Chinartree

Alternative Learning Environments in Dubai - June 2010

By Sharmeen Syed

In art and design education in the UAE, traditional teaching models are being increasingly adapted in favour of more informal frameworks.  Through a variety of exchange programs, workshops and talks, the creative community is learning from an array of educators, peers and professionals.  What these programs all have in common is that they tend to be short in duration, flexible in approach and most interestingly, intimate in nature.

One such program was the Thinking Cloud UAE/UK Artists’ Exchange in October 2009, which was aimed at art students and graduates in the UAE.  The first phase of this exchange consisted of a group visit to London, covering a select number of cultural sites and events. 

Participants across diverse disciplines of design and at different stages in their education provided unique perspectives when discussing the artworks and sites absorbed. The outcome was a collective interpretation of what was seen and as such it was a holistic experience.

The next phase of this program evolved from a need to share and extend this primary experience.  Phase II came in the form of publications, discussions and workshops with START and Art Dubai in March 2010.  As anticipated, these initiatives were infused with the identity of new participants and led to the genesis of completely fresh ideas.

Another program that offered such a platform was Bidoun’s ‘Writing About Art’ Workshop which ran from January to June 2010.  Again, what gave this program its strength was that both tutors and participants were from a range of educational and professional backgrounds.

Workshops consisted of (i) small round-table seminars with rotating tutors and (ii) presentations by influential art practitioners followed by a collective, informal dialogue.  A seemingly static topic would often explode into a radical group discussion; the resultant momentum linked to the variety of perspectives in the room.  This gave rise to a continuous, educational exchange of ideas and outlooks.

Relatively traditional educational institutions are also incorporating group-based dynamics into their programs.  In addition, they are striving to become connected with other emerging creative hubs, both local and international.  As such, the classes in  Professor George Katodrytis’s studio at AUS1  have recently become infused with collective learning and communicating with professionals outside the university.

In a bid to further develop their ideas and widen their scope, students presented a number of projects online to a plethora of experts so that they could gain from their varying critiques .  One such open forum took the form of a joint presentation, given in collaboration with Columbia University at the Shelter, Dubai.  It reflected on research, context and design in the region.

It appears that the UAE is gradually becoming an international arts and culture hub through its biggest asset: diversity.  This diversity is in turn fuelling the interaction between educators, professionals and students in the country. 

Along with this, the increase of ad hoc artistic programs is supporting a creative community that is actively exploring alternative methods through which knowledge is shared and proliferated.

1 At the College of Architecture, Art and Design, American University of Sharjah (AUS), U.A.E.