Unfurling the world of Arab culture via innovative digital technologies
In the ethereal realm of digital dreamscapes, the arts world is reinventing itself in a most rapturous way. Embracing the whirlwind revolutions of technological advancements, imaginative artists and cultural content creators are engaging in artistic landscapes of expression, weaving the unique narratives of the Arab world in a luring way that transcends the boundaries of the physical world. Within this evolving expanse, the fusion of the arts and technology unveils the limitless possibilities of human creative expression.
In today’s world, arts enthusiasts are able to enjoy a plethora of cultural experiences available digitally. Across various domains, the arts have embraced the digital revolution and with just a tap of a mobile phone or laptop, individuals can enjoy virtual museum tours, online art galleries, opera performances, digital books, podcasts, audiobooks, livestream concerts, and much more. Additionally, artists and cultural content creators are engaging with their audiences through live group classes, podcasts, and blogs. These immersive experiences enable users to appreciate the bedazzling Arab arts world anywhere, anytime.
Online streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Shahid, have transformed cultural content consumption; providing access to films, documentaries, and television shows to global audiences who are besotted with the Arab culture. Similarly, digital music production and distribution have revolutionized the music industry, empowering Arab artists to create, produce, and distribute music seamlessly through platforms like YouTube, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
The dissolution of boundaries in accessing cultural treasures offers numerous benefits in many ways. Digitization efforts preserve the creative repositories since time immemorial, ensuring the safeguarding and appreciation of cultural legacies. Unrestricted by physical proximity, audiences can immerse themselves in cherished collections through online exhibitions, virtual tours, and interactive storytelling experiences.
Moreover, digitization enhances access for academics and educators engaged in regular teaching, research, and publication endeavors. This facilitates knowledge exchange among cultural institutions and experts, fostering discussions on cultural insights and research findings. Digitization also aids in the preservation of delicate items and serves as backups in case of accidents or natural disasters; thereby reducing the need for physical handling. Educational resources also cater to teachers, students, and lifelong learners.
Virtual museums, art galleries, and opera houses are shifting conversations and engagement in the exploration of cultural masterpieces online. Uniquely, these platforms offer immersive experiences reminiscent of traditional venues. Curating online exhibitions from diverse collections globally, they present themed showcases that cater to varied interests throughout the year. Users navigate virtual spaces, exploring the virtual exhibition galleries, zooming in on creations, and reading their detailed descriptions. Vitally, digitization enables cultural institutions to attract visitors interested in exploring a country’s rich history and unique cultural treasures, consequently generating economic opportunities for local communities.
Numerous renowned opera houses worldwide have embraced the trend of streaming their acclaimed performances online at no cost. Institutions like the Dubai Opera in the UAE, the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Opéra National de Paris are among those sharing productions with global audiences via their digital platforms. For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, opera lovers have enjoyed the live streaming of musical performances by luminaries via the YouTube channel of Dubai Opera. One of the most spellbinding performances available for viewing is by the Arabic fusion guitarist Kamal Musallam, whose performance is part reminiscent of magical Arabian tales, as the guitarist’s fingertips interlace elements of flamenco, jazz, and rock into dazzling improvisations – inviting listeners to stolen moments of beauty, escapade, and expression.
Another video showcasing Syrian violinist Mohamad Hamami, clad in elegant attire, is equally riveting and evocative of the poetry of Arabian nights and the spirit of the region’s resplendent heritage. With masterful strokes of the bow, the trailing music ebbs and flows with sheer sublimity and passion.
On the other hand, the Vienna State Opera has delighted opera enthusiasts with complimentary streams of beloved classics such as “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, “Madame Butterfly”, and “The Elixir of Love”. A touch of magic has also been cast on children with special opera programs featuring productions like “The Magic Flute”, “Cinderella”, and “Hansel and Gretel”. Additionally, the Royal Opera House in London offers free children’s classes encompassing dramatic singing, arts and crafts for theater stages, and the recreation of ballet movements from renowned performances like “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Nutcracker”. Meanwhile, New York City’s Metropolitan Opera’s website features short opera guides for newcomers and an array of synopses, articles, podcasts, and interviews ruminating their exquisite masterpieces.
