About Muraqqa
Muraqqa is the latest publication relating to contemporary art produced in the Middle East. It examines the artistic practices and production from the region and its diaspora through a critical and analytical lens. Muraqqa not only covers the plastic and visual arts, but also various other forms of fine arts, as well as architecture, design, photography, fashion, music and cinema. It intends to educate an international audience about the contemporary arts of the Middle East, and to stimulate dialogue and discourse on the subject.
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‘Battle of Algiers’ and the Artwork of Asad Faulwell
Yasmine Mohseni writes on the series ‘Battle of Algiers’ by the American based Iranian avant-garde artist Asad Faulwell, providing a critical analysis of the series itself, also examining Faulwell's overall body of work.
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An Interview with Rula Halawani
Aya Alireza interviews Palestinian photographer Rula Halawani, discussing her latest series 'Presence and Impressions', as well as her photojournalistic experience and later photographic endeavours.
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"Ceci n’est pas la Suisse": A Review Of Ayman Baalbaki’s Solo Show at the Rose Issa Projects Gallery
Amro Sabounchi explores Ayman Baalbaki's work in the exhibition 'Ceci n'est pas la Suisse', which delves into the essence of Beirut's inner urban landscape.
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Culture Building with a Twist
Alex Aubry describes the unusual approach to preserving the past that sparked a cultural revival on the tiny Island Kingdom of Bahrain.
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Omani Conceptual Avant-garde and the Circle: the Art of Hassan Meer
Curator Aisha Stoby examines the work of Hassan Meer, based on an interview she conducted with the artist.
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Orientalism, Globalisation and Commoditization: The Artwork of Radhika Khimji
Curator Aisha Stoby reviews the work of Omani artist Radhika Khimji, based on discussions between her and the artist.
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A Nationalism Among Nations: the Palestinian Pavilion in Venice
Artist and art critic Doris Bittar reviews the Palestinian Pavilion in the 53rd Venice Biennale.
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Exoticising Fashion
Ana Finel Honigman examines Orientalism within Western fashion, and delineates its focal points of evolution and its tremendous impact upon Western fashion design.
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Simulacrums of Protest
Reem Fekri examines Mark Wallinger’s installation ‘State Britain’, also placing it into the theoretical context of Jean Baudrillard’s The Gulf War Did Not Take Place
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The 2009-2010 Abraaj Capital Art Prize
Asmaa Al-Shabibi writes on the Abraaj Capital Art Prize, and also interviews Abraaj Capital Art Prize winner Marwan Sahmarani.
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‘Al-Hallaj Camera’ and ‘Al-Sabbah Camera’
by Shezad Dawood
Based on a conversation conducted between artist Shezad Dawood and Muraqqa editor Alexander Barakat modified into a personal statement exploring Dawood’s two works ‘Al-Hallaj Camera’ and ‘Al-Sabbah Camera’.
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Conceptual Architectural Representations of the Arab World: the Artwork of Langlands & Bell
by Alexander Barakat
Muraqqa editor Alexander Barakat reviews the architectural ground plans depicted by British conceptual artists Langlands & Bell relating to the Arab world based on an interview correspondence Barakat conducted with the artists.
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An Interview with Afruz Amighi
Iranian born and New York based artist Afruz Amighi was awarded the Jameel Prize this year for her installation 1001 Pages.
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For Our Beautiful Earth
A Personal Statement by the artist Setsuko Ono
Despite measures made by the US Treasury Department to prevent Japanese artist Setsuko Ono from traveling to display her paintings pertaining to the Palestinian struggle in Cuba, the work itself nevertheless made it to the 10th Havana Biennial.
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Encountering Samir Sayegh
Saleh Barakat in conversation with artist Samir Sayegh on art, calligraphy and “what cannot be written and what cannot be said”.
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Creating a ‘magical’ circle in contemporary Iranian art
By Shirley Elghanian
Magic of Persia chairman Shirley Elghanian describes the charity’s initiatives in creating the first Iranian contemporary art prize which is to be assigned this month, with artists such as Farhad Ahrania nominated amongst the finalists.