By Tarek Atrissi

“Arabic Graphics: The work of Tarek Atrissi in Exhibition” will be the title of the Graphic and Typographic exhibition opening in Amsterdam on May 2nd, and staying on display until the end of June. The exhibition is hosted by Stichting De Levante, the leading institute in Oriental art and culture in Holland. It will exhibit a selection of our Graphic Design work at Tarek Atrissi Design, often distinguished by a strong Arabic and cross cultural flavor.

Promotional poster for the Exhibition opening in Amsterdam on May 2nd

Needless to say, getting such a recognition here in the Netherlands is very exciting; For long our exposure was- oddly enough- mostly international, and less local. But the last two years in Holland have witnessed a great interest in cross cultural design work which became a reflection of the ever changing multi-cultural society of the Netherlands; and which is considered by many to be the new cosmopolitan face of Dutch Design. More on the exhibition, our preparation for it, and its outcomes to be posted soon on this blog. Meanwhile more on the exhibition can be seen on the expo’s website at www.arabicgraphics.com

By Tarek Atrissi

Preview of different Arabic & Arabesque Patterns from Oman.

The best thing about the Arab world, is that it is a world in itself, and there is always a new place and a new sub-culture to discover within this vast Arab speaking geographic area extending from Morocco to the Gulf. My travels took me to Oman, where I was fascinated by my experience in the city of Muscat. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Visual culture that I first noticed was the beautiful patterns that one can’t miss. In Architecture, in textile, in decoration, in traditional clothing, authentic and rich Arabic and Arabesque patterns are pretty much everywhere.

Photography from the Souk of the city of Muscat

But there is much more to Oman than beautiful patterns: The country has some unique characters that are not typically found in the surrounding Gulf. The landscape is breathtaking and the infrastructure is excellent- making it a rising tourist destination by all means.

And of course, the city of Muscat is rich its own typographic character, inviting me once again to document the typo-graphic street language of the city. A documentation which often comes helpful as a visual reference in many projects we are involved in at Tarek Atrissi Design.

Collected images from the Typographic street landscape of the city of Muscat.