The Theatre of Digital Art in Dubai stands as a cutting-edge innovation, joining a global movement towards the utilization of digital technologies for artistic expression. A number of surreal shows are on offer, including “From Monet to Kadinsky”, which brings to life the celebrated works of famous artists – Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Edvard Munch, Paul Cézanne, Robert Delaunay, and Paul Klee, and Wassily Kandinsky – in a fluid, magical manner along with a curated playlist that makes the show ever more whimsical. From Claude Monet’s mesmerizing “The Water-Lily Pond”, “Woman with a Parasol”, and other botanical paintings that evoke sheer awe to Vincent van Gogh’s ethereal masterpiece, “The Starry Night”, which captures one’s imagination with its dramatic blue and yellow strokes; transporting visitors to scenes of pastoral bliss in Provence and filling the theater with the exuberance of sunflowers.
In collaboration with Andakulova Gallery, the theatre is also delighting visitors with a special exhibition featuring the vibrant artistry of Timur Akhmedov and Alfiz Sabirov — a dynamic duo comprising a painter and a sculptor who draw inspiration from the depths of reveries and childhood recollections, interweaving many universal themes. Timur Akhmedov is a master of vibrant hues and his ravishing brushstrokes celebrate the golden sunbeams and vivacity of colors. Through his surreal and dream-like portrayals, he conveys narratives sprinkled with a touch of magic. Meanwhile, Alfiz Sabirov, offers a fresh lens into the realm of mythology. Rich in symbolism, adorned with intricate details, and bursting with vibrant colors and captivating forms, their collaborative works invite audiences on a transcendent journey into the boundless world of dreams.
Google Arts & Culture continues to lure culture enthusiasts as a bewitching haven where they can explore artistic collections from more than 2,000 premier museums all within a single online platform. The constellation of museums dotted on the world map is a perfect invitation to welcome the sophisticates and aesthetes of society to delve into this surreal world.
This artistic wonderland allows visitors to view high-resolution photos and videos of the collections, featuring the innovative Art Camera functionality. This unique feature offers special tours of paintings, enabling art enthusiasts to zoom into cherished artworks while perusing essential commentaries. Additionally, the platform has a collection of captivating editorial pieces covering prominent artists, artistic movements, and thematic explorations.
Families with children can enjoy entertaining online games, coloring book activities, crosswords, and trivia; making it an indulgent afternoon of creative exploration and cultural learning.
This artful project keeps adding even more jewels to its crown; catapulting leading Arab museums into the global limelight. In the UAE, the collections of the National Library and Archives of the United Arab Emirates, the Etihad Museum, and the Al Shindagha Museum serve as sanctuaries for the preserving the cultural heritage of the country and are the best way for people to appreciate the evolution of culture.
Another shining example is the website of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which includes digital guides on artworks, arts and crafts ideas, and musical playlists to transport one to another world. The “On Show” podcast series produced by the museum is where passionate experts explore the museum galleries and exhibitions, with each episode offering a unique journey, unveiling the captivating stories behind the museum’s exhibitions, galleries, and masterpieces. Visitors can also attend online masterclasses by Emirati artists on papermaking, pottery, and portraiture.
As we turn our gaze to the wider region, a number of creative institutions are making waves right now. The Museum of Islamic Art is a sanctuary for masterpieces of Islamic art spanning metalwork, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, and glass. These treasures, sourced from three continents, date from the 7th to the 19th century, offering a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and artistic excellence. The Rare Books and Special Collections Library at the American University in Cairo is home to a glitzy and glamorous array of collections featuring the works of prominent Egyptian artists, photographers, and architects. Its mission involves the collection, preservation, and distribution of primary sources related to the culture and society of Egypt and the broader Middle East, encompassing both physical artifacts and digital archives.
Based in Beirut, the arts collections under the Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation is a visual treat bursting with vibrant colors, sheer imagination, and creative expression. On the other hand, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is home to an extensive array of ancient Egyptian artefacts, among them the renowned treasures of Tutankhamun. In their online collection, visitors can marvel at some of the most iconic artefacts, while also delving into rich historical narratives and profound insights into their cultural significance. It offers an immersive digital platform that brings the wonders of ancient Egypt to life, allowing enthusiasts worldwide to engage with these extraordinary treasures.
