Transforming Public Spaces: From Street Art to Global Murals | Yazan Halwani

In this afikra podcast episode, we dive into the creative world of Yazan Halwani, a celebrated muralist known for his intricate blend of Arabic calligraphy and portraiture. We explore his journey from the streets of Beirut to international acclaim, and explore his artistic evolution, the profound inspiration behind his monumental works, and the challenges he navigates in bringing his visions to life on a grand scale.

00:00 Intro
01:23 Exploring Public Art Beyond Street Art
04:07 The Impact of Yazan's Murals on Public Perception
06:10 Yazan's Artistic Awakening
11:03 Overcoming the Challenges of Mural Creation
15:13 The Stories Behind Yazan's Subjects
17:58 Engaging Communities in the Artistic Process
20:39 The Realm of Non-Public Artworks
23:41 Inspirations and Influences: Yazan Among Contemporaries
25:31 The Art of Calligraphy in Yazan's Work
30:30 Recommendations from Yazan: Books, Films & More
32:59 Q&A: Interpreting Murals Without Descriptions
36:13 Q&A: The Motivation for Yazan's Public Art
39:53 Q&A: Real Versus Fictional Characters in Yazan's Art
42:00 Q&A: The Future Direction of Yazan's Career
45:42 Q&A: Collaborating with Urban Designers to Enhance Cityscapes
47:35 Q&A: Navigating Ethical Considerations in Art
50:03 Q&A: The Decision to Address Social Themes Through Art

Yazan Halwani originally hails from Beirut and now resides in Boston. He has earned international recognition for his captivating murals that seamlessly blend traditional Arabic calligraphy with lifelike portraits. Often referred to as "Beirut's Banksy", Yazan has left his mark in various corners of the globe, including France, Singapore, Germany, Beirut, Tunisia, and the UAE. His work seeks to push the boundaries of Arabic calligraphy, traditionally focused on abstraction, by introducing figuration, thereby giving new dimensions to Arabic literary culture.

Connect with Yazan 👉   / yazanhalwani  

Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉   / mikey_mu  

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#YazanHalwani #StreetArt #ArabicCalligraphy #CulturalMurals