Conceived by Eliasson for the galleries of the National Museum of Qatar, in Doha, and for an outdoor location some 64 kilometres northeast of the city, The curious desert included new site-specific works that explored the artist’s abiding interests in light, colour, geometric studies, ecological awareness, and more-than-human relationships.

Twelve temporary outdoor pavilions installed near Al Thakhira Mangrove Reserve housed a series of experimental artworks that responded to local natural phenomena, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Eliasson and Qatar Museums worked with an ecologist to ensure the protection of the sabkha’s native plants and non-human inhabitants, such as the Arabian Red Fox.

At the National Museum of Qatar, the wide-ranging presentation of works from throughout the artist’s career included expansive light installations, photo series from Iceland, complex geometric studies, watercolours, optical devices, and a sprawling research map.