Supervisors: Dr Soumitri Varadarajan and Prof. Dr Leoni Schmidt Phone: +61423246449 Address: Associate Professor Major Coordinator Design Innovation & Fabrication School of Design and the Built Environment Faculty of Humanities Curtin University
Pivot 2020; Pluriversal Design SIG, June-2020. Designing a World of Many Centers. Tulane Universi... more Pivot 2020; Pluriversal Design SIG, June-2020. Designing a World of Many Centers. Tulane University- New Orleans & The Design Research Society DRS-UK. The full paper link: https://www.academia.edu/44528589/Pivot_2020_Designing_a_world_of_many_centers P.p. 43-55. Doi: 10.21606/pluriversal.2020.014
The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability: Annual Review, 2008
Interdesign-2005 in South Africa addressed 'Sustainable Rural Transportation, Technology for... more Interdesign-2005 in South Africa addressed 'Sustainable Rural Transportation, Technology for Developing Countries', a challenging problem for developing countries, especially their rural communities. The mainstream of design practices now address 'sustainability', and seek ...
This paper is to introduce my experience as a designer, thinking of design within its wider conte... more This paper is to introduce my experience as a designer, thinking of design within its wider contexts, in post-war Iraq, discussing issues and presenting examples collected during my recent trip to Iraq, and aiming to articulate this travelling experience from my position in being “out of place” (Said, 1999).
The expeditions of Malay fishermen who arrived on the Western Australia Northern coast in the 17t... more The expeditions of Malay fishermen who arrived on the Western Australia Northern coast in the 17th century, prior to European settlement, are documented largely through narrative accounts. By contrast, there is archival information documenting all the major Muslim communities which have immigrated to Western Australia since the 1870s.
The ‘Shanasheel’ is an Iraqi name for the ‘Mashrbiya;’ a well-known Islamic architectural element... more The ‘Shanasheel’ is an Iraqi name for the ‘Mashrbiya;’ a well-known Islamic architectural element, which appears as an extruded wooden structure from the frontal façade of domestic buildings, and distinguished the designs of traditional houses in the big cities in many Middle East and North African countries. In Baghdad and the major cities down to the Deep South of Iraq, traditional house designs are characterised by one or two storeys, and built of a mix of baked and sun-dried bricks, set out around a courtyard; which functions as a central space of the dwelling’s collective living practices. As well, it influences and improves the living conditions relating to the physical environment factors of sunlight and airflow. In these houses, Al-Shanasheel dominates the façade of the second storey, and offers a microclimate based on its unique design of fine joinery that is constructed mainly from teakwood. Through adjustment of its latticework windows, the Shansheel is capable of opening...
This study tackles the topic of design in Iraq: its emergence and its signification of modernity ... more This study tackles the topic of design in Iraq: its emergence and its signification of modernity since the post-independent era, during which Iraq was a regional center of pioneering Arabic movements in modern literature, arts, and architecture. Emergent design practices are visible in architecture and urban planning, which were delivered by key international architects. This study presents a historical account and contextual analysis of the vital contributions that these designs made to supporting the Iraqi modernity project. Moreover, it indicates the significant role and strategic domination of the sociopolitical order in shaping design practices and education in the country. Methodologically, this study draws from unstructured conversations with members of the Iraqi design community, followed by thematic and context analysis to identify design discourses transformation. The analysis demonstrates that in Iraq design: (a) is a signifier of modernity; (b) contributes to the enhance...
Contemporary design discourse in Iraq since the 1940s has endorsed principles of aesthetic and vi... more Contemporary design discourse in Iraq since the 1940s has endorsed principles of aesthetic and visual appeal in the design process, aligned with material cultural traditions and Iraqi socio-cultural preferences, though modern design practices didn’t move beyond the handcraft skills practiced in Iraq from ancient times. The Iraqi design community has been forced to practice design in isolation from the rest of the world since the 1980s. The significance of this estrangement is easily traced through the evolution of design practice. The horrific impacts and lack of security arising from political instability dominate the country and interfere with the development of a contemporary design discourse in Iraq
Design in Iraq is the result of a rich mixture of many cultural, geographical and even climatic e... more Design in Iraq is the result of a rich mixture of many cultural, geographical and even climatic elements which have shaped this land from ancient times. Adapting man-made objects to cultural and ecological influences has provided various creative solution
Pivot 2020; Pluriversal Design SIG, June-2020. Designing a World of Many Centers. Tulane Universi... more Pivot 2020; Pluriversal Design SIG, June-2020. Designing a World of Many Centers. Tulane University- New Orleans & The Design Research Society DRS-UK. The full paper link: https://www.academia.edu/44528589/Pivot_2020_Designing_a_world_of_many_centers P.p. 43-55. Doi: 10.21606/pluriversal.2020.014
The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability: Annual Review, 2008
Interdesign-2005 in South Africa addressed 'Sustainable Rural Transportation, Technology for... more Interdesign-2005 in South Africa addressed 'Sustainable Rural Transportation, Technology for Developing Countries', a challenging problem for developing countries, especially their rural communities. The mainstream of design practices now address 'sustainability', and seek ...
