Arabology Online: Interview with Jordanian Artist Tamer Al Ahmar (May 2020)

Watch video at https://youtu.be/AdRdwnio0UQ

Stanford Lecturer + Arabology radio host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews Jordanian artist Tamer Al Ahmar who joined us by Zoom, live from Amman (Jordan), on May 11, 2020.

Watch the video below or at this link: https://youtu.be/AdRdwnio0UQ

In this interview, Tamer opens up about his artistic journey, his iconic pieces that pay homage to such Arab singers as Fairuz, Um Kulthum, and Sabah; his solo exhibit in Amman, Jordan (2019); his artistic venture with Jordanian singer Haifa Kama; his recent experience at the Arab Conference at Harvard-(where he helped raise funds for refugees); and his gorgeous new postcard set/series which, in collaboration with Souq Al Hanaa, benefits needy families in Lebanon.

For more about Tamer Al Ahmar: 

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tameralahma... 

2. Facebook: https://facebook.com/tameralahmarart 

3. To purchase Tamer's work: https://society6.com/tameralahmarart 

4. Contact the artist directly at tamer.alahmar@gmail.com 

To purchase Tamer's Eid/Holiday Postcard Set (where all proceeds go to support a family in need in Lebanon), check out Souq Al Hanaa at links below: 

1. Buy through Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/listing/80636313... 

2. Check out Souq Al Hanna on Instagram: https://instagram.com/souq.alhanaa 

To read Dr. Ramzi Salti's previously published articles about Tamer Al Ahmar, including past radio interviews, see below: 

1. "Jordanian Artist Tamer Al Ahmar Revives Cultural Icons in Unique Ways" available at https://www.arabology.org/2017/05/tam... 

2. "Tamer Al Ahmar's Art Exhibition in Jordan a Huge Success" available at https://www.arabology.org/2019/12/tam... 

To listen to Dr. Ramzi's Salti's previous radio interviews with Tamer Al Ahmar: 

1. "Interview with Tamer Al Ahmar aka the Arab Andy Warhol" available at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/tame... 

2. Radio Promo for Tamer Al Ahmar's Exhibition in Jordan (December 7-31, 2019): https://soundcloud.com/arabology/tame...

Artist Talk at Stanford: Jordanian American Artist Ridikkuluz Interviewed by Dr. Ramzi Salti

Video at https://youtu.be/WA5wTeaEaAs

Jordanian American artist Ridikkuluz recently wowed Stanford University by giving an impressive  audio visual talk (by Zoom) in which he focused on his Arabic iconography pieces--ranging from Fairuz and Umm Kulthum to the King and Queen of Jordan. The talk, which took place on April 27, 2020, was by special invitation from Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti and attracted a diverse, global audience including Stanford students, faculty, and artists in/from the Arab world who rallied together in support of the young artist whose groundbreaking work served as a way to connect communities by broaching issues related to Arab identity, Arab American art, gender, marginalization and postcoloniality.

The talk--which included a stunning PowerPoint presentation by the artist--was followed by a lively Q&A in English and/or Arabic.  Please note that the (edited) video from the talk below now includes English subtitles where needed and that NO STUDENTS APPEAR IN THIS VERSION.

For more on Ridikkuluz, see his website at ridikkuluz.com and/or follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

Watch the edited version of the talk below or at https://youtu.be/WA5wTeaEaAs

Although Ridikkuluz has amassed a diverse body of work through the years, this talked specifically focused on his "Arabic Iconography" oeuvre including his series on cultural icons and Western (mis)representations of the Other.  

