Content & Interpretation - Exhibition Design

Content & Interpretation  

CI developed an overall narrative that explores the history and breadth of Arabic calligraphy, with a focus on examples from KSA and Madinah in particular. Exhibits show the applications of the artform in different media from across the Islamic world, including architecture, Qur’ans and metalwork. 

A section on training to be a calligrapher includes interviews with masters and students and interactive exhibits to try the tools of calligraphy. 

The final section on contemporary calligraphy surveys innovative expressions of the artform today, from digital art to graffiti, with flexible cases to display new acquisitions and loans. 

Exhibition Design  

Closely collaborating with ARC (architects) and Simpson & Brown (heritage consultants) to preserve the Ottoman heritage of the former calligraphy school, CI sensitively developed the exhibition design to consider visitor movement within the building, exhibit interaction and materiality and aesthetic to create an engaging visitor experience which is sympathetic to the historic environment. 

We have developed an engaging mix of exhibits for visitors to hear the stories of calligraphy students and teachers, be awed by an immersive experience of Arabic calligraphy in sacred sites around the world, and try the tools and techniques themselves with tactile and digital calligraphy interactives. 

Flexibility has been an integral part of the design development, allowing for easy rotation of sensitive objects, and updating of displays as the centers collection continues to grow. 

Lighting Design: DHA Designs  

Graphic Design: Inspiral Design  

AV Hardware: Creative Technology  

Exhibition Functional Consultant: Mortice Consulting  

Object Mounting Advisor: Plowden and Smith 

Content: Cloud and Culture, Lulwah Al Homoud, Soraya Syed