logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
49m 24s

Evolving Calligraphy: Contemporary Arabi...

AFIKRA
About this episode

We wrap up season two of the Tasmeem Doha podcast with Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès – founder of the Khatt Foundation and Khatt Books – to dive into the world of Arabic and Persian typography and graphic design. Building on the panel "Inner Structures — Outer Rhythms: Politics of Contemporary Design" that Huda moderated at the Tasmeem Doha conference this year, we talk about the cross-pollination between Arabic and Persian graphic design and the evolution of calligraphy.

Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès is a Lebanese typographer, writer, researcher, graphic designer, lecturer, and design consultant from Beirut. She is the is the founder and director of the Khatt Foundation and Khatt Books.

Connect with Huda 👉https://www.instagram.com/hudasmitshuijzen/?hl=en-gb

Khatt Foundation 👉https://www.instagram.com/khattfoundation/?hl=en

Khatt Books 👉https://www.instagram.com/khatt_books/

Tasmeem Doha is a biennial international conference that focuses on unique and contemporary themes in art and design. For 2024, the theme of the event was “Under Construction”, which is both a metaphor for creative research as well as a celebration and investigation of transformation. It is also a state that Doha has found itself in for decades: a transformation that has presented an outsized impact on the residents of the city.

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Watch other episodes in this series:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl5xACvhOprM03PXJms10_3g

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Up next
Mar 2024
Building Successful Modern Arab Cities | Yasser Elsheshtawy
Yasser Elsheshtawy – adjunct professor of architecture at Columbia’s GSAPP and non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington – joins us on the Tasmeem Doha podcast to talk about his keynote speech from the conference “(Re)Constructing Urban Spaces: Unearthin ... Show More
59m 53s
Mar 2024
How Technology is Changing the Future of Fashion | Bradly Dunn Klerks | 25 Years of VCUarts Qatar
Bradly Dunn Klerks joins us on this week’s episode of the Tasmeem Doha Podcast to share his insights on the intersection between technology, the creative sector, couture and the arts. He talks us through the technicalities of 3D printing, shows us one of the first dresses to be 3 ... Show More
46m 55s
Feb 2024
Sour Things: On Food Practices for Pressing Matters | Mirna Bamieh | 25 Years of VCUarts Qatar
In this episode of the Tasmeem Doha podcast, artist Mirna Bamieh takes us around the world of fermentation and preservation, expanding on what participants of her workshop "Sour Things" learn. Bamieh explains the symbolism and role of fermentation in bringing attention to pressin ... Show More
41m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
Platforming Regional Design Excellence Design Doha | Fahad Al Obaidly
The first of three live Design Doha podcast recordings features an interview with the Biennial's deputy director Fahad Al Obaidly. He takes us behind the scenes of Design Doha, breaks down what "Celebrating Regional Design Excellence" means in practice, and how the Biennial roots ... Show More
23m 54s
Jan 2021
Beirut's Literary Landscape | Ghenwa Hayek
We talked about Ghenwa Hayek's work on the entangled relationships between literary and cultural production, space and place, and identity formation in the modern Arab Middle East, with a specific focus on Lebanon. We also discussed her book "Beirut, Imagining the City: Space and ... Show More
52m 30s
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
Oct 2020
Reimagining Arab Nostalgia | Rana Salam & The Confused Arab
Under the title “Nostalgia in Art” we talked to designer and Studio owner, Rana Salam, and the cultural cartographer behind “The confused Arab”, Sofiane Si Merabet. Connect with Rana: https://www.instagram.com/ranasalam/Connect with Sofiane: https://www.instagram.com/theconfuseda ... Show More
41m 35s
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
Mar 2021
Music & Modernity in Contemporary Syria & Nostalgia Across the Mediterranean | Jonathan Shannon
In this conversation, we talked to Professor Jonathan Shannon, Cultural Anthropologist & Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities at NYUAD. Shannon is the author of books on Music and Modernity in Contemporary Syria, and Music and Nostalgia Across the Mediterranean.Created & Hosted ... Show More
53m 19s
Mar 2021
Editor & Associate Professor of History Sherene Seikaly [afikra Conversation]
We talked to Sherene Seikaly, a historian of capitalism, consumption, and development in the modern Middle East, about her book "Men of Capital: Scarcity and Economy in Mandate Palestine", her work as editor for Jadaliyya, Journal of Palestine Studies, and Arab Studies Journal. C ... Show More
54m 26s
Apr 2021
Rewriting Arab & Muslim Perception in America Through Humor | Moustafa Bayoumi
We discussed Moustafa Bayoumi's book "How Does It Feel To Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America", and his work as a journalist, columnist, and editor.Created by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Hosted by: Mikey: https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/Edited by: Ramzi RammanTheme music ... Show More
55m 26s
Nov 2020
Uniting Voices & Histories For Healing in a Global Dialogue | Dr Maytha Alhassen
We talked to the creative powerhouse & scholar, Maytha Alhassen about her academic scholarship, her work as a poet and activist, and her recent work as a writer on the Hulu show Ramy. Connect with Maytha: https://www.instagram.com/maythaalhassen/Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna ... Show More
50m 54s
Oct 2020
Transforming Public Spaces: From Street Art to Global Murals | Yazan Halwani
We interviewed acclaimed street artist Yazan Halwani to talk about his career, his inspiration, and some the technical challenges he faces while working on large scale murals.Connect with Yazan: https://www.instagram.com/yazanhalwani/‎‎Created & Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikraEd ... Show More
54m 31s