Ridikkuluz with his piece titled "Stop Staring" ©Ridikkuluz

The King and Queen of Jordan ©Ridikkuluz

Ridikkuluz poses with his renowned piece featuring Arabic cultural icons
©Ridikkuluz 

ABOUT THE ARTIST (see https://ridikkuluz.com)

RIDIKKULUZ (ᴘʀᴏɴᴜɴᴄɪᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : “ridiculous”/ʀɨˈᴅɪᴋəʟəᴢ/ ʀɪ-ᴅɪᴋ-ə-ʟəᴢ) b. 1994 is a New York-based, Jordanian fine artist working in painting, sculpture and video. His work encompasses identity, duality and intense emotion all while bridging the gap between Western and Arab culture. Using a surrealistic context infused with an urban influence, his provocative portraiture projects the vulnerability of the artist’s insecurities. Through his artistry, he inverts the systemic equation of counterfeit-confidence and privilege amounting to success with transparent diligence and the beauty of weakness. RIDIKKULUZ attempts to build a space of simplicity where the complex cultural symbolism of his objects and figures can have the same weight of paintings that appeals to the upper echelon of society.The Rowaq al Balqa foundation in Jordan gave him an artistic premise early on; he furthered his studies abroad in France, Spain and Italy. RIDIKKULUZ’s work has since been featured in the music videos of Lupe Fiasco and Kiing Sky. In 2018, He was interviewed by Amman Radio for his depiction of the Royal King and Queen in Jordan. Press features include The Journal News, Aziz Art Magazine, the Daily 49er, Hors Centre: French Embassy & Queens College Newsletter and most recently in Arts Westchester Magazine. RIDIKKULUZ has exhibited in Westchester, New York City and Jordan.

ARTISTS WHO ATTENDED RIDIKKULUZ'S STANFORD TALK

Watch video at https://youtu.be/WA5wTeaEaAs

This Stanford talk by Ridikkuluz attracted a diverse global audience, ranging from such distinguished Stanford faculty members as Thouraya Boumehdi to such Arab artists as Sadouf, digital artist Tamer Al Ahmar (see Tamer Al Ahmar Art), Fares Rizk, and even a shoutout by Jordanian icon Rania Kurdi of The Rania Show).

FOR MORE ON RIDIKKULUZ:

• Website at ridikkuluz.com 
• Follow on Instagram 
• Follow on Facebook.

Rania Kurdi Returns with New Season of "The Rania Show" by Zoom

Rania Kurdi's new show, titled Ma3ZOOM, available on her YouTube Channel

Rania Kurdi is back with a new season of The Rania Show called Ma3ZOOM which she is making available via her YouTube Channel. Starting on April 24, 2020--and for the entire month of Ramadan--she will be releasing a new episode every night at 8:30 pm (Amman time) where she will resurrect her iconic characters who are funnier than ever! Watch trailer below or at https://youtu.be/P27rJc70g6c

The premise behind this season's episodes is that each of her beloved 5 characters--Um Rami, Ola, Ghalia, Arwa, and Sasha--will be attempting to learn a new skill via Zoom by hiring real life experts from various fields--from sports to learning English.  

The playlist includes all the episodes that have aired thus far and is being consistently updated; click on the icon to the top right of the screen below to watch all episodes in succession.

• Rania Kurdi on Instagram: instagram.com/kurdirania
• Rania Kurdi's YouTube Channel: youtube.com/user/RaniaKurdiOFFICIAL

مع زووم - برنامج جديد ل رانيا الكردي في شهر رمضان المبارك ٢٠٢٠

يوميا الساعة ٨:٣٠ مساءً بتوقيت عمّان
كل أسبوع رح يكون مع رانيا ضيفة/ضيف على تطبيق زوم. الضيوف رح يدربوا كل شخصية من شخصيات رانيا شو على مهارة معينة

Shi'rap - Al-Shuqshuqieh شعراب - الشقشقية

https://soundcloud.com/she3rap/oizmmrbdl4bh

تشمل هذه الاغنية قصيدة بصوت الشاعر احمد مطر

Stanford Commemorates the Life and Works of Lebanese Poet Jawdat Haydar

Some of the event attendees - Photo by Tadashi Moriguchi

A memorable event commemorating the life and works of Lebanese poet Jawdat Haydar took place at Stanford University on February 27, 2020 and included remarks and speeches by Dr. Khalid Obeid, Rima Makdisi, Dr. Alexander Key, Dr. Rula Yazigy, Dr. Ramzi Salti and Mr. Ed Shiner. 

