Khatt Egypt’s Calligraphic Landscape
Khatt Egypt’s Calligraphic Landscape by Basma Hamdy, published by Saqi Books in 2018, presents a visual exploration of the diverse calligraphic script found throughout Egyptian cities and villages. This 160-page edition showcases a range of urban lettering, from casual scrawls to vibrant murals, that adorn various surfaces such as mosques, shop fronts, and walls. The book captures the essence of these written expressions, reflecting the hopes, fears, and dreams of the people.
Readers will find a rich documentation of both historical and contemporary calligraphy, emphasizing the traditional craftsmanship that is increasingly at risk due to the digitization of Arabic script. The work highlights the unique techniques and mediums used in this art form, offering insights into its significance within Middle Eastern culture. With beautiful examples of calligraphy and photography, this book serves as a tribute to Egypt’s calligraphic heritage and its role in popular culture.
Official synopsis Publisher
Egyptian cities and villages abound with an enormous wealth of khatt, or calligraphic script, ranging from casual scrawls and scribbles to elaborately-painted colourful murals. These historical and contemporary versions of urban lettering , varying in surface, medium and technique, adorn mosques, shop-fronts, houses, trucks, boats, schools, tuk tuks and walls. They are records of human existence, documenting expressions of hope, fears, dreams and anxieties.
Featuring beautiful, unique examples of these written expressions, Khatt is an extensive visual documentation of the found typography and calligraphy in Egypt, a calligraphy hub that possesses a rich tradition of education and production in the field. This timely volume records the traditional craftsmanship of hand-painted calligraphy, in decline because of the digitisation of the Arabic script.
Basma Hamdy is a research-based designer, author and educator. Currently Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Hamdy earned an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her publications include Walls of Freedom: Street Art of the Egyptian Revolution.
Noha Zayed is a photographer currently based in Cairo, Egypt. Zayed has exhibited in festivals across the Middle East. Her other creative endeavors include film and music projects such as a documentary on travel and education aired on Al Jazeera in 2017.
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