Arabic Language in Focus at the Media Majlis Museum

The eighth mixed media exhibition by the Media Majlis Museum (mm:museum) at Northwestern University in Qatar was recently inaugurated. The exhibition theme “The limits of my language are the limits of my world,” explores the Arabic language, its imprints from the past, its multifaceted present and precarious future. Curated by cultural producer and Northwestern Qatar alumna Amal Zeyad Ali, it will run until December 5, 2024.

In line with the Media Majlis Museum’s mission, the new exhibition combines art, media, and technology to examine the present representations, historical impacts, and future of the Arabic language. Throughout history, Arabic language has shaped tastes, perceptions, and narratives worldwide across culture, politics, social relations, trade, and science.

“Nowadays, however, the language faces challenges of misrepresentation, especially in a digital and globalised world where English increasingly prevails. This exhibition invites visitors to explore the rich history and influence of the Arabic language and to reflect on its place in the future,” explains Amal Zeyad Ali, the curator of the exhibition.

Like the preceding exhibitions at Media Majlis Museum, students and visitors flocked the lounge area of NUQ as well as the exhibition premises and the atmosphere seemed more like a social gathering than a museum opening with interactive sessions being played out loudly breaking conventional definitions of a museum.

And that perhaps defines the varied approach of the Media Majlis Museum which does confirm itself to one particular narrative but provides visitors with all information and mediums like art, technology and interactive games all of which compel visitors to make their own interpretation and to go home with an educated mind on the topic of the exhibition.

Amal tells us about the particular pattern for the exhibitions within Media Majlis, Museum.

“Our exhibition incorporates several interactive elements to engage visitors in a unique and personal journey through the exploration of the Arabic language. One of the key interactive features is Latifa Al Ali’s Letter by Letter (Harf Harf) station. This installation uses Arabic letter beads, offering a tangible way for both children and adults to explore and play with the building blocks of the Arabic script. These wearable beads address the scarcity of well-crafted learning tools for the Arabic language, making the experience both educational and enjoyable,” she says.

These simple games also make the Media Majlis Museum and its various exhibits much more accessible to the general audience and through play the theme of the exhibition is introduced and explained though in a much fun and casual manner.

“Additionally, we developed the Takween Mural in collaboration with Akwan and Lujain Abulfaraj. This life-size interactive mural is based on the patented Takween toy, a modular magnetic block set that allows visitors of all ages to form Arabic letters and words through play,” adds Amal.

This interactive installation not only fosters a deeper appreciation for the Arabic language but also inspires a genuine passion for its beauty and intricacy. By engaging with these elements, visitors can create a unique and personal connection with the content, enhancing their overall experience in the exhibition.

Arabic language and typology have been a recent topic of interest and we ask Amal how different is the offering at NUQ than the one called  ‘Inner Structures – Outer Rhythms: Contemporary Arab & Persian Graphic Design’ held at VCUArts Qatar a few months back.

“The limits of my language are the limits of my world explores the broader significance, influence, and impact of the Arabic language across various global domains, including politics, social relations, trade, and science. Rather than focusing solely on the artistic and creative aspects of Arabic typography, this exhibition highlights the beauty, diversity and complexity of the Arabic language through the lenses of art, media and technology. It encourages visitors to contemplate the future of Arabic as a prominent language and to consider the collective responsibility, from policymakers to the media and educators, to ensure its continued relevance and influence on the world stage,” explains Amal.

Commissioned Art

The exhibition features several commissioned pieces, including Clear Truth by Hussein Alazaat, Breaths of a Dialog by Qatar-based Jordanian artist Hala Amer, and Takween Mural by Lujain Abulfaraj of Akwan. Additionally, there is Letter by Letter by Latifa Al Ali, as well as two works by Simon Mortimer titled Lentils and No Limits. Karim Jabbari contributed The Language of Time, while Zainab Alsabba presented Lines. The exhibition also showcases Language of Poets by Dana Dajani and A Message by Salwa Sadek.

