If you’re in town for Art Basel Qatar this week, you will have invariably spotted out and about members of the ruling royal family, top curators such as Glenn Lowry, former MoMA director…. and David Beckham. The headline-hitting footballer seemed to pop up at all of Doha’s prime art hotspots, casually strolling into Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija’s interactive installation in MIA Park—a convivial open space with traditional bakery ovens—and pondering quizzically on Chung Seoyoung’s sculptures and installations at the Fire Station culture hub.
The soccer superstar, in the midst of his own family drama, certainly seemed to lap up a performance at the packed out art space last night (4 February) by Haroon Mirza, respectfully following Qatari royal and mega collector Sheikha al-Mayassa as she gave her seal of approval to the event. Beckham is posting compelling footage on his Instagram which shows that his rather fulsome praise of the state has been recompensed by the way (note the words on his Insta post: “Paid partnership with Visit Qatar”). But David wasn’t the only high-wattage star doing the rounds. Movie icon Angelina Jolie was also seen focusing intently on an Art Basel “special project” presented by the performance collective Sweat Variant which took place in downtown Doha (3 February). Move over art fair veteran Mr DiCaprio….