Doha’s Fire Station transforms rust into art

Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.

Rust becomes poetry and ceramics carry memory as Doha’s Fire Station art space transforms this week into a gallery of cultural reinvention. Meanwhile, the city’s soundtrack shifts from the warm Arabic vocals of Mohamed Fadl Chaker to the electronic pulse of Lost Frequencies. Aspire Park turns pink for a cause that matters, and the Old Doha Port becomes an arena where athletes trade comfort for the thrill of running and swimming.

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1. Leading the week: Ahmad Al Hamar: "Between Rust and Art"

Artwork from Ahmad Al Hamar’s exhibition “Between Rust and Art” at the Fire Station in Doha. (Courtesy of Qatar Museums)

The Fire Station art gallery opens its doors to Ahmad Al Hamar’s quietly powerful exploration of transformation and memory.  The Qatari artist invites visitors into a world where rust becomes poetry, where everyday materials reveal hidden narratives, and where decay itself becomes an act of creation.

Hamar works with what many might overlook: natural dyes, rust formations, organic matter and objects discovered rather than purchased. His practice is rooted in patience and experimentation, returning to the same materials repeatedly, each time coaxing out something unexpected. This dedication to process gives his work its distinctive voice — one that speaks softly but carries weight.

The centerpiece series, “Between Rust and Art,” reimagines cultural motifs through controlled oxidation on iron sheets. What emerges is suspended between destruction and preservation.  Hamar deliberately triggers the rusting process, then interrupts it, leaving marks that feel both ancient and immediate. The works do not simply depict tradition; they embody memory itself, corroding and crystallizing at once.

Developed during his residency at the Fire Station, the exhibition reveals an artist at ease with uncertainty, allowing materials to guide him as much as he guides them. The resulting compositions are minimal in appearance yet rich in implication, inviting viewers to slow down and reflect on how transformation — in metal or in culture — is never truly complete.

Date: Through Oct. 25

Location: Fire Station

More information here.

2. Word on the street: Haifa Al Khuzaie - ‘Threads of Memory’

Artwork from Haifa Al Khuzaie’s exhibition “Threads of Memory” at the Fire Station in Doha. (Photo courtesy of Qatar Museums)

There is something quietly radical about Haifa Al Khuzaie’s latest exhibition at the Fire Station. While much contemporary art looks outward for inspiration, she turns inward, to the intricate world of Qatari women’s adornment. In embroidery and jewelry she finds not only aesthetic beauty but entire systems of knowledge and identity.

Her new exhibition centers on handmade ceramics that echo traditional patterns — the motifs once woven into fabric or engraved on silver. Yet these are not reproductions or nostalgic gestures. Khuzaie has a gift for taking what is deeply rooted in heritage and reshaping it with new life, form and meaning. The works remain connected to their origins while standing entirely on their own.

What makes the exhibition compelling is its approach to cultural memory. These patterns were never merely decorative; they marked occasions, carried stories and passed knowledge from mother to daughter. Khuzaie’s ceramics honor that history without being bound by it, asking what happens when those visual languages are allowed to speak in a contemporary voice.

Date: Through Oct. 25

Location: Fire Station

More details here.

3. Doha diary

Mohamed Chaker performing live in Bahrain during his September concert. (Courtesy of Platinumlist)

• A musical evening with Mohamed Fadl Chaker

Beloved star Mohamed Fadl Chaker makes his highly anticipated Doha debut, bringing his signature warm vocals to the capital for an unforgettable night of music. The emerging talent promises to deliver an intimate evening of music that will introduce local audiences to his distinctive sound and captivating stage presence.

Date: Oct. 2

Location: UVenue

More information here.

• Lost Frequencies

World-renowned DJ Lost Frequencies brings his signature sound to Doha for a high-energy night at the Doha Golf Club. The Belgian artist promises an uplifting set that blends emotional melodies with infectious dance rhythms, featuring chart-topping hits such as “Are You with Me” and “Reality” in an open-air concert under the stars.

Date: Oct. 3

Location: Doha Golf Club

More information here.

• Pink Walk

Aspire Zone Foundation hosts its annual breast cancer awareness campaign with a community gathering at Aspire Park. The event includes an awareness walk around the lake, educational booths providing free breast health information and wellness activities led by professional instructors. This annual initiative unites participants in support of early detection and prevention while promoting overall health awareness.

Date: Oct. 4

Location: Aspire Park

More information here.

• QTRI Old Doha Port Aquathlon

Athletes gear up for an exciting multisport challenge at the historic Old Doha Port, featuring swimming and running disciplines across multiple age categories. The main event combines a demanding 2.5 km run, 1 km swim, and final 2.5 km run, while youth and kids categories offer scaled distances perfect for younger competitors.

Date: Oct. 4

Location: Old Doha Port

More information here.