The video segment below features Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti reading some of the Jawdat Haydar's own words (in Arabic) and reciting 3 of Haydar's poems (in English): "To A Friend" and "Lebanon" and "Mahatma Gandhi" (taken from the book 101 Selected Poems by Jawdat Haydar, Vantage Press, New York, 2006). This excerpt includes main video footage by Tadashi Moriguchi and close up video footage by Thoraya B. Edited by Ramzi Salti.  Watch below or at https://youtu.be/_FJ4y2q3fgI

Below are some photos from the event which was filmed in its entirety and and will be available soon elsewhere. 

Mr Ed Shiner

Dr. Ramzi Salti

Dr. Rula Yazigy

Dr. Khalid Obeid

Dr. Alexander Key

Below are some of poet Jawdat Haydar's works which were recited and read during the event:

حاتم شاهين يتحدث عن قصة نجاح صالونه المميز في عمان - الاردن Hatem Shaheen Talks about the Success of his Jordanian chain of Hair Salons for Men

Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/dwnjmbwuoqga

يمكنكم الاستماع الى قصة نجاح حانم شاهين عبر الرابط التالي

Listen to Hatem Shaheen's journey below or at 

https://soundcloud.com/arabology/dwnjmbwuoqga

سُجّل هذا الحوار في شهر ديسمبر 2019 في عمان - الاردن
Recorded in Amman, Jordan in December 2019

حاتم شاهين يتحدث عن قصة نجاح صالونه المميز في عمان - الاردن
Hatem Shaheen, owner of one of Amman's finest hair Salons for men, speaks about his journey to success.

Watch video below or at https://www.facebook.com/shahinsalon/videos/1746904252033524/




For more info للمزيد من المعلومات :
hatemshaheensalon.com
www.facebook.com/shahinsalon

Arabology Interviews Yusor Hamed (2019)

Stanford Lecturer + Arabology radio host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews singer/songwriter/producer Yusor Hamed about her artistic journey + musical career. Features live A cappella + piano performance by Yusor.

Listen to the interview below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/yusor

Interview includes the following songs:
1. Lma Tkoni Hadi - لما تكوني حدي
2. Wa7di Bemshi - وحدي بمشي (produced during BalaFeesh Female Music Production with Zeid Hamdan & Khaled Nimry)
3. Yusor x The Synaptik Sholi Jarali - يسر و السينابتك شو الي جرالي
4. Khayfeh min bokra(ft. Majda Asad) خايفة من بكرا

Watch this special video of Yusor playing an impromptu segment from وحدي بمشي below or at https://youtu.be/apZxR95oxfA

Listen to the interview at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/yusor

Check out Yusor on Soundcloud: @yusor-n-hamed

Tamer Al Ahmar's Art Exhibition in Jordan a Huge Success

Tamer Al Ahmar at his first solo exhibit in Amman, Jordan (December 2019)

When Arabology radio host Dr Ramzi Salti first interviewed Jordanian artist Tamer Al Ahmar back in August 2018, the renowned digital artist's work was beginning to making a lasting impact on the artistic scene all around Amman. Since then, his unique digital ouevre--which has constantly aimed at re-imagining various cultural icons from Fairuz to Marilyn Monroe--has continued to take off in Jordan and beyond, including an invitation to showcase his work at Annual Arab Conference at Harvard University in March and a groundbreaking collaboration with Jordanian singer Haifa Kamal who hired Tamer to design the cover art of her new album.  

