Tarek Atoui: Waters’ Witness

Presented as part of Mathaf’s 15th anniversary programme, the exhibition examines the intersections of sound, water and urban life, forming an acoustic portrait of maritime communities across global port cities.

“Waters’ Witness” is a sound-based installation by artist and composer Tarek Atoui, presented in the Arab region for the first time. The exhibition explores how water shapes urban environments through recordings from international port cities, including Athens, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Istanbul, Porto, Singapore and Sydney. These sounds were captured underwater and along coastal infrastructures.

Using sculptural elements made of marble, metal, ceramics and stone, Atoui translates sound into a spatial experience, encouraging visitors to engage with the social, historical and ecological dimensions of harbours. Mathaf’s presentation introduces a new phase of the project focused on Qatar’s coastline and communities, reflecting the museum’s ongoing engagement with contemporary sound practices.