There is more to life than politics and economics, and often this is forgotten when the Middle East is involved. The Culture section aims to fill this gap and provide a more complete image of the region by looking into its rich art scene and exploring less-traditional aspects that comprise its culture.
Architect and urban planner, Dariush Borbor, brings his expertise to The Majalla to explain the progress of urban planning in Iran. From the prospect of an environmentally friendly movement in urban planning, to the influence of political leaders, Borbor takes you through the ins and outs of architectural and urban planning trends in the country.
Marjane Satrapi's stunning art has always been firmly rooted in her own experience growing up in a politically tumultuous Iran, and in the unique story arc that has defined her life. As intensely personal as her artistic narrative may be, her visual representation of that narrative actually draws upon the aesthetic of both German Expressionist and Italian Neo-Realist cinematic movements. As disparate as those two movements may seem, when Marjani cuts and pastes them together, an entirely organic and compelling form emerges before the viewer.
The art scene in the Gulf is experiencing somewhat of an explosion in creativity. And the emergence of the Middle East as a cultural hub is suddenly drawing the attention of Western art buffs. Two recent books published in London—Saatchi Gallery’s "Unveiled" and Saeb Einger’s "Art of the Middle East" bring contemporary Middle Eastern art to a Western audience. However, both titles are misleading as neither publication provides a comprehensive analysis. Unveiled exhibits a selective politicized representation of Middle Eastern art whilst the latter, although claiming to be an extensive survey, omits some of the Arab world’s most influential artists.
The Time that Remains, a film told through the eyes of Elia Suleiman and his experience as a Palestinian, illustrates how loss need not lead to despondency. Survival and the compromises it entails is not capitulation. Rather, in the most compromising situation, the dignity of a person and a people—even as it has been violated—can remain untouchable and beyond the boundaries of any external force, however potentially overwhelming and powerful.
London’s October Gallery recently exhibited Koraichi’s latest collection entitled Ecstatic Flow- The Invisible Masters of Sufism where he spoke with The Majalla about his work and the state of contemporary Middle Eastern art.
After years of working exclusively in Iran, prolific filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami premiered his first “foreign” film at Cannes last month. Certified Copy was shot in Italy and features Juliette Binoche and William Shimmel exchanging thoughts on the value of imitation in both art and life. But despite the obvious discrepancies in setting and style, Kiarostami conveys a continuity with his past work by evoking themes, philosophies, and preoccupations that he has contemplated throughout his long and successful career.
A global survey shows a steep decline in US approval ratings in Muslim countries
As many regional variables begin to play into the future defi nition of Saudi-US ties, the formula that was once used to characterize their rapport no longer applies writes Caryle Murphy
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2. Have an assertive pol
...
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