Author: Emmy Plaschy
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Abdelrahman Elshahed: Portraying the Language of Angels
Dealing with concepts that help humanity and expressing them through contemporary art practice: this is Abdelrahman Elshahed’s mission. During a recent interview with the warm Mecca-based artist, calligrapher and architect, we analysed some of his work and share the most striking ones here. Born in 1993, Abdelrahman learned the art of calligraphy in the Holy Read more
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Faisal Alkheriji: the Saudi Cubist painter
Representing culture differently: this is Faisal Alkheriji’s calling, to paint original characters while blending different schools of art such as cubism and surrealism. Interview with the smiling Jeddah-based and Picasso-inspired artist. Monopoly in Saudi Arabia “Growing up in Jeddah is amazing, it’s my favourite city. It wasn’t the most advanced city, but it developed a lot Read more
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Wissam Shawkat: Turning Arabic Calligraphy Around
Unafraid of bringing out the contemporary that lies in the traditional, his life mission is to rewrite calligraphy, one stroke at a time. Meet the Iraq-born and Dubai-based artist who excels at his art, at the crossroads between script and shapes. According to its Greek etymology, calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing, which is Read more
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Noura Bin Saidan: the first mural artist in Riyadh
Optimism, energy, determination. Noura Bin Saidan embodies them all, as she brings colour to public spaces all over the world. On a warm September afternoon, we sat down in the artist’s Riyadh studio and after kindly offering Saudi coffee, dates, and chocolate biscuits, she shared her unconventional story. The choice of street art “I started Read more
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Remembering David L. Carpenter
It is usually when you delete someone from your phone that you realise that they are really gone. As usual, there is an exception to this rule. I still have not found the courage to delete David from my contacts, although I should have done so almost a year ago, on 18 June 2021. This Read more
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Sherine Abu Aqleh: tribute to a legend
A name has been on everyone’s lips for the past few days, whether a media professional, a person from, living or interested in the Arab world. That name is Sherine Abu Aqleh.Her killing while reporting from the field, as well as the violent outburst at her funeral considerably moved people on a global scale. Her Read more
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On being radical
It took me years to be radical. To become radical.Radical is not a popular word. It is often used in the context of extremism, whether political or religious. But having radical opinions is not always a bad thing.It means setting boundaries. Saying no. Without justifying oneself. Standing strong for what one believes in. This is Read more
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Más allá de las cúpulas
Durante mi reciente viaje a Puerto Vallarta, México, me hipnotizó la arquitectura peculiar que me rodeaba. Muchas casas tenían en su azotea impresionantes cúpulas, que me transportaron y me recordaron la Cúpula de la Roca en Jerusalén o la iglesia/mezquita de Hagia Sophia en Estambul. A lo largo de los siglos, las cúpulas se han Read more
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Refugees from a land never seen: the case of Gaza (Jerash) Camp in Jordan
There is a hill to climb to reach it. Remember that, because along the road, not a single sign hints at the presence of a camp, or rather of a city, a term closer to reality. The Gaza refugee camp exists without really existing. Its residents live there without really belonging there. I wanted to Read more
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What are Eid celebrations?
With 2 billion Muslims in the world, you probably are friends with at least one! Ever wondered why they celebrate Eid twice a year, what it means and what you should be wishing them? Here is what you should know. Eyes on the moon Muslims celebrate two different Eid festivals throughout the year: Eid al-Fitr and Eid Read more