Beyond the Letters

Curated by Basma Hamdy, Professor of Graphic Design at VCUarts Qatar and Principal Investigator of TypeAraby, a research lab within VCUarts Qatar’s Institute for Creative Research, and Ali Asali, a multidisciplinary designer, visual artist and founder of StudioMetaphor. 

The project emphasizes the interconnectivity and relationality of typography as a symbolic representation of language and its complex, networked attachment to existential and experiential modes of being and knowing.

It presents a fresh perspective on contemporary design from the MENASA region—disentangled from commercial and capitalist systems—and honors traditional practices and heritage that are often marginalized or misunderstood.

Beyond the Letters explores the hidden dimensions of Arabic and Persian typography. By delving into the historical, geographical, spiritual, mystical, and performative contexts of the script, the project challenges the dominance of Western-centric approaches to design discourse and practice.

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