With greater collections being digitized, cultural institutions have sizable marketable contents to share with eager global audiences – fostering greater awareness, engagement, and appreciation of cultural treasures from the Arab world. To grow their outreach, regional institutions can regularly create virtual exhibitions that highlight specific themes or epochs, allowing viewers to delve into a fascinating array of curated experiences anywhere in the world.
Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest digital libraries, incepted in 1971 by Michael Hart, who also invented eBooks. Its abundant collection of over 70,000 free eBooks can enthrall any literary lover with its expansive coverage of the classics, children’s books, fiction, history, and crime. For bibliophiles who would like to delve into literary classics, the site includes titles such as The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and The Arabian Nights.
Arabic Collections Online is an impressive digital library featuring public domain Arabic language content reflecting the diverse Arabic language collections of the participating institutions. This ambitious project was led by NYU Abu Dhabi and supported by several benefactors. Its abundant collection of 17,699 volumes covering 10,473 subjects sourced from esteemed research libraries makes it an ideal resource for bibliophiles. These collections encompass voices from the diverse tapestry of the Arab world, infusing groundbreaking thoughts on a wide array of disciplines, including literature, business, and science. Its digital bookshelf includes collections that go back as far as 1836, with fascinating titles to pique one’s interests.
In tandem, the Library of Arabic Literature offers Arabic editions and English translations of seminal Arabic literary works spanning from the seventh to the nineteenth centuries. It encompasses a wide variety of genres, including poetry, fiction, philosophy, religion, law, science, history, and more, from the pre-Islamic era to the modern period. The Library of Arabic Literature is generously supported by Tamkeen through the NYU Abu Dhabi Research Institute Award G1003 and is published by NYU Press.
One of their alluring titles is “Love, Death, Fame: Poetry and Lore from the Emirati Oral Tradition”, which celebrates the poetry of Al-Mayidi ibn Ẓahir, who resided in the region that is now the United Arab Emirates. Set in the seventeenth century UAE, the tales within the collection depict him as an eloquent poet, bringing to life vivid scenes of desert life, seafaring, palm trees, and pearl diving to express his timeless wisdom, with a whiff of romance. As a prime example of Nabati poetry, this collection offers exquisite insights into life in the UAE region four centuries ago.
Another riveting read available on the platform is “What ʿĪsā ibn Hishām Told Us”, penned by Egyptian journalist Muḥammad al-Muwayliḥī in the early twentieth century, which emerged as a pioneering work serialized in Miṣbāḥ al-Sharq (Light of the East) before its 1907 book publication. Widely acclaimed for its erudition and witty humor, the book quickly became essential reading for Egypt’s burgeoning readership and subsequent generations of students, bridging classical genres with modern Arabic fiction. Divided into two parts, the narrative follows ʿĪsā ibn Hishām and his companion, the Pasha, whilst they navigate Cairo’s rapid westernization in the first half, while critiquing European society and imperialism during a visit to the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris in the second part. The book paves the way for the modern Arabic novel and offers valuable insights into colonial Egypt and Arabic literary history.
The Abu Dhabi Children’s Library is a wonderland of delightful books. It has reimagined the role of public libraries in engaging with citizens by embracing the digital realm and offering a vast collection of free children’s books online. A simple search for children’s books unveils a plethora of beautifully illustrated books readily available online, encouraging parents to share the joy of storytelling with their children from the comfort of home. Among their tailored endeavors is the launch of “Scholastic GO!®”, which showcases a wide array of core-curriculum topics, allowing users to delve into non-fiction literature, global newspapers, videos, and additional resources effortlessly through this user-friendly digital platform. Additionally, the children’s library has curated concise, interactive sessions aimed at nurturing literacy, learning, and creative thinking. The video library showcases captivating content such as “Storytime”, “Baby & Me”, “Tinker Tots & Maker Mums”, designed for families to enjoy together.
Since time immemorial, Arab storytellers and poets have mesmerized audiences with their eloquence, weaving magnificent tales and poems through the mastery of oration. In today’s fast-paced era, literature enthusiasts are captivated by the allure of engaging audiobooks, promising unforgettable experiences. With limited time for traditional reading, audiobooks offer a convenient alternative, seamlessly integrating into activities like exercising, commuting, or household chores with delightful ease.
