Casa Árabe, with the cooperation of the Khatt Foundation, is hosting the closing event of the typesetting research seminar days titled “Typographic Matchmaking in the Maghrib 3.0,” the objective of which is to promote cultural dialogue and assist in developing native design skills.

At its third edition, a group of European researchers (from Holland, Spain and France) and Arab researchers (from Morocco, Tunisia and Lebanon) will be researching and developing different families of typesetting fonts, combining Arabic, Berber and Latin languages.

During the closing event, a public presentation of the preliminary design concept of the tri-script family of fonts will be given by the teams of designers. The event will be presented by Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès, director of the Khatt Foundation. [Further information]

Further information at the Khatt Foundation website, with the schedule of events (in English).

In Spain, we possess one of the richest, most exceptional calligraphy legacies in the Arab and Islamic world, where calligraphy has historically been at the forefront of the visual arts. The variety of styles developed in Al-Andalus, from the monumental inscriptions splendidly preserved at historical sites such as Cordoba’s Mosque and the Alhambra in Granada to the calligraphic works seen in sumptuous decorative arts (marble, metal work, pottery, fabrics...) and the book printing industry, all will form part of this conference, which will be illustrated with images and information on their craftsmen and the historical and cultural circumstances in which each variety of art was created.

José Miguel Puerta Vílchez
An Arabist and professor from the Art History Department a the University of Granada. Puerta Vílchez has published Los códigos de utopía de la Alhambra de Granada (The Codes of Utopia in the Alhambra of Granada, 1990), Historia del pensamiento estético árabe (History of Arab Aesthetic Thought, 1997), La aventura del cálamo (The Adventure of the Calligraphy Pen, 2007), Leer la Alhambra (Reading the Alhambra, 2010) and La poética del agua en el islam (The Poetics of Water in Islam, 2011). Most notable amongst his translations are Adonis’ Sufism and Surrealism (2008) and the books by Ghada Sammán, Beirut 75 (novel) and La luna cuadrada (The Square Moon, a book of fantasy tales and winner of the Andalusian Translation Award of 2008). He was also the co-director and editor of the Al-Andalus Library (9 volumes published from 2003-2013) and the curator of the exhibitions Doce candiles para Granada (Twelve Candles for Granada) by Palestinian painter Kamal Bullata and Syrian poet Adonis (Granada, The Alhambra Board of Trustees, 1998), Libertad e innovación. Caligrafía árabe contemporánea (Freedom and Innovation: Contemporary Arabic calligraphy, Casa Árabe, Madrid-Cordoba, 2010-2011) and Artes y culturas de al-Andalus. El poder de la Alhambra (Arts and Cultures of Al-Andalus: The power of the Alhambra, Granada, The Alhambra Board of Trustees-El Legado Andalusí Foundation, 2013-2014).