Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, today kicked off the ninth edition of the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition and opened its doors to the public. The exhibition is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, and will continue until 30th April in Wafi Mall, Dubai.
Latifa bin Demaithan, Chief of Happiness & Positivity and Office Manager of Her Highness the Vice Chairman at Dubai Culture and Vice Head of Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition Committee, commented: “The exhibition is a flagship initiative under the Dubai Art Season umbrella and will also serve as a conclusion to the season, presenting works from over 50 international calligraphy artists. Dedicated sections for ‘Classic’, ‘Modern’ and ‘Illuminated’ calligraphy works will be complemented by the collection of His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr, to offer visitors an evocative blend that celebrates the myriad facets of Arabic calligraphy.”
Alongside the exhibition, Dubai Culture will offer 24 workshops and lectures for all ages, where visitors can learn first-hand about both classic and modern calligraphy techniques, including workshops provided by studio ‘Abjad Design’, ‘Arabic Lettering for Fiction’ in collaboration with Christian Sarkis, ‘Written Words with Different combinations’ with Mohammed Jawad Zadah, a workshop on the experience of writing the Holy Quran in a novel form with Mohammed Safar Bati, and ‘The Development of Nastaliq in the Ottoman Era’ with Professor Mustafa Ugur Darman.
Tarek Atrissi will also host a workshop about ‘Monumental Arabic Typography: Lettering in the Public Space’, while Muhammed Yaman Karmala Rabbi will explore ‘Yassir in Thulth and Jali’, and ‘The relationship of Arabic Calligraphy and Type Design’ with Dr. Nadine Chahine.
As one of the main highlights of this year Exhibition’s programme, a panel discussion hosting His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr and the reputed calligrapher Mohammed Ozcay will be conducted to shed the light on the beauty of this art, in addition to another panel discussion focusing on application of calligraphy in public spaces.
This year, a dedicated section has been created for creativity and children at the exhibition, which includes a reading corner with bilingual books for children and adults, and an area for children which includes workshops such as, ‘Islamic Tiles’, ‘Poetic Geometry’, ‘Layers of Meaning’, ‘Words In Imagery’, ‘Pattern and Perspective’, and ‘Positive & Negative Designs’.
Dubai Culture aims to enhance Dubai’s cultural scene and draw attention to the Emirate’s rich heritage with a variety of initiatives that take place throughout the year. The Authority’s mandate is to build bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures, through enriching initiatives that benefit the Emirate’s citizens, residents and visitors.
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