{"id":3447,"date":"2021-08-12T22:02:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T22:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themarkaz.org\/oldsite\/2021\/08\/world-picks-august-21\/"},"modified":"2021-08-12T22:02:00","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T22:02:00","slug":"world-picks-august-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themarkaz.org\/oldsite\/world-picks-august-21\/","title":{"rendered":"World Picks: August 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Got an event, book, film, conference or anything else you\u2019d like to recommend? Drop us a line<\/a>. All listings are online, unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\n

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Beirut Narratives<\/strong><\/a>, Solidifying Our Collective Consciousness \u2022 Selections Arts Magazine<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Artistic response to the 4 August 2020 Beirut port explosion<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

C\u00e9line and Tatiana Stephan, co-founders of Architecture | Mecanismes | Projects | Lebanon<\/a> have launched a challenging project that reacts to last year\u2019s horrific port explosion in Beirut. The Stephan sisters saw the resultant human and material damage as symbolizing the lamentable political and economic state of their native Lebanon.<\/p>\n

Just 20 days after the 4 August 2020 blast, they began gathering photographs, children\u2019s drawings, and testimonials written in English, Arabic and French by ordinary civilian witnesses. They then printed the words on canvases and began draping them over buildings near the disaster site, such as Karantina police station, the Elie Khoury Building, and the Mar Tower in Mar Elias. Tellingly, these \u201ctapestries\u201d are stitched together using fishing line plastic wire, the same material that healthcare workers use to bind people\u2019s wounds. The first public displays went up this May, and Beirutis are encouraged to add new elements to the burgeoning venture. Later the organizers hope the artwork will travel beyond Lebanon.<\/p>\n

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Gulf Arab Artists<\/strong><\/a> Are Ready for You to See Their Work | Art & Object (artandobject.com)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A new showcase for Gulf Arab artists<\/strong><\/p>\n

A pool of creativity championed by Seka magazine and Khaleeji Art Museum<\/p>\n

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Art by Omani artist Mujahid Al Malki (courtesy Khaleeji Art Museum).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Frustrated by the barring of all but the most recognized names from appearing in established Gulf art galleries, four years ago Seka Magazine<\/a> began digitally sharing work by hitherto neglected creative talents. The youth-led arts and culture publication and platform Seka has since run numerous exhibitions via their pioneering digital Khaleeji Art Museum<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seka\u2019s co-founder and \u201cstoryteller-in-chief\u201d, Manar Al Hinai<\/a>, places special emphasis on addressing socially charged topics and promoting work by women. She has attracted to her stable artists such as the late painter Zakia Al Dubaikhi (Saudi Arabia), Fatema Al Zari (Bahrain), pixel artist and animator Dana Al Rashid<\/a> (Kuwait) and Huda Jamal (Bahrain). Also included are photographer Mahmood Al Zadjali (Oman), digital artist Mujahid Al Malki (Oman) and graphic designer Khalid Al Refaie (Kuwait). Past exhibitions have covered subjects such as sexual harassment and reactions to the Covid crisis. Most recently, Seka has presented \u201cSummer in the Gulf\u201d in Dubai Festival City<\/a>. It features six Gulf artists and is reputedly \u201cthe world\u2019s largest permanent outdoor projection.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Meet the Arab Women of Determination<\/a> Celebrating Body Positivity (vogue.me)<\/h4>\n

Inspiration from Arab women who survive trauma<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Dareen Barbar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vogue Arabia<\/a> recently ran a moving feature on three women from Arab countries who all lost a leg yet triumphed over their adversity. The way Rania Hammad from Egypt, Ala\u00efa Zainab Al Eqabi from Iraq and Dareen Barbar from Lebanon tell their stories should inspire us all.<\/p>\n

Dareen, for instance, suffered her fate through cancer at 15; yet recently won a Guinness world record for the longest static wall sit for a female amputee. Rania barely survived a train crash in London when pregnant; only to use that harrowing experience to launch a fashion career via Instagram. Meanwhile Zainab, a trained pharmacist, endured a bomb explosion yet now is now a TV presenter who runs triathlons and scuba-dives. She also promotes prosthetic limbs and champions women who have suffered both physical wounds and callous prejudices from an uncaring society. The feature shows all three wearing elegant fashions while proudly showing their false legs. To all women who lack confidence, Zainab says: \u201cYou matter. Love yourself for who you are and only ever change for yourself. Be brave and strong\u2026 because everyone is struggling in their own way\u201d.<\/p>\n

In similar vein, the current issue of Vogue Arabia showcases two striking essays under the rubric \u201cA Year After the Beirut Explosion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first has Lebanese photographer Tarek Moukkadem<\/a> \u201ctelling survivors\u2019 stories through their scars.\u201d In the second, Lebanese designers and stars<\/a> describe resilience after the 2020 blast.<\/p>\n

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East and West shall never meet? Not true \u2013 just look at Gothic cathedrals<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Diana Darke, author of the award-winning book, Stealing from the Saracens:<\/em><\/a> How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe<\/em>, presents her thesis in this appealingly accessible video:<\/p>\n