Doha, Qatar: Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation partner university and branch campus of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia (US), will showcase Aghrab Idrāk: Thresholds of Perception, a Collateral Event at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, marking a distinction that places the University among the world’s leading cultural institutions.
“La Biennale di Venezia marks a significant milestone in VCUarts Qatar’s international engagement and offers an opportunity to situate our work within a truly global conversation,” said Amir Berbić, Dean of VCUarts Qatar.
“Our participation reflects our investment in research-driven creative practice and interdisciplinary collaboration while showcasing how VCUarts Qatar, as a higher education institution, is redefining how universities contribute to global cultural production.”
Aghrab Idrāk: Thresholds of Perception, a Collateral Event is co-curated by Dr. Hesperia Iliadou, Director of the Museums & Exhibitions Study Society in Venice, and Chase Westfall, Head of Gallery at VCUarts Qatar. It will showcase faculty-led creative research from across VCUarts Qatar’s Institute for Creative Research’s interdisciplinary labs featuring projects developed by (In)>Tangible Lab, TypeAraby, GA:MA Lab, AlBokeh Lab, xLab, Water With Water, Sonic Jeel, Boost Lab, Mesh Lab, and Anthro-tech Atelier.
In parallel with the Collateral Event, VCUarts Qatar will present a public symposium titled, Relational Ecologies: Perception, Mobility, and Collective Form on June 23-24, 2026. The first day will take place as part of the Biennale sessions at the Arsenale Educational Space, while the second will be hosted at The Home of The Human Safety Net at Piazza San Marco.
