Saudi artist finds strength, solace to heal through art
Haya Al-Tasan, a cancer survivor, discovered healing through the power of painting, giving her solace and strength
Haya Al-Tasan: Drawing and engaging in art became a source of happiness and therapy for me, providing a positive and uplifting energy
Updated 01 November 2023
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Saudi artist Haya Al-Tasan’s booth stood out at the Classy Expo 2023, held from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31 at Jeddah Super Dome.
Al-Tasan, a cancer survivor, discovered healing through the power of painting, giving her solace and strength.
She told Arab News: “I used to love art and drawing since I was a little girl but never took it seriously until I discovered it was more than just a hobby. Drawing and engaging in art became a source of happiness and therapy for me, providing a positive and uplifting energy. It was like feeding the soul with art.”
The Classy Expo was a turning point in Al-Tasan’s artistic journey, with the surprise booth arranged by her daughter. Visitors were captivated by the work displayed in her art booth.
“I feel speechless and so happy, emotional, when visitors recognize the artwork and feel my pain and happiness through my artwork,” Al-Tasan said.
Through her work, she hopes to convey messages of happiness, resilience and the idea that from every negative experience something beautiful can emerge.
“I wanted people to see happiness in my artwork and to feel that all the pain I went through led to beautiful artwork and turned out to be something good. From everything bad, there is good. Don’t give up, keep trying,” she said.
Art has also played a significant role in Al-Tasan’s personal growth. It has helped her to find calm, avoid taking things personally, and to make decisions without regrets. “The process helped me to calm down and be patient,” she said.
Al-Tasan’s artwork is inspired by the culture of Africa, specifically focusing on the beauty of African women and their traditional attire. Her skillful brushstrokes capture the vibrant colors, patterns and textures of African fashion, creating visually stunning pieces. Her paintings not only pay homage to African heritage but also promote cultural appreciation and understanding.
Her artwork often portrays the joy and energy of dance, taking viewers on a journey that expresses the rhythm and movement of music. She also incorporates the delicate beauty of flowers, using their colors and forms to add depth and symbolism to her creations. Through her diverse range of subjects, Al-Tasan’s artwork showcases her talent and passion for capturing the essence of culture, music and nature.
Al-Tasan aspires to share her work with a wider audience. The expo helped to open doors for her, allowing her to network, meet art enthusiasts and receive offers from various stores. Al-Tasan is determined to become an artist known worldwide and plans to continue creating art and engaging with others.
Inside Afikra: Born in New York, the collective has been cultivating curiosity and community for a decade
‘We were this small community of 15 people. Now we’re hosting events at the Lincoln Center,’ says founder Mikey Muhanna
Updated 03 October 2024
Jasmine Bager
RIYADH: In 2014, Lebanese millennial Mikey Muhanna was living in New York. Despite having a healthy social scene swirling around him, he yearned for a community in which he could connect with fellow Arabs in a way that made sense to him and his “nerdy” sensibility. His brainchild, Afikra — a platform for salon-style community gatherings — was born out of a personal quest to reconnect with his Arab roots.
In doing so, he unknowingly embarked on a journey that would eventually lead him to become the steward of a unique global movement.
An Afrika event in Bahrain in 2019. (Supplied)
As a former school teacher, Muhanna was inspired by the Pen League, a collective of active Arabs and Arab-American wordsmiths living in New York a century before. He, too, wanted to collaborate and collide with fellow Arab residents in the area who wanted to explore and reflect upon their heritage and their sense of belonging. He didn’t want to linger on stereotypes associating Arabs with violence and oppression; he wanted to exchange ideas about other Arab identities and histories, to be part of something that went deeper than a text book or social media.
He started small with a humble gathering of like-minded people in Brooklyn, hosting Afikra nights first in his own apartment, and then in those of other members.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Afikra (which roughly translates to “and by the way”) now has more than 200,000 members globally and has become a brand in its own right. When people see the Afikra logo, they know they can expect quality content that is invigorating, interesting and informative. Muhanna now has a trusted team of staff and volunteers that he relies on to get the message out and the work done.
“We were this small community of 15 people. Now we’re hosting events at the Lincoln Center, which is crazy,” Muhanna tells Arab News. In the week beginning Sept. 24, Afikra was celebrating its 10th anniversary with a few famous friends on stage — including architect Rami Abou Khalil, Sudanese singer Alsarah, Lebanese-British journalist Zahra Hankir, and Moroccan-American author and political scientist Hisham Aidi — at locations across New York, including the aforementioned Lincoln Center.
