11 years ago, a Foundation dedicated to the promoting the art of Arabic typography and design was founded in Amsterdam. Their aim: to develop and bolster the culture of Arabic-inspired design in the Middle East and North Africa, bridging the gaps and combining creative platforms. The Khatt Foundation partners with various established design institutions traverses projects and hopes to educate and promote idea exchange and work collaboration in the region. The founder, Huda Smitshuijzen Abifares, recieved her design degrees from Yale and the Rhode Island School of Design, and is beyond excited about the Foundation’s participation in Design Days Dubai, which kicks off tomorrow, March 16, and runs until the 20th.
In Design Days Dubai, the Khatt Foundation will be gestating the design competition entitled “Letters to Wear” along with luxury brand Baraboux. The competition will be open to all artists, typographers and designers, and will ask them to turn Arabic letters into bag charms that will later be displayed throughout the Design Days exhibition space. The goal is to stimulate critical writing on these topics from within the culture, and to pave the way for critical writing, by Arab authors, on design from the region.
For more information: Check out the Khatt Foundation’s online network and stay tuned to all their inspiring design work in the region.