The success of Tamer's work--a result of almost a decade of artistic expression--has now culminated in his first solo exhibition “Lessa Faker” which is taking place at Jacaranda Images in Amman from December 7-31, 2019 .  The exhibit enables anyone to both view and order all of the artist's design which he has made available as high quality prints and in different sizes--including the framed prints that are currently on display.

Here is a radio promo for the exhibition which aired on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) and includes personal message from the artist himself.  More exhibit info at this link:

Here are some recent pictures of Dr. Ramzi Salti's visit to Tamer Al Ahmar's exhibit where he was greeted by the artist himself who graciously signed some of his prints and promotional material.

The exhibit is taking place from December 7-31, 2019 in Amman at Jacaranda Images, located at 18 Omar Bin Khattab St, next to book@cafe, First Circle, Jabal Amman, Amman, Jordan.  The event is free and open to the public.

You can also check out this audio-visual interview with Tamer Al Ahmar (in Arabic) courtesy of  MazajFM below or at https://youtu.be/KP17F4rWR7c

Read Arabology's previous article about Tamer Al Ahmar at https://www.arabology.org/2017/05/tameralahmar.html

You can listen to Arabology's August 2018 radio interview with Tamer Al Ahmat below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/tameralahmar2

For more about the artist:
https://www.instagram.com/tameralahmarart/
facebook.com/tameralahmarart

To purchase Tamer's work see society6.com/tameralahmarart or contact the artist directly at tamer.alahmar@gmail.com

معرض " لسه فاكر" للرسم الرقمي للفنان تامر الأحمرمستمر لنهاية الشهر في جاكاراندا اميجيز جبل عمان

Arabology Interviews Jordanian Author Hazem Tabbaa

Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/hazemtabbaa

Stanford Lecturer + Arabology radio host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews Hazem Tabbaa, a Jordanian author who discusses his debut novel A Place for Peace as well as his latest work Four Steps Behind which takes a closer look at societies’ perceptions of women and was loosely based on his maternal grandmother’s journey from Berlin to Amman.

Listen to the interview below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/hazemtabbaa

The interview includes an excerpt from each book, read by the author himself.

Recorded in Amman, Jordan in August 2019 and aired on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) in November 2019.

Hazem Tabbaa's books are available through his website at www.hazemtabbaa.com or on Amazon (Kindle and/or Paperback) at THIS LINK.

PROMO VIDEOS:

Arabology Interviews 'The Arab Sinatra' Omar Kamal (November 2019)

Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/omarkamal2019

Stanford Lecturer + Arabology Radio Host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews 'The Arab Sinatra' Omar Kamal about his new album "Show Me the Light" as well his upcoming show at the Aldwych Theatre in London on 24th November (supported by Abu Dhabi Festival). Tickets at www.nederlander.co.uk/whats-on/omar-kamal

Listen below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/omarkamal2019

This interview includes the following song excerpts from Omar Kamal's new album "Show Me The Light" ℗© 2019 Estuana Records:

1. Ya Ana Ya Ana (3:32)
2. Wicked Dreams (9:36)
3. Atyaf El Leil (15:01)
4. Um Kulthoum Swings (22:53)

Arabology Interviews Jordanian Indie-Rock Band Ayloul

Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/ayloul

This interview recorded in Amman, Jordan on August 31, 2019 and aired on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) on November 17, 2019.

Stanford Lecturer + Arabology radio host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews Ayloul band members Ra'ad Tabari and Yosour Al-Zou'bi about their groundbreaking new album "Salute to Al-Ghor" سلّم عالغور and the band's musical journey through the years.

Listen below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/ayloul

Interview includes these song excerpts:
1. Nazel Al Ghor نازل عالغور at 0:00-1:26
2. Lahn Baseet لحن بسيط at 5:59-7:34
3. Yawm يوم at 9:24-10:24
4. Bahr Mayyet بحر ميت at 13:19-15:04
5. Mawj موج (Ft Mohammad Abdullah) at 20:43-23:41

Ayloul in Copenhagen

Ayloul - meaning "September" - is a Jordanian band formed in 2013, with members from Irbid. They're known for mixing indie-rock sounds with traditional Arabic ones to form a unique, dynamic style. Their lyrics communicate their take on social-political issues occurring around the region.

