logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2023
54m 56s

LENA MERHEJ | Coping with Arab Comics | ...

AFIKRA
About this episode
tail spinning
Up next
Aug 24
1001 Nights, the Arab Novel & the Age of Decay That Never Was | Prof. Muhsin al-Musawi
Arabic culture and literature hold a vastly rich classical history that continues to captivate scholars and readers worldwide. Renowned literary critic and Columbia University professor, Dr. Muhsin Al-Musawi, explores the depths of this heritage, from the global allure of the Ara ... Show More
54m 3s
Aug 17
East & East: Arab Craft Meets Japanese Minimalism | Nada Debs: Founder, Studio Nada Debs
A unique personal journey spanning from a third-generation textile merchant family in Japan to a thriving design studio in Beirut serves as the foundation for iconic designer Nada Debs’ universal message of collaboration. The intricate world of Levantine woodwork, the philosophy ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 10
What Does China Actually Want from the Arab World? | Mohammed Alsudairi
The modern experience of China is often viewed through a western lens, but its complex history and relationship with the Arab world reveal a much deeper story. Dr. Mohammed Alsudairi challenges the dominant narrative of a growing security footprint and intense US-China competitio ... Show More
59m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2019
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Lina Ghaibeh
Khatt interviews Lina Ghaibeh, illustrator, animator, and comics artist about her practice and the potential of graphic narratives in giving voice to unheard and unexpected narratives from the Arab world. Ghaibeh believes in the power of visual storytelling and of expressing thro ... Show More
35m 55s
Nov 2025
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation with Aude Abou Nasr
Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Beirut-based, French-Lebanese illustrator Aude Abou Nasr. They discuss Aude's educational and professional journey from starting in architecture into illustration and activism. Aude discusses her interest in narratives that address issues of belong ... Show More
34m 37s
Jun 2023
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Maya Saikali
Yara Khoury Nammour interviews Lebanese graphic designer and educator Maya Saikali about how she marries her interest in socially engaged practice and commercial design work. Maya explains since she was a design student, first in Beirut (Lebanon) and then in Eindhoven (The Nether ... Show More
28m 32s
Jun 2022
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Jana Traboulsi
Khatt interviews Jana Traboulsi about the relation between drawing, illustration and expressive graphic design. The talk explores ideas on engagement with political and cultural issues, and on combining personal explorations with critical thinking. Jana elaborates on her publicat ... Show More
33m 57s
Apr 2023
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Naji El Mir
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès interviews Lebanese-French Graphic Designer Naji El Mir about his beginnings in graphic design and animation. The discussion addresses the journey from homeland to becoming a successful independent designer in diaspora. The talk explores ideas on self-t ... Show More
42m 5s
Feb 2024
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Lara Assouad
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès interviews Dubai-based Lebanese graphic and type designer @laraassouad. Together they discuss her journey into type design and her other passions and side practices such as book-binding, leather accessories, and pottery.The conversation focuses on Lara' ... Show More
43m 19s
Nov 2021
FWD: “Gazbia Sirry- When Modern Arab Form Meets Politics” [Community Presentation]
In this afikra FWD, Laila Karaman talked about "Gazbia Sirry- When Modern Arab Form Meets Politics" by Fatenn Mostafa-Kanafani. Laila discusses the themes in Sirry's artwork which are polygamy, gender preference/roles, gender equality, occupation/civil rights, and new political e ... Show More
11m 25s
Jan 2024
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Rana Salam
Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Beirut-born Lebanese graphic designer @RanaSalam, "Queen of Arab Pop", founder of Rana Salam Studio in Beirut, Lebanon. Together they unpack her journey as a designer, what inspires her, what she is passionate about, and how she translates that int ... Show More
25m 17s
Oct 2024
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Sahar Khraibani
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Lebanese design writer and critic, Sahar Khraibani. They discuss her journey into the field of design writing through graphic design and illustration. Together, they unpack the importance of design and critical ... Show More
36m 49s
May 2023
Belonging, Divorce & Summer in Egypt | Malaka Gharib
In this episode of Book Club, Malika Gharib joins us to share her musings on what it means to be an artist, the symbiotic relationship between journalism and comics, as well as what the 'American Dream' truly means. She reflects on growing up as a first-generation Filipino Egypti ... Show More
1h 1m