Nation Builders basiert auf fünf öffentlichen Gesprächen in Dubai und Abu Dhabi im März 2009, in denen Schlüsselfiguren der Kulturpolitik der VAE vorgestellt wurden.

BRANDING DUBAI: THE AL QUOZ CULTURAL DISTRICT
Mishaal Al Gergawi is Projects and Events Manager at the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. A former investment banker, Al Gergawi regularly contributes to the new UAE daily The National. Dr. Anna Klingmann is founder of KLINGMANN Architects, whose BRANDISM®—an approach to merging architecture and branding— anticipated current global trends. Latest publication: Brandscapes: Architecture in the Experience Economy (MIT Press 2007).

IMAGINING A NATION ON DECEMBER 2, 1971
Dr. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh is adviser to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and interpreter to President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Chairman of the UAE Pavilion Executive Committee, and Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, he was formerly the personal interpreter and advisor to the founder of the UAE, HH the late Sheikh Zayed. Lana Nusseibeh is Director of Research and Communications, Ministry of State for Federal National Affairs. Her areas of policy work include parliamentary affairs, human trafficking, human rights issues and labor market reform.

TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE UAE
Lee Tabler is CEO of the Tourism Development Investment Company (TDIC) and oversees major developments in Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island. He has over 27 years international real estate development experience. Armen Vartanian has been involved in venture capital and entrepreneurship his entire career. He is Director at EcoVentures Dubai, an emissions reduction and carbon finance firm.

PROCESSING A PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE 20th CENTURY ARAB ART
Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi is a Sharjah-based businessman, founder of Barjeel Securities Dubai, chairman of the UAE Chapter of Young Arab Leaders, columnist and blogger. His encyclopedic collection of Arab art has never been exhibited. Antonia Carver is a Dubai-based writer and editor working with contemporary artists and filmmakers. Carver is editor-at-large of the arts quarterly Bidoun and writes for a wide range of publications. She’s on the programming teams of various international film festivals.

THE STORY OF THE POEM OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Dr. Aref Al-Sheik is the Director of the Examination Directorate, UAE Ministry of Culture. He has published over 55 books, including 11volumes of poetry, and has authored the lyrics to the UAE national anthem. Rashed Omar Al Kharji has over 20 years experience in the regional media and is currently a television broadcaster for Sama Dubai TV, helming his own program focusing on national culture, history and future.

The 5 conversations have been screened and recorded: 21 March 2009, Gallery XVA courtyard, Bastakiya, Dubai and 26 March 2009 Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi Camera: Nomada, Editing: Mounir Harbaoui

Camera: Nomada
Editing: Mounir Harbaoui
Photos Venice: Mohamed Somji
Bonus material: The Making of “Nation Builders”, edited by Scandar Copti, Jaffa

A project commissioned by the UAE Pavillion for the 53rd International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.