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Advancing Design in the Middle East and North Africa & Building Cross-Cultural Networks

The Khatt Foundation, Center for Arabic Typography is a non-profit organization that aims to encourage new design developments and improve (typo)graphic communication in the Arab World and the Middle East. We strive to connect designers and visual artists, provide information about various resources, projects, news and events regarding this highly specialized field of visual communication. Join us, read, contribute, and meet colleagues. Learn more about the Khatt Foundation's activities and projects.

  • event

    Typographic Matchmaking in the City 2.0

    May 9th, 2009, posted by: Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares

      Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares -

      The Khatt Foundation, curated by Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares, is launching the Typographic Matchmaking sequel — Typographic Matchmaking in the City V2.0 project — which focuses on typography’s use in placemaking within an urban context.

      Presentation of the project in Dubai

      Sunday 15 - 22 March 2009 | Bastkia Art Fair 2009
      Typographic Installation at Khatt Foundation's House 58
      Exhibition of sketches and ideas of the Typographic Matchmaking in the City project

      Friday, 20 March 2009, 9pm onwards | Bastkia Art Fair 2009
      Presentations and party
      Event Title: Why we do What we do and How || Typographic Matchmaking 2.0 designers in conversation with local/guest designers and architects.

      Saturday, 21 March 2009, 3.30-4.30pm | Art Dubai 2009
      The Bidoun Lounge, in the Art Park at Art Dubai (March 18-21, 2009), has a special focus on architecture and design in the UAE on Saturday March 21, 2.30-5pm. 15.30 - 16.15 The Khatt Foundation - Typographic Matchmaking in the City 2.0 Project, with Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès and the TypoMatch 2.0 Designers.


      Short Introduction film by Jan de Bruin and Ans Kanen: Typographic matchmaking 2.0 meetings in Amsterdam, Dubai and Sharjah (2009).

      click here to see the presentation

      The Typographic Matchmaking in the City V2.0 project will focus on typography’s use in placemaking within an urban context. It will investigate the way that typography can merge with urban design to create public spaces with a unique sense of place (spaces that attract people because they are pleasurable and/or engaging, involve social encounters and immersion in the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of the  locale). Typography will be inspired, on the visual and conceptual level, from specif...

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    • Book

      Arabic Font Specimen Book

      April 29th, 2009, posted by: Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares

      Edo Smitshuijzen -

      The Arabic Font Specimen book is finally published and available!
      Good news for all of you who have been patiently waiting.

      For copies, please visit the sites of Nijhof & Lee International Booksellers at : www.nijhoflee.nl/design/typography/

      Author: Edo Smitshuijzen
      Published by Uitgeverij De Buitenkant. Amsterdam. 2009
      Blind & Gilt-stamped grey cloth with dust wrapper 656 pages, 3 coloured book-marks
      Text output: Thesis - Luc(as) de Groot
      Basic typographic design & text-editing: Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares
      Illustrations/layout and cover design: Edo Smitshuijzen
      Limited edition
      Price: € 150.00

      Arabic typography exists in a universe of extremes: considered as holy by some, fr...

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    • event

      Orientalia : Lead, Light and Letters

      Exhibition on Arabo-Dutch Type Design from the 17th-21st Century.

      January 1th, 2009, posted by: Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares

      A timely and positive way to promote cultural exchange and understanding between the West and the Arab world, and put the topic in broader historical and cultural context. This traveling exhibition, initiated in 2005 and organized by the Khatt Foundation, is planned to open in 2010.

      The exhibition will showcase a series of Arabic type designs that outline the involvement of Dutch punchcutters and type designers in the historical development of Arabic printing types, as well as their influence on the new generation of young Arab (type)designers in Europe and the Middle East.

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