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Alif is the beginning, the first letter of the Arabic alphabet.

Transformation in the Arabic script styles could be observed in the Alif of each script where, with different measures and the vertical elevation of the letter, the signature of the style can be detected.

The Alif acts as the symbol of the script through which the experts can discern the style and type of script.

The line starts with a sequence of dots and moves upward or descends downwards to form a vertical line of the Alif. In turn, the letter morphs into different molds based on the script used. In the earliest manuscripts, the Primary Kufic Alif was short and bold, reflective of the focus on the religious content rather than the visual, then later transformed into an elegant elevated vertical stroke. Alif’s journey from east to west, and from past to present highlights the layers of development.

The artwork focuses on discovering the Kufic Alif and demonstrates the possibility of spawning new styles using the latest media, digital design, and technology.

Nada Abdallah
Speaker

Nada Abdallah

Artist, Designer, Educator, Founder of Bilarabic Design Festival and Director of Meta.motif masterclasses, Holds a Bachelor Degree in Visual Communication from the American University of Sharjah and an MFA from the Lebanese University. Prior to joining University of Sharjah, taught design at the Higher Colleges of Technology, Lebanese University and Lebanese International University. Won several awards in Design and Photography, and sponsored numerous winning students’ projects. Work exhibited in Lebanon, UAE, Greece, Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, KSA, USA and other. Active since the early 1990s, her work and research focus on Arabic Calligraphy and Typography, and prehistoric motif design.

Instagram @nadabdalla

Twitter @NadaHAbdallah