Media Majlis Museum inaugurates new exhibition

Media Majlis Museum (mm:museum) at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) has inaugurated its eighth mixed-media exhibition, “The limits of my language are the limits of my world,” exploring the Arabic language, its imprints from the past, its multifaceted present and precarious future.

Curated by cultural producer and NU-Q alumna Amal Zeyad Ali, the exhibition, which will run until December 5, combines art, media, and technology to examine the present representations, historical impacts, and future of the Arabic language.

“By delving into the complexities and evolving influence of Arabic, this exhibition not only celebrates the richness of our cultural heritage but also sparks meaningful dialogue on its future”, said Marwan M Kraidy, dean and CEO of NU-Q.

The exhibition revolves around four key themes. The first one, “Always another side?,” introduces the Arabic language and its complexities. The second theme, “An influential and powerful language?,” explores Arabic's influence as a powerful language that has shaped politics, religion, science, and culture worldwide.

The third theme, “Does media representation matter?,” examines the portrayal of Arabic in contemporary media, questioning how the language is represented and its prominence in a rapidly globalizing, tech-driven world.

The final theme, “Is Arabic a language of the future?,” discusses the future of Arabic, questioning whether current efforts to preserve, protect, and conserve the language are effective and how they can be improved or rethought.

"The exhibition is a bold statement on the critical importance of the Arabic language in our global narrative. This exhibition challenges us to confront the forces that threaten to diminish the richness of Arabic and instead celebrate its enduring influence on culture, politics, and thought,” said Alfredo Cramerotti, director of mm:museum.

Curator Amal Zeyad Ali said: “With this exhibition, I aim to spark meaningful dialogue about these challenges and inspire a renewed appreciation for the beauty, diversity, and resilience of Arabic”.

The exhibition features a range of commissioned artworks and interactive content that explore the richness and evolution of the Arabic language and culture.

The exhibition also features a Takween Mural, a life-size modular magnetic block developed in collaboration with Akwan and designer Lujain Abulfaraj. This set allows visitors of all ages to form Arabic letters and words through play, fostering a deeper connection with the language.

In addition to art pieces, the exhibition also features spoken word performances by Egyptian-Australian poet Salwa Sadek and Palestinian poet Dana Dajani, who explore themes of identity in dialogue with voices of prominent content creators such as Salam Katanani and Qasem Elhato from Jordan, exploring why they create content in Arabic and draw audiences.

A selection of digital content, including music videos, comedy skits from American comedians Maz Jobrani and Mo Amer, animations from the Qatar Foundation, documentaries, and talks from TED and TEDx, are also featured. These were provided by partners Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic, and Al Araby TV, adding a multimedia dimension to the exploration of Arabic language and culture.

The exhibition is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm.