Exhibition 421, the artistic and creative center in Abu Dhabi, will launch its new exhibition, "Traveling Marks: Arabian Travels," on 16 March, which will review the important role played by ancient texts in shaping and preserving the cultural identity of Middle Eastern civilizations.
The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Kach Foundation, will explore the origins of six of the most influential alphabets in history in the region, as the story of ancient texts in the Middle East is a vivid demonstration of the region's wealth, diversity and life. In this context, writing styles and calligraphy are the main focus of the new exhibition, in a way that reflects the vision of artistic value. Dr. Huda Smitshosen Abu Fares, Founding Director of Kut Foundation and publisher of the Box Line.
The exhibition marks the first exhibition of new artworks for the 421th exhibition. The artworks were specially designed and presented for the first time through the exhibition, which presents new works by artists and designers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The works combine texts and patterns that combine the concept of "modern travelers" with the traditional craftsmanship, and explore their potential in contemporary art in a creative way.
Faisal Al Hassan, Director of Gallery 421, said: "The nine-day Arabian Travels is an important milestone in our exhibition. It reflects our ongoing efforts to enrich the local and regional artistic landscape and highlight creative talent from around the world. "We seek to introduce artists not only as art designers, but as designers of ideas that will enhance the artistic contribution and its impact on the minds, so we are committed to assigning artists entirely new works to be presented for the first time through the event."
Cultural identity
The event examines the role of ancient texts in drawing up and preserving the cultural identity of the civilizations of the Middle East.