Band Members:
- Lead guitar/ Vocal : Ra'ed Al-Tabari
- Guitar/ Vocal : Mounif Zghoul
- Keyboard : Ma'in Mheidat
- Violin : Yosour Al Zou'bi
- Bass Guitar : Abdel Fattah Terawee
- Drums: Hayyan Juqqa
For more info about Ayloul:
Website: ayloulband.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/AyloulBand
Instagram: www.instagram.com/AyloulBand
Soundcloud: @ayloul
Support the band: umusicmena.lnk.to/SalutetoAlGhorAyloul

Slides from Dr. Ramzi Salti's Talk about Lebanon at Stanford

Here are the video highlights + slides accompanying Dr. Ramzi Salti's talk about Lebanon which took place at the Markaz (Stanford University) on November 5, 2019 at 5:30pm.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Watch video highlights from this talk below or at https://youtu.be/R-0_JSc9gyc



SLIDES FROM TALK





PICS FROM EVENT:

  

Ramzi Salti's Talk About Indie Arabic Music at Sijal (in English) Available

In this audio-visual lecture (recorded at Sijal Institute in Jordan in July 2019), Stanford Lecturer + Arabology radio host Dr. Ramzi Salti talks about the many ways in which the revolutionary music of the Arab Spring continues to fuel a new generation of artists and musicians--from Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya to Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.  This video also includes a segment on Palestinian musicians who are creating new musical genres that aim at a better tomorrow.  Video concludes with extensive Q&A session.  Artwork by Jordanian artist Tamer Al Ahmar.

Watch the video below or at https://youtu.be/F5FeL3KssuA



This talk was meant to go along with THIS YOUTUBE PLAYLIST.

This talk spotlights the following segments (chronologically):

01. Katy Whiting Intro (0:00)
02. Ramzi Salti: Intro (02:13)
03. El General (Tunisia) (07:09)
04. Emel Mathlouthi (Tunisia) (11:27)
05. Ramy Essam (Egypt) (15:35)
06. Cairokee (Egypt) (21:20)
07. Ibn Thabit (Libya) (25:38)
08. Mashrou' Leila (Lebanon) (28:57)
09. Zeid Hamdan and Maryam Saleh (Lebanon + Egypt) (37:35)
10. Tania Saleh (Lebanon) (39:44)
11. Omar Offendum (Syria) (43:35)
12. DAM (Palestine) (45:56)
13. Jadal and Autostrad (Jordan) (51:26)
14.  Q & A Session (55:36) featuring questions about Mashrou' Leila (55:59), El General (58:52), 47Soul + El Far3i (1:04:00), Fairuz (1:04:56), Dalida (1:06:06) , and even Olivia Newton-John (1:06:23).

This talk was meant to go along with this playlist:

Ramzi's Salti's PowerPoint Presentation: Music of the Arab Spring (English)

Dr. Ramzi Salti's PowerPoint Presentation about the Music of the Arab Spring (with embedded videos). Artwork by Jordanian artist Tamer Al-Ahmar.

• Click on arrows at bottom left of each image to move forward/backward.
• Click on icon on the bottom to enlarge/full screen.

 

Weekly Night Class in Introductory Arabic at Stanford (Starts September 25, 2019)

To register: https://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/liberal-arts-and-sciences/introductory-arabic/20191_ARB-01

Anyone interested in learning Arabic from scratch is welcome to enroll in my weekly night class which is offered via Stanford Continuing Studies starting on Wednesday Sept 25 at 7 pm. No prior knowledge of the language required. More info at this link:

https://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/liberal-arts-and-sciences/introductory-arabic/20191_ARB-01