The success of Afikra lies not in its numbers, but in its spirit. It’s a place where curiosity reigns supreme, where the pursuit of knowledge is a shared experience and where members of the global Arab diaspora come together to explore and redefine the cultural landscape of the Arab world — especially during these turbulent times.
Muhanna, who is now based in Lebanon, knows that Afikra has become a vital archival resource for the future. It provides a platform for people from the Arab region to be taken seriously within the wider world (with its Afikra Academy, the organization offers free lesson plans and material for teachers and students). It is a place where “hope” lives, Muhanna says.
There is also an Afikra podcast; an array of book-club meetings, film screenings and workshops; and strategic partnerships with institutes including Qatar Museum, NYU Abu Dhabi, Jameel Arts Center and the British Council. Its members and organizers are constantly exploring new ways to amplify Arab stories and lessons. Nobody in the Afikra world is “stingy” with their knowledge, Muhanna says, everyone is there to make the space more informed than when they came in.
Omar Offendum, Mona Miari and Zafer Tawil perform in New York on Sept. 24 as part of Afikra’s 10-year anniversary celebrations. (Supplied)
Afikra doesn’t encourage passive consumption, instead, it invites participants to actively engage on some level — whether by asking questions or answering them, or both. Through its curated series of talks, interviews and workshops, Afikra provides a platform to delve into diverse topics ranging from classical Arab literature to modern art, from regional politics to architectural heritage.
“We’re trying to get people to contribute... not just come and see and be seen,” Muhanna explains. “We want you to generously contribute.” That is the essence of Afikra — every voice matters, learning is reciprocal and the lines between teacher and student blur.
“The last 10 years have been kind of this act of relocating myself with all these people,” he continues. “We’re all redefining the topography of the Arab world in our imaginations, but also in real life.”
This idea is central to Afikra. It’s about creating a space where the rich, multifaceted history of the Arab world can be explored in its entirety—the good, the bad, the complex, and the confusing. By doing so, it is helping to shape a more nuanced understanding of the Arab world. At its core, Afikra is about intellectual curiosity.
“We are essentially a collection of our interests,” Muhanna says. “We’re telling people you are allowed to engage in those interests.”
The Afikra community is geographically diverse, but there’s a sense of shared purpose and responsibility that unites it. As Muhanna puts it, “You have inherited this region, and you’re trying to be a steward of this region and try to make it the best version of itself.”
Over the past decade, Afikra has hosted more than 400 events, featuring scholars, artists and thought leaders from across the Arab world and its diaspora — from its signature “Conversations” series, in which experts are interviewed on subjects ranging from poetry to archaeology, to its “Salon” talks, in which community members present research on topics of personal interest. These events, many of which are available for free online, have attracted a wide and diverse audience.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the extent to which Afikra has managed to remain inclusive and accessible. Unlike many academic or cultural institutions, Afikra doesn’t cater solely to experts or scholars or to the elite influencers. Instead, it welcomes everyone, from those deeply entrenched in Arab studies to those just beginning their journey of exploration.
Afikra operates regular chapters in numerous cities, including New York, Beirut, Berlin, Marrakesh, London, and, of course, Riyadh.
For Muhanna, the success of Afikra is not just about numbers or algorithms; it’s about the impact the platform has had on individuals and the community at large — and on him personally.
“The responsibility is immense, for sure,” he says. “But the joy is immense, too.”
Dutch Moroccan DJ and producer R3hab promises Saudi gig
Updated 01 October 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Dutch Moroccan DJ and record producer R3hab plans to return to Saudi Arabia before the end of the year, he told Arab News, hot on the heels of a busy six-month period during which he has hit the decks in Finland, China, Spain and beyond.
The DJ, who took to the stage at the E-Sports World Cup in Riyadh alongside Wiz Khalifa this summer, said in an interview with Arab News. “I’ve been to Riyadh many times, the energy of the city is unique. I really love performing in Saudi Arabia, the crowd energy is something else,” he said.
Asked if his Saudi fans will get to see him again soon, R3hab said: “All I can say is I’ll be back in Saudi before the end of the year and I can’t wait to play all the unreleased music I’ve been working on in the last months.”