This paper is to introduce my experience as a designer, thinking of design within its wider conte... more This paper is to introduce my experience as a designer, thinking of design within its wider contexts, in post-war Iraq, discussing issues and presenting examples collected during my recent trip to Iraq, and aiming to articulate this travelling experience from my position in being “out of place” (Said, 1999).
The expeditions of Malay fishermen who arrived on the Western Australia Northern coast in the 17t... more The expeditions of Malay fishermen who arrived on the Western Australia Northern coast in the 17th century, prior to European settlement, are documented largely through narrative accounts. By contrast, there is archival information documenting all the major Muslim communities which have immigrated to Western Australia since the 1870s.
The ‘Shanasheel’ is an Iraqi name for the ‘Mashrbiya;’ a well-known Islamic architectural element... more The ‘Shanasheel’ is an Iraqi name for the ‘Mashrbiya;’ a well-known Islamic architectural element, which appears as an extruded wooden structure from the frontal façade of domestic buildings, and distinguished the designs of traditional houses in the big cities in many Middle East and North African countries. In Baghdad and the major cities down to the Deep South of Iraq, traditional house designs are characterised by one or two storeys, and built of a mix of baked and sun-dried bricks, set out around a courtyard; which functions as a central space of the dwelling’s collective living practices. As well, it influences and improves the living conditions relating to the physical environment factors of sunlight and airflow. In these houses, Al-Shanasheel dominates the façade of the second storey, and offers a microclimate based on its unique design of fine joinery that is constructed mainly from teakwood. Through adjustment of its latticework windows, the Shansheel is capable of opening...
This study tackles the topic of design in Iraq: its emergence and its signification of modernity ... more This study tackles the topic of design in Iraq: its emergence and its signification of modernity since the post-independent era, during which Iraq was a regional center of pioneering Arabic movements in modern literature, arts, and architecture. Emergent design practices are visible in architecture and urban planning, which were delivered by key international architects. This study presents a historical account and contextual analysis of the vital contributions that these designs made to supporting the Iraqi modernity project. Moreover, it indicates the significant role and strategic domination of the sociopolitical order in shaping design practices and education in the country. Methodologically, this study draws from unstructured conversations with members of the Iraqi design community, followed by thematic and context analysis to identify design discourses transformation. The analysis demonstrates that in Iraq design: (a) is a signifier of modernity; (b) contributes to the enhance...
Contemporary design discourse in Iraq since the 1940s has endorsed principles of aesthetic and vi... more Contemporary design discourse in Iraq since the 1940s has endorsed principles of aesthetic and visual appeal in the design process, aligned with material cultural traditions and Iraqi socio-cultural preferences, though modern design practices didn’t move beyond the handcraft skills practiced in Iraq from ancient times. The Iraqi design community has been forced to practice design in isolation from the rest of the world since the 1980s. The significance of this estrangement is easily traced through the evolution of design practice. The horrific impacts and lack of security arising from political instability dominate the country and interfere with the development of a contemporary design discourse in Iraq
Design in Iraq is the result of a rich mixture of many cultural, geographical and even climatic e... more Design in Iraq is the result of a rich mixture of many cultural, geographical and even climatic elements which have shaped this land from ancient times. Adapting man-made objects to cultural and ecological influences has provided various creative solution
In March 2006 Otago Polytechnic School of Art held a seminar on the conflicts around the publicat... more In March 2006 Otago Polytechnic School of Art held a seminar on the conflicts around the publication by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammad. A lecturer in Design Studies was invited to speak from a Middle Eastern perspective and a lecturer in Art Theory and History at the School of Art was invited to respond from a Western perspective. The conflict that provoked this discussion arose from a surprisingly naive request for an illustrator to illustrate a book explaining the Muslim faith to Danish children. The fact that illustrators were reluctant to work on this project was publicised and characterised as 'self-censorship' by Flemming Rose of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. He responded by commissioning artists to create images which did represent Mohammad on the grounds that this would enable the newspaper to demonstrate that it stood for the principles of freedom of speech. The cartoons were published in Denmark and slowly di...
