This Being Human

When Dr. Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès moved from Beirut to study in the United States, she found herself doing something she'd never had to do before: explaining her own visual culture to people who'd never seen it. That challenge changed everything. It sent her deep into the history of Arabic typography—how it grew from calligraphic tradition, was codified by ninth-century philologists in Baghdad, and is now being reimagined through algorithms and animation. And it gave her a lifelong mission: to show the world a side of SWANA creative culture that rarely makes it into the conversation.In this episode, host Mai Habib sits down with Dr. Smitshuijzen AbiFarès to go behind the scenes of her exhibition Inner Structures, Outer Rhythms, explore what makes Arabic letterforms so uniquely expressive, and make the case that contemporary graphic design from the SWANA region is one of the most direct living continuations of Islamic artistic heritage.*The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human.*Links & Resources:This was just one example of Muslim art that sparked curiosity and a great conversation. There is so much more to see at the Aga Khan Museum. Support the museum's vision to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. Go to agakhanmuseum.org to plan your visit or make a donation.Can't make it in person? Explore the 3D virtual tour of Inner Structures, Outer Rhythms from anywhere in the world.Check out more episodes in full video.Key Moments0:00 Introduction to This Being Human and the world of Arabic typography1:20 Dr. Smitshuijzen AbiFarès' background and how studying abroad sparked her passion for typography3:07 Defining typography, and how it differs from calligraphy and hand lettering5:59 How the Arabic script connects cultures across the SWANA region and beyond8:58 The Quran as connector: Arabic, Islam, and the preservation of a shared script11:51 What makes Arabic letterforms uniquely readable across wildly different styles13:36 Behind the scenes of Inner Structures, Outer Rhythms: vision, work, and journey18:11 How the exhibition adapted to audiences in Qatar, Germany, and Toronto21:10 Why sparking new conversations—not delivering answers—was the ultimate goal27:55 The future of Arabic typography: algorithms, animation, and a script that endures Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we sit down with renowned contemporary artist Faig Ahmed, celebrated for his revolutionary approach to traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving. Faig’s work transcends cultural and artistic boundaries, creating a unique dialogue between the ancient and the modern.We delve into his artistic journey, exploring the inspirations and creative processes behind his avant-garde masterpieces. Faig shares how he deconstructs and reimagines centuries-old patterns, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary artistry to challenge our perceptions of tradition and modernity.Join us for an enlightening conversation as we uncover the profound cultural significance of Faig’s work and the message he hopes to convey through his transformative pieces.The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of "This Being Human," we sit down with Deeyah Khan, an acclaimed filmmaker and activist renowned for her transformative documentaries. Deeyah shares her remarkable journey from being a music artist to becoming a powerful voice against extremism through film. Growing up as a Norwegian of Pakistani descent, she faced significant cultural and racial challenges that shaped her worldview and ignited her passion for storytelling. Deeyah recounts her transition from music to filmmaking, driven by a desire to address critical social issues and humanize those often seen as enemies.Deeyah delves into her profound experiences engaging with white supremacists and jihadis, offering an unfiltered look at the roots of their beliefs and the power of empathy. Her films, including encounters with former extremists, have not only shed light on the psychology of hate but have also sparked moments of transformation for her subjects. Through heartfelt dialogue and unwavering courage, Deeyah's work demonstrates the possibility of change and understanding even in the most polarized situations.Throughout the conversation, Deeyah reflects on the importance of empathy, love, and humanizing others as acts of defiance and resistance. She discusses the personal impact of her work, including how motherhood has deepened her commitment to creating a better world. This episode offers a powerful exploration of art as activism and the enduring hope that comes from seeing beyond hatred to our shared humanity. Join us as we uncover the stories behind Deeyah Khan's impactful films and her unwavering belief in the transformative power of empathy.To learn more, visit deeyah.comTo fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey.If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman.The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we delve into the artistic universe of Refik Anadol, a Turkish-American new media artist renowned for his innovative use of data-driven machine learning algorithms in art. From his early days in Istanbul to his advanced studies and creative endeavors in Los Angeles, we explore the formative experiences that shaped his pioneering approach to digital art. Refik discusses his groundbreaking projects like "Machine Hallucination" and "Virtual Depictions," revealing how he transforms abstract data into immersive, sensory experiences that challenge traditional notions of art and space. The episode also highlights his cultural collaborations and the impact of his work on global art narratives, all while contemplating the evolving role of artists in our technology-driven world. Join us as we journey through Refik Anadol's vision, where data not only informs but also inspires the future of artistic expression.To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey.If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman.The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saks Afridi is an artist who refers to his work as ,scfi-fi sufism., His pieces include prayer rugs depicting UFOs, visual art that blends images of circuitry with classic Islamic design, and an extensive, multi-disciplinary project based on a mythological world that he calls Space Mosque. Saks talks about blending the spiritual with the speculative, why the idea of prayer factors into so much of his work, and how his day job in advertising informs his art practice.To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey.If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman.The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kiran Ahluwalia is a true innovator-her songs blend the music of India with influences from Mali and western blues, rock, R&B and jazz to create a sound unlike any other artist. Over the last two decades, Kiran has studied under masters of classical Indian music and collaborated with iconic North African artists, most notably the iconic desert blues group Tinariwen. On this episode, she talks about her new single, Pancake, her decision to leave her career in Canada to study music in India, and her family's experience of the partition of India.To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey.If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman.The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Haroon Siddiqui has had many titles. Reporter, columnist, editor... the list goes on. He can now add author to his resume with the release of his memoir "My Name is Not Harry". It's a profound reflection on his career, Canadian values, his immigrant superpowers and the role he believes luck, or perhaps divine destiny, has played in his incredible life.To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey.If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman.The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.