Friday, June 27; 10am–4pm CT
Explore Arabic typography's rich history and contemporary possibilities in this hands-on, in-person workshop using wood type, plates, and letterpress printing.
Engage with Arabic letterforms' aesthetics, experiment with historical and modern typefaces, and learn essential letterpress techniques, including typesetting, inking, and printing on a Vandercook press.
We’ll begin with a brief introduction to Arabic typographic history, followed by demonstrations on composing text, and printing techniques. Engage in hands-on printing, experimenting with layering, composition, and ink application. We will also explore the creative potential of mixing Arabic and Western typefaces, examining how these scripts interact visually and conceptually in design and print. Group discussions will allow for reflection and critique.
Participants may choose to register for Islam’s Saturday workshop, Stiff-Leaf Binding and Variations, and include prints from this workshop in their binding.
Islam Aly (he/him, Cairo Egypt) is a book artist and a lecturer in Design at Helwan University's College of Art Education. He holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Art Education from Helwan University and earned a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in Art Education from the University of Iowa.
Furthering his passion for book arts, Islam pursued an MFA in Book Arts at the University of Iowa, where he started his approach to integrating historical bookbinding techniques with contemporary digital technologies. His work operates at the intersection of culture, technology, and aesthetics, exploring how traditional bookbinding methods can be reimagined within modern book art practices. Through his artistic practice, he pushes the boundaries of the medium, blending historical craftsmanship with digital innovation to create thought-provoking artist books.
Level: Beginner. No experience is required, but attention to detail and patience with manual processes are beneficial. Participants will create letterpress prints by combining old and new Arabic typefaces with Western typography.
Certificate: 6 hours, Category A, B, or C
Pricing
$180/participant (10% discount for MCBA members) + $25 materials fee
$90 for BIPOC/Financial scholarship participants (10% discount for MCBA members) + $25 materials fee
MCBA offers two scholarship types for workshops—Financial Hardship Scholarships and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Scholarships—to honor equity and increase access and artistic opportunities for those who have historically been underrepresented in the book arts. For individuals to whom these scholarships do not apply, register at the Adult rate and, if you are able, consider making a donation when registering to support MCBA’s efforts to make scholarships available.