Lines by Bahraini artist Zainab Alsabba is a world of words which is an attempt by the artist to say what others do not hear. Lines is free text that reflects personal suffering and disappointment.

The Language of Time by Karim Jabbari is a beautiful immersive installation that intends to take the viewers through the beauty of Arabic language, poetry and calligraphy. A soft light seems to fall onto the cascade of paper and it is designed to mimic sunrise that represents the rebirth of the language.

The Breaths of a Dialogue traces the linguistic journey of the Arabic word for “orange” to demonstrate exchanges between East and West. The work symbolises a rich tapestry of cultural and historical connections forged through language and trade. This is the perfect example on how the Media Majlis Museum brings in layers of content to examine the theme of the exhibition.

“Letter by Letter” by Bahraini artist Latifa Al Ali, which offers an innovative tool for learning and interacting with the Arabic.

“Skateboard series” by Saudi artist Yusef Alahmad, blends counterculture with Islamic design.

“No Limits,” “Right to Left,” “Round Puff,” “Learn,” “Build,” and “Lentils” by Saudi-based British artist Simon Mortimer, which use metaphors like a falcon and Arabic proverbs to explore language, multiculturalism, and education from the perspective of a non-speaker

The Journey of Curation

We ask Amal about her introduction to the world of art and art curation. “This is my first full-fledged curated exhibition at Media Majlis Museum. It has been an incredible journey. Curating The limits of my language are the limits of my world has been both a challenging and deeply rewarding experience. My journey into curation began during my pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Northwestern Qatar. I enjoyed visiting museums, galleries and exhibitions and wanted to facilitate that same joy for others,” she says.

This exhibition in particular has been particularly close and personal to her as she lives the life of a bilingual professional who is caught in the midst of her love for her mother tongue while practical reasons made her proficient in the language of business or work, English.

“While Arabic is considered my mother tongue, I began speaking English first. Therefore, it was crucial to explore the power of language in shaping our understanding of the world and thus, our identities. I wanted to create an exhibition that goes beyond traditional displays, offering visitors an immersive and interactive experience that prompts them to reflect on the role of Arabic in the past, present, and future from multifaceted angles. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the art of curation, and I’m excited to continue exploring new ways to engage audiences with meaningful and thought-provoking exhibitions in the future,” she says.

The challenges faced during the preperations  were mostly managed with the support and resources provided by the institution, according to Amal.

“Working within established institutions such as Northwestern University in Qatar and the Media Majlis Museum, allowed me to strive for excellence and collaboration across the board which required thorough research and attention to detail,” she says, “Arabic language is a huge topic and there are many perspectives on it, but there are also gaps in the discussion which I worked to fill during the exhibition creation-process such as the lack of Arabic’s media presence.

The Perspective on Language
Topics like the future of the Arabic language are incredibly important for institutions like Northwestern Qatar because they encourage critical discussions that align with both academic and cultural missions.

In an institution like Northwestern Qatar, fostering such discussions is crucial as it empowers students, faculty, and the broader community to engage with and contribute to the ongoing efforts to preserve and elevate the Arabic language in the modern world, Amal specifies.

“Academically, all media starts with language and being situated in Qatar, all our students are bound to interact with Arabic. This helps prepare them for that interaction,” notes Amal.

Culturally, the ongoing debate on the conservation, preservation and protection of Arabic is something that has been a discussion point for decades. While there are differing perspectives on the future of Arabic, no concrete solutions exist and therefore this exhibition aims to provide a platform for debate to unpack potential solutions.

“Furthermore, from a legal perspective, the exhibition resonates with recent initiatives like Law No. 7 of 2019, issued by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which emphasises the need to safeguard Arabic within public and private institutions. This aligns with Qatar’s broader efforts to preserve its linguistic and cultural heritage, ensuring that Arabic remains integral to the nation’s identity. By exploring these themes, the exhibition also supports Qatar Foundation’s mission to promote and nurture the growth of the Arabic language, making it relevant not only within an academic setting but also in the wider cultural context of Qatar.”