This trip to Art Basel was to witness art history unfold. It was my first time in Qatar and I was gifted with many unexpected memories that I gratefully hug to my bosom.
During my second evening in Doha, I had to order a 6-seater Uber, 3 times, to transport my mobility scooter to all the museum events. The BMWs get scarce during peak hours (not that they could carry my scooter anyway) and the First Choice queues would build up. Every VIP is headed to the same events, we all shared a unanimous schedule. To ease my carbon footprints, I offered my extra seats to anybody waiting in line.
The first ride was to see Rikrit’s work in the park; the second ride was to attend Wael’s VIP dinner at the spectacular old fire station project; and the third ride was to return to the fair grounds near midnight. In all three car rides, I was stirred by conversations with remarkable people - one or two, I suspect are clearly handpicked by God for lifetime friendship. Though it wouldn’t be the only time my mind got blown in Doha, this particular story is about uncanny alignments that zapped me with yet another cat encounter.
Upon arrival at the first location, I spent part of an hour getting lost along the MIA Park with my fellow passengers - a Korean curator and her Lebanese artist partner. At first I was not super happy about being late and wondered where my night was leading - then cats started to appear from out of the manicured bushes like secret agents. One by one, they behaved like ushers. Each cat would accompany me for about 20 meters or so, exchanging casual meows and smile blinks, then another agent would catch up and take over the delegation.
Nothing overly uncommon for me, I have gotten used to this level of diplomacy whenever I land in cat territory.. but as I advanced along the way - by the time I got truly lost - there were 3 cats neatly spaced apart in equal distance like identical feline statues on the left side of my pathway. They were stationary like London guards, their positions were exactly the same, perfectly aligned with the floor tiles. These were real cats, with imperfect whiskers and nipped ears, not sculptures. What a rare moment to see street cats in synchronised postures. At this point, I realise “I’m certain there is a cat portal right here”.
#CATSEVERYWHERE
I had been very impressed with my visit so far, having been in the audience of members from the royal family - hearing about their exacting efforts to advance the Qatari nation in the arts. They had formidably employed prominent curators to elevate their cultural ministry in a congruent manner. It looks unparalleled from my humble standpoint. The way Qatar had welcomed the art world to Doha was of an unprecedented level, but how did they organise the cats to behave this way?
Meantime I wondered if the cats were minding the “foreigners everywhere” in their park.
When the cats stopped ushering me, I turned back and eventually found the Thai artist’s social installation. I didn’t stay long at that show - and escaped the mob once David Beckham arrived with the royals.