Digital storytelling and narrative experiences offer new avenues for creative expression through platforms like podcasts, audiobook publishing, and interactive fiction; fostering participatory storytelling and audience engagement. Storytel stands as one of the globe’s largest subscribed audiobook and e-book streaming platforms, providing access to an impressive one million titles in over 30 languages. With its user-friendly platform, Storytel allows subscribers to access a wide range of literary content, including bestsellers, classics, self-help books, and more – catering to various genres and categories that appeal to different audiences. The service is available through web browsers and mobile apps, making it convenient for users to listen to or read their favorite books anytime, anywhere. Noteworthy titles include “Granada” by Radwa Ashour, “Celestial Bodies” by Jokha Alharthi, and “The Scents of Marie-Claire” by Habib Selmi.
One of the trendiest podcast channels is “afikra”, which is a global media and educational hub that has become the vanguard of exploration, intellect, and cultural appreciation within the Arab world. The team is passionate about conveying the intricate histories and dynamic cultures of the Arab region, aiming to reshape prevailing narratives through educational initiatives, media endeavors, and active community involvement. Its captivating digital library is curated with intellectually stimulating content, offering a beautiful tapestry of diverse voices and engaging narratives that delve into the richness of Arab culture and history. Episodes include discussions revolving around filmmaking and identity, Arabic culinary arts, Arabic music in the digital age, Arabic percussion, Arab fashion, Islamic art, contemporary Arab art, and talks with Arab authors.
On that note, the Dubai Press Club launched the ‘Arab Podcasters’ program at Dubai PodFest 2022 to boost the podcasting industry in the Middle East and North Africa. This initiative addresses technology, capacity building, partnerships, and industry events. In collaboration with the Rising Giants Network, DPC will offer workshops to equip media professionals with technical skills and industry insights, fostering a strong regional and international following.
The rise of virtual communities and online fan bases has also revolutionized the arts and culture sectors, creating a vibrant ecosystem of engagement and interaction. Digital platforms facilitate connections among enthusiasts and artists worldwide, fostering a global network of cultural exchange and appreciation. These communities encourage discussion, collaboration, and shared creativity, enabling exploration of diverse artistic expressions and emerging trends.
Furthermore, social media and digital marketing serve as vital tools for artists and cultural organizations to promote their work, connect with audiences, and build online communities; amplifying cultural events and initiatives globally. Online spaces, ranging from fan forums dedicated to particular artists or genres to social media groups focused on cultural movements and initiatives, offer individuals a platform to connect, share experiences, and cultivate their passion for the arts.
Online fan bases redefine the artist-audience relationship, promoting interactive engagement and fan-driven content creation. Through live streams and interactive posts, artists cultivate intimacy and community, while fans boost support across digital platforms. These communities also advocate for cultural preservation, diversity, and inclusion, making them pivotal forces for creativity and advocacy in the digital age.
Numerous artists are leveraging social media platforms to share their creative journeys and engage broader audiences. Also, artists engage in live streaming sessions, providing behind-the-scenes glimpses into their creative journeys and techniques. To illustrate, the culinary arts account “15smeals” has garnered over 7.5 million followers on Instagram, with each post featuring mouth-watering dishes that reflect cultural heritage, artistic flair, and culinary finesse. Meanwhile, Dubai-based Tabari Artspace is a premier art gallery and uses its Instagram account to promote the works of various Arab artists, such as Lebanese muralist Chafa Ghaddar, Franco-Tunisian contemporary artist Béchir Boussandel, Saudi abstract painter Nasser Al Mulhim, and Kuwaiti painter Alymamah Rashed.
In-house experts at cultural institutions commonly organize online seminars, talks, and events to discuss memorable artefacts or collections, share interesting facts, and encourage audience interaction on multiple social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. On another note, institutions also engage with art enthusiasts, historians, or content creators with a genuine interest in the arts to promote digital museum collections and their virtual events.
With such a spellbinding world unfurling, Arab countries should seize the opportunity to create a prominent digital presence that celebrates the region’s distinctive cultural heritage, whilst pushing the boundaries of artistic creativity and expression.
Published in Shawati Magazine.