philosophy that were originally developed in the area, as well as references to geometry as a metaphor for both physical and conceptual space. This expanded presentation at the Rockbund Art Museum complements the architectural splendor of the Art Deco building and includes several works that were not on view in New York. Through this fresh installation and programming developed for local audiences, we aim to continue the discussion and understanding of the complex and critical themes addressed by this group of esteemed artists.”

Li Qi, senior curator at Rockbund Art Museum, commented, “But A Storm Is Blowing from Paradise reveals a future-oriented recognition of arts and visual culture in the Middle East and North Africa, with each work reflecting a facet of the artist’s mindset. The Rockbund Art Museum is devoted to offering an accessible and comprehensive experience for our audience in Shanghai. In addition to guided tours by the curator and panel discussions joined by the artists, the museum is also launching an exciting series of public events including screenings, performances, workshops for children, and lectures in universities, as well as book clubs and food festivals for varied opportunities for interaction.”

“The presentation of But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa at the Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai provides an exceptional opportunity for local audiences to encounter compelling ideas and artistic insights, and to engage in the kind of international dialogue that contributes to positive change,” said Dr. Eugene Qian, UBS Group China Country Head and President. “UBS invested early in mainland China. Our support of the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative parallels our holistic approach to business relationships. We take pride in enabling our clients, employees, and the public to participate in the provocative and exciting creative community of the arts, much as we facilitate our clients’ informed involvement in the complex global economy.”

MAP builds upon and reflects the Guggenheim’s distinguished history of internationalism and UBS’s commitment to direct engagement with contemporary art and education. MAP projects focus attention on vibrant artistic practices in three regions—South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa—and foster new relationships among artists, institutions, scholars, and visitors. Extensive on-the-ground research by distinguished curators with expertise in each region underpins an institutional effort to diversify and enrich the Guggenheim’s collection of contemporary art from across the globe, which is unprecedented in scope, scale, and range. As with the two previous sets of exhibitions in the MAP initiative, which focused on contemporary art practice from South and Southeast Asia and Latin America, But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise features artworks that have been recently acquired for the Guggenheim’s collection.