In time when trust is not easily given, in moving, turbulent, shifting and fast times, it is feasible to initiate and realize a virtual space like Daftar (a notebook) –a ritualistic workshop of notion and revelation. Daftar embraces the hidden files of memory and moments of innovation in daily life. Daftar is listening to the reservations of the other, looking for the fighters for truth and imagination. In terms of asceticism, Daftar deals with the text of the painter or the drawings of the winter. Daftar is an open passage between the image and word for lust and adventure. In a period of two years, Daftar has aimed to have a modern and unique graphic language – a path of integration of thoughts – seeking intellectual friends worldwide, rewriting and rereading a variety of visual elements, to provide a sincere reflection of creative activity in a form of an extensive visual encyclopaedia. The idea of a public exchange of experiences and inspirations via cyberspace, the magazine on-line, is going against all known previous routes of Arabic journalism. Hopefully with time (Daftar is already a seed for hope) Daftar will establish new norms and traditions. Online layout obviously differs from layout on paper, in addition, Daftar will be re-designed as a complete book in the near future |
| Daftar will be a non-profit organization devoted to contemporary art towards placing art practice at the centre of contemporary culture in the Middle East and North Africa. The organization will be in charge of publishing print and online magazines, and curatorial programme. Dafter magazine is a quarterly bilingual Arabic/English publication with the intention of filling a gaping hole in the arts and culture coverage of the Middle East, North Africa and its Diaspora. It is an art and cultural magazine with high demands on content. It focuses on topical art and socio-political debates, aesthetic questions and information on arts and culture in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. High-calibre authors from both banks will make the magazine a forum for information and dialogue with and within the Arab cultural area. Daftar’s curatorial programme will be dedicated to supporting contemporary artists from the Middle East, managed by a group of curators, editors and artists based in Middle East and Europe. We will commission and curate artists' projects, exhibitions, and educational events, usually working in collaboration with local organizations and practitioners. The Dafter Library a collection of catalogues, books, artists' books, and sound/film projects, curated by artists, which will be developed as a touring, 'pop-up' resource; a course of Arabic/English workshops on writing about art, designed to encourage critical debate in the Middle East and North Africa; as well as curated film programs and performances. Daftar’s work programme that occupies a place between theory and practice. It will include seminars, publications, performances and presentations of works by various Arab and European cultural practitioners – visual artists, architects, film-makers, performers, musicians, writers, poets and intellectuals, as well as people from the social and political spheres. There will also be a range of workshops that will explore works of art and artistic practice. Daftar online magazine was a monthly publication founded in 2004. It was carried out by commitments of four cultural practitioners. We have produced 16 issues. Info-installation was created to take part in a tour exhibition The Iraqi Equation 2006, curated by Catherine David which took place in KW Berlin, Tapies foundation and Omia, Swede : www.daftar.nl |
