DOHA.- Qatar Museums, yesterday unveiled Keys to Memories, a captivating public artwork created by Boo Design Studio in collaboration with Qatari artist and educator Maryam Al-Homaid. Installed in front of the Lusail Metro Station, the artwork transforms 250,000 reclaimed keychains into a striking reflection of the shared experiences of football fans during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the first World Cup hosted in the Middle East, in the Arabian Gulf and the second in Asia.
The unveiling was attended by Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, CEO, Qatar Museums, His Excellency Yasir Al Jamal, Director General, Supreme Committee, Under secretary of Ministry of Sports and Youth, Mr. Fahad Abdullatif Al Jahrami, Chief Development and Asset Management Officer at Qatari Diar, Ahmed Mohammed Al-Saleh, Lusail Lightrail Director, Qatar Rail and Abdulla Saif Alsulaiti, Chief of Service Delivery, Qatar Rail among other prominent dignitaries.
Installed in front of Lusail Metro Station, one of the busiest transit hubs of the World Cup, the piece ensures that the spirit of the event remains alive for generations to come. The keychains collected, in collaboration with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, form a visual representation of fans’ chants of the final four teams that competed. Interwoven with Al-Homaid’s custom-designed patterns, the composition merges traditional motifs with modern aesthetics, offering a contemplative space where past and future converge.
Sheikha Reem Al Thani, Acting Deputy CEO of Exhibitions, Public Art, and Rubayia at Qatar Museums, stated, “Public Art has the power to preserve collective experiences and enrich the urban landscape. Keys to Memories reminds viewers of the excitement and togetherness that we all experienced during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, further demonstrating how culture, whether in sport or visual art, brings people together. ”
Boo Design Studio, founded by Qatar based Lebanese designers Amanda and Jo Booabbood, is known for its projects that bridge contemporary craftsmanship with meaningful narratives. Similarly, Al-Homaid explores the symbiotic relationship between technology-based media and the “DIY” culture of her everyday surroundings.
Amanda and Jo Booabbood, Founders of Boo Design Studio commented, “From the outset, we imagined Keys to Memories as a portal—an immersive tunnel that echoes with the chants of fans and the architectural soul of the stadiums. 2022 was also our first year living and designing in Qatar, making this piece deeply personal. It’s a time capsule of global celebration and our own beginnings—of finding belonging, forging roots, and honouring the spirit of a welcoming nation that truly made us and the entire world feel at home.”
By repurposing thousands of keychains into a sculptural form, Keys to Memories underscores Qatar’s commitment to art that is both innovative and environmentally conscious. As a lasting testament to a historic sporting event, the installation invites visitors to reflect on the emotions and connections that defined the World Cup experience.