R3hab’s love story with the Kingdom does not end there. He shot a music video for his track “Run Till Dark” at the historic city of AlUla.
“The ‘Run Till Dark’ shoot was exceptional. AlUla has so much history and we shot in some amazing locations. One that I won’t forget is Gharameel — this is a stunning desert reserve with beautiful natural stone pillars unlike anywhere else in the world. We were lucky to be the first film featuring this incredible site,” he said.
Last month, R3hab released two singles, each a collaborative effort.
On his track “Gozalo” with Deorro, he said: “It’s been 10 years since Deorro and I produced our hit ‘Flashlight.’ We thought it’s time to get in the studio together again and combine his Latin influence with my energetic vision.”
And on his more recent release, “All Night,” a collaboration with Sophie and the Giants, he praised the artist’s vocal talent and shed light on the track’s pop influences.
“Sophie’s voice stands out and I wanted to work with her on a record since I heard ‘Hypnotized.’ ‘All Night’ is a party anthem to keep us all dancing towards the end of the summer, it has a retro influence with a dance-pop touch.”
The second half of the year has been as busy as the first for the jet-setting producer with appearances at Dreambeach Festival (Spain), WKND Festival (Finland), Unseen Festival (Thailand), Smukfest (Denmark), Ministry of Sound (UK), Mysteryland (The Netherlands), EDC China and the Mega DJ Festival (South Korea).
“Touring can get very intense, so I take special care to recover, exercise and eat well on tour. The motivation is simple — the people. Connecting with the crowd every time I go on stage is a very rewarding feeling and my main drive,” he said.
Chinese art exhibition highlights parallels with Arab culture
Titled The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow, the exhibition hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission features work from more than 30 artists
Curated by Martina Koppel Yang, the exhibition focuses on two elements shared by Arab and Chinese cultures: calligraphy and the garden
Updated 30 September 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: A new art exhibition exploring parallels between Chinese and Arab cultures has opened at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art.
Titled “The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow,” the exhibition hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission features work from more than 30 artists.
Curated by Martina Koppel Yang, the exhibition focuses on two elements shared by Arab and Chinese cultures: calligraphy and the garden.
Both cultures regard calligraphy as a significant cultural and spiritual practice, elevating the written word beyond mere communication.
Ibrahim Al-Sanousi, acting CEO of the Museums Commission, emphasized the art museum’s role as a venue for temporary rotating exhibitions rather than a collecting museum. “We aim to integrate contemporary art into everyday life,” he said.
“This exhibition, focused on Chinese artists, is the beginning of a series of collaborations with countries worldwide, aimed at fostering cross-cultural dialogue and international exchange,” he told Arab News.
Artist Dexi Tian shared insights about his creative process, highlighting how he incorporates elements of Saudi culture into his work.
“I use discarded objects that I find during my explorations of the city and desert, reassembling them into new creations that reflect this culture,” he explained.
Wang Du, a Chinese artist residing in France, also spoke about his artwork, saying: “My work doesn’t have a direct connection to Chinese culture; instead, it addresses contemporary media and its impact on society.
“The sculpture you see is made from crumpled newspapers. It symbolizes how we consume news and information in our modern world. Each day, we receive a newspaper, only to crumple it up and toss it aside. This act reflects our habits — while we consume news, it also consumes us in return.”
Wang emphasized the notion of a “throwaway reality,” highlighting how easily we discard information. “Most news is fleeting, and this piece serves as a monument to that short-lived nature of news,” he explained.
The exhibition also explores the connection between the discipline of calligraphy and the natural order found in gardens. In both cultures, gardens are seen as representations of creation — spaces designed for beauty, spirituality, contemplation, and community.
“The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow” also conveys aspirations for future dialogues and possibilities, addressing themes of energy flow and synergy. In this context, writing is viewed as a meaningful act of participation and communication.
The exhibition features a thoughtfully designed scenography by Studio GGSV, guiding visitors through thematic stages that explore the dynamics of presence and absence, action and contemplation, memory and imagination.
Visitors will have the chance to view pieces from prominent collections of contemporary Chinese art, such as the Donnersberg Collection and the Dslcollection, alongside site-specific works created in Saudi Arabia.
Notably, the exhibition includes works from French-Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed and Taiwanese artist Michael Lin, both of whom are exhibiting in Saudi Arabia for the first time.
