Art
All topics-
Exhibition of IS cartoons in Tehran
Iran battles its enemies with cartoons
Iran has embraced an unlikely medium in its psychological battle against Islamic State: the cartoon. However, despite this focus on its newest foe, Israel and the US are obviously still viewed as the Islamic Republic's arch-enemies
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Art and revolution in the Arab world in 2015
Struggling against the restoration of "order"
Egypt's Al-Fann Midan (Art is a Public Square) festival, which took place for the first time in April 2011, was one of the most vibrant post-revolutionary spaces for public art in Egypt. But four years after millions of Egyptians took to the streets, the popular festival has disappeared. Marcia Lynx Qualey takes a closer look at the link between art and revolution in Egypt and the Arab world in 2015
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"Syria Speaks"
Challenging violence with creativity
The recent launch of "Syria Speaks: Arts and Culture from the Frontline" at events in The Hague and Amsterdam was in a sense a homecoming for a remarkable book whose roots lie in an exhibition of works by Syrian artists and cartoonists held at the Prince Claus Fund Gallery in Amsterdam in 2012. By Susannah Tarbush
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Goethe and the Orient
Why did the poet's mind wander to far-off climes?
When Goethe compiled over 200 poetic works to create his West-East Divan in 1814 and 1815, the 60-year-old had already been fascinated with the Orient his whole life. But what made the poet's mind wander to far-off climes? By Melanie Christina Mohr
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Artists in Turkey
Artists against Erdogan's censorship
Turkey welcomes private investors in the fields of art and culture, but artists feel oppressed by the government. Beyond censorship and commercial speculation, an alternative art scene offers some hope. Ceyda Nurtsch presents them.
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Photo project "This Place"
A missed opportunity
Twelve international photographers set out to explore Israel and the West Bank through the lenses of their cameras for the photo project "This Place". The aim was to see Israel as a metaphor and to go beyond the stereotypes. According to Felix Koltermann, however, the project makes no more than a marginal contribution to a more profound engagement with the reality of the region
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Art and performance project "The Forgotten"
Focusing attention on hidden realities
Once upon a time in a land far away, there existed a storytelling tradition known as "naghali". Iranian artist Golnar Tabibzadeh was inspired by this tradition to combine art and storytelling for her project "The Forgotten", which tells some of the heart-rending personal stories behind the daily news. Marian Brehmer spoke to the artist about her project and the Iranian art scene
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Protest and culture in Palestine
Make art, not war
A recent study by the Arab Studies expert David Kreuer indicates that young Palestinians do not view engaging in armed struggle as the first option when it comes to putting up resistance to Israel. By Joseph Croitoru
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The Gaza conflict
Can art heal in a time of war?
War alters societies, and art can serve to gauge the change. In the war-struck Middle East, artists are hindered in their work, and some are forced to emigrate. Some feel a sense of hopelessness, while others still firmly believe in the healing capacity of art. Ulrike Schleicher reports on different reactions to the current crisis within the artistic community
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Art and Design in Jordan
A facelift for Amman's artisanal businesses
Custom-made logos, individual lettering, business cards to match – corporate design is something of a luxury in Jordan, especially for small artisan businesses with little or no advertising budgets. Now, two young graphic designers in Amman are coming to their aid with some fresh ideas. By Daniela Schroeder
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Lebanese comic artist Zeina Abirached
Seeing war through the eyes of a child
The Lebanese artist Zeina Abirached grew up during the country’s 15-year civil war. In her comic books, she describes how her family experienced the horror of this brutal conflict. Juliane Metzker talked to her
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Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Vatican treasures in the Gulf
The Vatican is pursuing a new policy of openness towards other faiths and co-operation between religions, a policy that is reflected in a very special exhibition in the Emirate of Sharjah, the neighbouring emirate to Dubai. This exhibition shows the full breadth and reach of Islam. By Werner Bloch