Fragrant Journeys

Fragrant Journeys

Proud of our latest Exhibition Design for the “Fragrant Journeys | دروبٌ عطرة” Exhibition in collaboration with the Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon and the French Embassy in Muscat*.* The Exhibition showcases beautiful artefacts from different civilisations across the incense journey East to West, from ancient to contemporary - most notable of which is an artwork from Picasso himself!

It was also an honour to have this exhibition held in the first ever (soft) public opening of Bayt Greiza (بيت جريزة), which was a Portuguese garrison that dates back to 1597 CE in old Muscat, before being transformed to a Royal Omani palace for several Sultans until it temporarily housed H.M. Sultan Qaboos and later his Royal Guests. The complex was also renovated by none other than the contemporary Iraqi architect Mohammed Makiya; which I am humbled to have my design showcased within his renovated halls.

The branding is inspired from flowing Nastaleeq calligraphy that I modified to compliment the flow of incense and the journey between cultures, while the classical Latin font used represents the Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon and creates a harmony of contrast with the flowing Arabic calligraphy. The use of White and Black holds it value in representing smoke and charcoal/burner, while the monotone branding frames the beautiful royal shades used in Bayt Greiza, while also connects with the Picasso centerpiece and branding of Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon.

And finally my favourite detail: the abstract of the final Arabic letter ‘ة’ signifies a censer/vessel (مجمرة) while the dots represent the incense on it - And together they represent the flow of smoke and the flow of the Journey of artefacts from East to West, and from Lyon to Muscat.

Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without the direction of H.E. Jamal al-Moosawi to revive the venue, the trust and support of from the Head of Exhibitions Noora Al Balushi, my colleagues at the Collection Department, and the whole amazing team at the National Museum who supported me and transliterated the branding into beautiful posters and graphics.

Exhibition Photography: © Ibrahim Balushi

“Fragrant Journeys” have been inaugurated on the 17th of October 2022 in Bayt Greiza.
Open to public until May 2022. Press Release. National TV Coverage. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon.

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