Nomadic Traces: Journeys of Arabian Scripts
Nomadic Traces: Journeys of Arabian Scripts explores the role that scripts have played in defining and preserving the cultural identity of past and present civilizations, and on the migrational and transformative nature of writing, and its ability to freely cross borders and cultures. The exhibition focuses on the development of some of the key Abjads (consonantal alphabets) of the Middle East. It poetically links the past with the present, revealing the wealth of the region through its many scripts, including Phoenician, Aramaic, Musnad, Palmyrene, Nabatean, and early Arabic (Jazm).
The exhibition was conceived and curated by Dr. Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès, and presented and produced by and presented at Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi, UAE, in partnership with Khatt Foundation. It also features newly-commissioned works by artists and designers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.
Featured artists and designers include Nasser Al-Salem, Sarah Al-Agroobi, Nadine Kanso, Ghita Abi-Hanna, Milia Maroun, Khalid Mezaina, Rasha Dakkak, Hamza Omari, and Xeina Al-Malki.
Research team: Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès, Ranim Al-Halaky, Afra Bin Dhaher, Sheikha Bin Dhaher, Dina Khorchid.