The aim of this book is to provide a clear overview of the region that stimulates debate, gives d... more The aim of this book is to provide a clear overview of the region that stimulates debate, gives direction to the development of design education, and provides an agenda that would strategically inform practitioners. Respondents to the Expression of Interest are invited to propose a topic for a 5,000-word essay in one of the three parts of the book. Part 1. Looking back on the history of design: tradition, colonialism and modernity The topics invited would all critically reflect upon the relation between the place of design and the pre-modern, modern and contemporary history of the region. Part 2. An evaluation of 'the now': what is the present picture of design practices and education in the region? This question is posed against the backdrop of conflict, political instability, economic circumstances, and socio-cultural problems and possibilities. Part 3. Futuring the Region: How can design education, knowledge and practices contribute to the repair and transformation of the region so that it is better able to meet its challenges and constitute a viable and equitable future for all the societies of the region. Please send a one-page Expression of Interest (12pt double spaced) with the following information:
A Personal narrative articulates the betweenness of locations around rivers and places that are a... more A Personal narrative articulates the betweenness of locations around rivers and places that are accommodated temporarily and then permanently from the 'home' throughout the personal journey of exile from Iraq since 1991.
The works in "Light & Shadow" explore the perception of artworks, the digitization of objects, cu... more The works in "Light & Shadow" explore the perception of artworks, the digitization of objects, cultural artifacts and heritage, urban culture of the past and urban culture of the future.
‘Futuring Craft’ An Overview
Dr Qassim Saad (Ed's)
Curatorial Advisor & Conference Convenor
The c... more ‘Futuring Craft’ An Overview Dr Qassim Saad (Ed's) Curatorial Advisor & Conference Convenor The conference aims to map contemporary crafts in the Indian Ocean region and to define the future scope of craft making. Current indicative research and creative practices will contribute towards the futuring of crafts across the region. The conference enhances the efforts of academics, craft-makers and curators to collaboratively engage, through critical analysis, and to challenge predominant conceptions linking crafts with the past, to move further towards addressing the notion that, “Craft needs to be seen as a quality of things of the future, rather than a thing of the past! It needs to arrive as elemental to a future economy and culture” (Fry, 2011, P. 139) In this context, we argue ‘futuring’ as a scope of employing individual characteristics to enhance the future transformation of our societies. As human beings, we rely on non-human things; these are the artefacts that we position as a central element in sustaining our physical and mental life. Futuring craft research aims to theorise creative practices and create experimental knowledge, to support the broadening of research practices into, for, and through craft practice (Frayling, 1993), as “[t]his scope is still relatively underdeveloped compared to mainstream design research” (Niedderer, 2014, P. 625). Building on the significance of crafts as value-driven within the existing economic paradigm, this approach is applied across the region as a reflection on transformation towards modernity, development, and beyond. We must acknowledge craft as an object of empowerment, as an artefact that interacts physically through its quality of making as well as through its sensory influences, as reflected through experience, emotion, and aesthetic pleasure.
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P.p. 43-55.
Doi: 10.21606/pluriversal.2020.014
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P.p. 43-55.
Doi: 10.21606/pluriversal.2020.014
Dr Qassim Saad (Ed's)
Curatorial Advisor & Conference Convenor
The conference aims to map contemporary crafts in the Indian Ocean region and to define the future scope of craft making. Current indicative research and creative practices will contribute towards the futuring of crafts across the region. The conference enhances the efforts of academics, craft-makers and curators to collaboratively engage, through critical analysis, and to challenge predominant conceptions linking crafts with the past, to move further towards addressing the notion that, “Craft needs to be seen as a quality of things of the future, rather than a thing of the past! It needs to arrive as elemental to a future economy and culture” (Fry, 2011, P. 139) In this context, we argue ‘futuring’ as a scope of employing individual characteristics to enhance the future transformation of our societies. As human beings, we rely on non-human things; these are the artefacts that we position as a central element in sustaining our physical and mental life. Futuring craft research aims to theorise creative practices and create experimental knowledge, to support the broadening of research practices into, for, and through craft practice (Frayling, 1993), as “[t]his scope is still relatively underdeveloped compared to mainstream design research” (Niedderer, 2014, P. 625). Building on the significance of crafts as value-driven within the existing economic paradigm, this approach is applied across the region as a reflection on transformation towards modernity, development, and beyond. We must acknowledge craft as an object of empowerment, as an artefact that interacts physically through its quality of making as well as through its sensory influences, as reflected through experience, emotion, and aesthetic pleasure.