IS ART?

Part of the deal, when we sell a franchise, is that we provide an initial set of localized images. So, last week, with Danny Ammounah acting as assistant, we set off on our first and intensive three day shoot in Doha, Qatar. Doha is transforming itself into a modern, vibrant and architecturally stunning City. But, more than anything, we were struck by the friendly welcome afforded to us by the Qatari people. The women were eager to not be photographed and we were, of course, sensitive to this. But even with cameras and kit in abundance, they were charming in their requests and patient with our intrusions. The men of Qatar in and around the beautiful and meandering Souk Wafiq, were inquisitive and engaging. We were invited to a traditional majlis (place of sitting) and offered much advice on when and where to shoot. It is striking that, whilst Qatar is perhaps the world’s fastest growing economy and has a higher GDP per capita than any Arab state, it has retained a real sense of traditional values and genuine Arabian hospitality. This duality – economic strength and preserved heritage make Qatar a compelling and hugely exciting opportunity, not only for g-1 but for a wide range of creative and marketing services companies who will, inevitably, gravitate towards this burgeoning power-house.