The Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar is hosting The Limits of My Language Are the Limits of My World, a captivating multimedia show showcasing a full range of exhibits including music videos, comedy skits, animations, and documentaries. The exhibition delves into the Arabic language’s complexities, its influence, and its future, as well as addresses the challenges Arabic media faces in a digital landscape dominated by English. Curated by Amal Zeyad Ali, the show will be open to the public until 5 December 2024.
Focusing on the intricate relationship between Arabic and English, the exhibition explores how the dominance of one language can affect the development and preservation of others. It highlights the fragmentation within Arabic itself, with various dialects creating a lack of unity across the Arab world. The show also examines the challenges of establishing a standard form of Arabic for mass communication, while considering the role of media, lawmakers, and institutions in safeguarding its future.
Through the exhibition, one can discover how everyday words and phrases have influenced cultures over more than a thousand years, in areas ranging from religion and politics to trade and science. Visitors can also familiarise themselves with the origins of words that have marked historical milestones and learn about the threats posed by Western media narratives, as well as the power dynamics shaping daily life.
The show comprises four sections. The first, Always Another Side?, introduces the Arabic language and challenges stereotypes by emphasising its beauty, diversity, and cultural richness. The second, An Influential and Powerful Language?, explores the global influence of Arabic, both historically and today. The third section, Does Media Representation Matter?, scrutinises how Arabic is depicted in contemporary media, questioning its place in a rapidly globalising world. The final section, Is Arabic a Language of the Future?, reflects on the efforts to preserve and promote Arabic in the face of globalisation.
Among highlights of the exhibition are Breaths of a Dialog by Jordanian designer and artist Hala Amer, which explores the cultural significance of the Arabic word for “orange,” and Qatari artist Latifa Al Ali’s Letter by Letter (Harf Harf), the wearable letter beads one can use to explore the Arabic script, playing with the building blocks of the language. Meanwhile, multidisciplinary designer Hussein Alazaat presents Clear Truth, a piece that abstracts Arabic calligraphy to explore transparency in the digital age.
Other significant works include Lines by Bahraini artist Zainab Alsabba, a text installation which portrays personal struggles, stimulating the viewers’ senses; the Skateboard Series by Saudi graphic designer and artist Yusef Alahmad; and visual artist Simon Mortimer’s vibrant mixed-media creations that explore Saudi Arabia’s evolving pop culture.
The show also offers interactive elements, such as the Takween Mural, a magnetic block set by Akwan and designer Lujain Abulfaraj that allows visitors to experiment with Arabic letters and words. Additionally, spoken word performances by Salwa Sadek and Dana Dajani, along with insights from content creators Salam Katanani and Qasem Elhato, examine the impact of Arabic in various modern media.
To get more information about The Limits of My Language Are the Limits of My World, please visit the official web page of the exhibition.
In addition, you might be interested in reading our article about four places in Dubai where you can enjoy digital art.
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