“The Writings of Today Are a Promise for Tomorrow” highlights the ongoing evolution of contemporary art, reflecting cultural energy and bridging the past with the future, embodying the promise of what lies ahead.
The exhibition will run until Jan. 18, 2025, and tickets are available at https://webook.com/en/events/chinese-contemporary-art-exhibition.
Cultural Week in Greece showcases rich Saudi heritage
Program included various events and cultural and artistic activities that showcased the rich Saudi culture across different creative industries
Libraries Commission showcased rare Arabic and Islamic manuscripts, demonstrating the beauty of Arabic calligraphy to visitors
Updated 30 September 2024
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: The Saudi Cultural Week was held from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 in the Greek capital, Athens by the Ministry of Culture to familiarize visitors with Saudi traditions and customs.
The program included various events and cultural and artistic activities that showcased the rich Saudi culture across different creative industries.
Abdulrahman Almutawa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, told Arab News that the Culinary Arts Commission also participated to introduce traditional Saudi dishes and Saudi coffee to visitors, highlighting the authenticity and hospitality of the Saudi community.
The participation aimed to introduce Saudi culture and heritage to the international community.
The Libraries Commission showcased rare Arabic and Islamic manuscripts, demonstrating the beauty of Arabic calligraphy to visitors.
Its participation was in cooperation with the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy Initiative, with Saudi calligraphers showcasing their creativity in calligraphy and inscriptions that reflect the beauty of the art form.
The Fashion Commission displayed traditional Saudi clothes, presented an exhibition that reflected the creativity of Saudi designers in fashion, introduced Saudi fashion and its diverse aesthetics, and screened Saudi short films.
The Music Commission presented performances by Saudi musicians using traditional musical instruments, while the Theater and Performing Arts Commission featured various traditional performances from different regions of the Kingdom.
The Heritage Commission set up an archeological tent for visitors to learn about Saudi cultural heritage, treasures, and prominent traditional games in the Kingdom.
The Culinary Arts Commission provided a live cooking demonstration to prepare the Kingdom's most famous traditional dishes, featuring Saudi food products.
Almutawa indicated that a pavilion was dedicated to the Year of the Camel initiative, which aimed to highlight the importance of camels and introduce visitors to their historical and cultural role in Arab and Saudi heritage.
REVIEW: ‘His Three Daughters’ is a gloriously bumpy ride
Though it starts off on the pretentious side, this New York City-set drama comes good in the end
Updated 28 September 2024
Matt Ross
LONDON: Viewers beware: the first two thirds of Netflix’s “His Three Daughters” is a Very Serious Film full of Very Serious Acting from a trio of Very Gifted Actors.
This tense, claustrophobic family drama tells the story of Katie, Christina and Rachel — played by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne, respectively — who return to the family home to look after their ailing father during his last days, butting heads on everything from groceries to life choices.
And writer-director Azazel Jacobs wants us all to know just how Very Serious it all is — so he has his cast speak and move like very accomplished thespians straight out of a critically lauded stage play.
So we learn all about the three women and their relationships with each other, and their father, from wildly gesticulated one-sided phone conversations, impassioned exposition dumps, and spectacularly articulate jibes they launch at one another.
“His Three Daughters” is on Netflix. (Supplied)
But it is the last third of the movie, when the three women must deal with the inevitable, that this goes from being a Very Serious Film to an actually great one.
Coon, Olsen and Lyonne all lean into the slightly caricatured roles they have established thus far, and all of a sudden, “His Three Daughters” becomes a sweet, heartbreaking, bitterly acerbic and wonderfully nuanced examination of an ever-shifting family dynamic that is more layered and relatable than the first hour of runtime ever hinted at.
Coon and Olsen make for good extremist foils — they sit at differing ends of the sister spectrum, one serious and efficient, the other laidback and irritatingly holistic.
But it is Lyonne’s Rachel who really makes the final act sing, bursting with approachable spikiness and disarming wit, all while visibly trying to keep it together while her world falls apart.
Jacobs has opted to shoot the movie on film, in a real location, both of which give “His Three Daughters” a visceral, lived-in feel that only adds to that sense of claustrophobic, sinking dread that their father’s life is coming to an end.
Forgive this movie its overwrought first hour and settle in for a final act that is as good as anything else that has been released this year.
