Dr. Noha Farran/ Chief Editor/
The first issue of “Al Tashkeel” Magazine was published back in 1984, four years after the formation of the Emirates Fine Arts Society. The fine arts movement was witnessing growth and gaining traction on all other artistic levels. The first issue was published as a small internal print for the Society, not exceeding eight pages in black and white, designed by the artist Hussain Sharif, and it featured articles written by both artists Abdul Raheem Salem and the late artist Hassan Sharif. The following statement was featured on the first page:
“Al Tashkeel is a small print, as small as our first tries and attempts can be, we aspired it to be the one mile out of the infinite-miles journey. Those few pages won’t constitute the magazine we aspire it to be unless we stood together; the management along with the Society members and the local intellectuals. All working side by side on weaving it and building the right intellectual and artistic foundation. This collaboration should not be just a logo painted on yellow pages, but a weight we all carry pushing us towards our ambitions. This print is humble this time, and with every new issue, and with each participation, we plan on pushing it further… and every contribution is appreciated…” 1
The first issue featured many topics about visual arts, in addition to translated pieces by the late artist Hassan Sharif about art and artists, and various artistic news highlighting the galleries and training courses in the Society’s studio organized as a part of its activities, curated by the artist Abdul Raheem Salem and the late artist Hassan Sharif. In addition to announcing a fine arts bazaar accompanying the Third Book Fair, holding a fine art forum, and a studio aiming to train photography fans and improve their skills under the supervision of the artist Saleh Al Saaed.
Artist Hussain Sharif, talking about the Magazine start, says: “The idea for creating “Al Tashkeel” magazine started after we came upon “Arab Arts” magazine and was impressed by it, “Arab Arts” is an intellectual magazine concerned with arts in the Arab World, published seasonally back in the eighties by Wasset Publishing House in London. It had Jabra Ibrahim Jabra as the Chief-editor, Buland aydarī as the Editor Secretary, and Dia Azzawi as the Design Director. Seven issues were published, which introduced us to many artists and art pieces, and featured many translations… it was on such a high level but then it stopped. That’s when we had the idea of founding a magazine. We published the first issue which was a small print. I worked on the artistic direction of the magazine, and I interviewed artist Abdul Raheem Salem, who also wrote about art. Hassan Sharif designed the cover and wrote some articles from his translation. Then I headed to the Writers Union to publish our print. As I remember, 500 copies were made, which cost around AED1000 – 1500, and it was only eight-page long” 2
After that, the second issue managed to be published in the same year, as a printable piece naming it as a magazine, and it was in black and white, too. Today, the Society is continuing to publish it, supported by Sharjah Art Foundation. The magazine carried the same concepts and futuristic vision of art pioneers in UAE, but with a brand new look and with an academic strategy. With new fixed sections, to ensure the diversity of articles and articles; cover the various artistic, cultural, and intellectual issues of the day; and introduce all the visual arts, varied as they might be, with the purpose of spreading knowledge and elevating the intellectual and visual taste.
1. “Al Tashkeel” Magazine: Issue 1, Page 1, 1984
2. Hussain Sharif: Personal Interview, recorded, the artist’s studio, 7/8/2021, from “Memory & Art” by Dr. Noha Farran.
Dr. Noha Farran is the Founder & CEO of ‘Thinking Art’ Foundation’, Historian, Professor, Cultural Strategist, Researcher, Curator, Visual Artist & Chief Editor of Al Tashkeel magazine. Holding a Ph.D. with excellence in the 'Art & Science of Arts', an MFA in Fine Arts, and an MA in the philosophy of art, she has authored numerous published books and research papers documenting art in the Arab World.
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Chief Editor/ Dr. Noha Hilal Farranhttps://altashkeel.ae/author/chief-editor-dr-noha-hilal-farran/
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Chief Editor/ Dr. Noha Hilal Farranhttps://altashkeel.ae/author/chief-editor-dr-noha-hilal-farran/
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Chief Editor/ Dr. Noha Hilal Farranhttps://altashkeel.ae/author/chief-editor-dr-noha-hilal-farran/
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Chief Editor/ Dr. Noha Hilal Farranhttps://altashkeel.ae/author/chief-editor-dr-noha-hilal-farran/
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Chief Editor/ Dr. Noha Hilal Farranhttps://altashkeel.ae/author/chief-editor-dr-noha-hilal-farran/
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Chief Editor/ Dr. Noha Hilal Farranhttps://altashkeel.ae/author/chief-editor-dr-noha-hilal-farran/
