Issue 14-6

Our sequel on the power of language focuses on calligraphy, illegibility and contemporary abstractions by Middle Eastern artists. We feature other language-derived practices, from Fereydoun Ave whose work still bears the influence of Cy Twombly’s marks to Abdulnasser Gharem’s hidden codes and messages and Pop artist Hassan Hajjaj’s graphic branding and distinctive Arabic vocabulary. We speak to 15 artists from the Arab world, Iran and even Japan and trace the rise of the Hurufiyya movement. In addition, we visit Contemporary Istanbul, Frieze London, FIAC and Paris Internationale and visit Fondation Louis Vuitton, which is showing an incredible exhibition pairing Schiele and Basquiat. Palais de Tokyo has given carte blanche to the brilliant mind of Tomás Saraceno and finally we celebrate the opening of Jameel Arts Centre.