Studying from the point of view of traditions and the ways of preserving them is an interesting approach. It made the analysis of the Kufic style complete and allowed us to explore it in different interpretations and mediums.
This traditional style of Arabic calligraphy remains an important cultural heritage. The first approach of preserving it helps to deliver the true sense and original meanings of calligraphy by referring to authentic tools and motifs.
It is important that the examples also clearly prove that Kufi can be reinterpreted and adapted. After the visual analysis, we see that this style is not stagnant or forgotten. On the opposite, contemporary Kufi offers many opportunities for exploration, both semantic and visual.
As a result, it moves from strict canons to more flexible forms, allowing masters to go beyond the traditions and create new visual interpretations, combine the style with other styles of calligraphy (Naskh, Sulus and others). It also should be noted how different styles and variations of Kufi itself are developing. Masters widely use eastern (mashriki), western (maghribi), «intertwined» (mushabbak), «blooming» (muzahhir), geometric and many others.
The integration of Kufi into modern art practices and tools allows it to transform, acquire features of abstraction, become dynamic and alive. This expands Kufi, adding depth and multilayers to the visual language of calligraphy.
Therefore, Kufic script remains culturally valuable and continues to evolve, adopting new forms in response to the demands of the times. Tradition and innovation, intertwining, allow Kufi to adapt while remaining a significant part of contemporary visual culture. This makes it timeless and an infinite source of inspiration and exploration.
*The visual research contains materials posted on the Meta platform (considered an extremist organization, banned on the territory of the Russian Federation).
SHAMSUTOV R.I. ARABOGRAPHIC ART OF KAZAN (VOLGA) TATARS: TRANSFORMATION IN TIME. Islam in the modern world. 2017; 13(4): 141-164. https://doi.org/10.22311/2074-1529-2017-13-4-141-164 (25.10.2024)
Manuscript book in the culture of the peoples of the East. Essays. Book One / Ed. by O.F. Akimushkin, M.I. Vorobyova-Desyatovskaya, L.N. Menshikov, Y.A. Petrosyan, E.N. Temkin, A.B. Khalidov, S.S. Celniker, K.N. Yuzbashyan. Moscow: Nauka, GRVL, 1987. — 560 p. http://www.orientalstudies.ru/rus/index.php?option=com_publications&Itemid=75&pub=1670 (27.10.24)
Nikolai Katanov. Volga Tatars in their works and in life. Review of literary activity of Tatars for the XIX century // Gasyrlar avazy — Echo of centuries. 2001. No1-2. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/povolzhskie-tatary-v-ih-proizvedeniyah-i-v-zhizni-obzor-literaturnoy-deyatelnosti-tatar-za-xix-vek (20.10.2024)
Sabyrlyk, azatlyk and other important Tatar words // Arzamas: website. — URL: https://arzamas.academy/materials/1707 (20.10.2024)
Sabur K. N., Vilchinskaya-Butenko M. E., Stages of development of graphic design in the Arab world // Vestnik of St. Petersburg University. Art History. 2019. No3. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/etapy-razvitiya-graficheskogo-dizayna-v-arabskom-mire (27.10.2024)
Calligraphy: 10 most famous Islamic inscriptions // Arzamas: website. — URL: https://arzamas.academy/materials/1623 (20.10.2024)
International Journal of Art & Design (IJAD), Volume 6 (1), July/2022, Pg. 108-121The Use of Stainless Steel to Create Contemporary Artistic Arabic Calligraphy Sculptures https://journal.uitm.edu.my/ojs/index.php/IJAD/article/view/1355/519 (08.10.2024)
Khorasani K., Moghaddam A. K. Identifying Factors Affecting Bannai Kufic Script Sustainability in Modern Times, and its Course of Use in Logotype Design //The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar. — 2017. — Т. 14. — No. 46. — С. 41-50. https://www.academia.edu/34988814/Identifying_Factors_Affecting_Bannai_Kufic_Script_Sustainability_in_Modern_Times_and_its_Course_of_Use_in_Logotype_Design (01.11.2024)
Tavsan, C. & Sipahi, S. (2017). The impact of the eras and varieties of Kufic art, on the placement of Kufic in architectural design. New Trends and Issues Proceedings on Humanities and Social Sciences https://www.academia.edu/35580190/The_Impact_of_the_Eras_and_Varieties_of_Kufic_art_on_the_Placement_of_Kufic_in_Architectural_Design (22.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, surah Al-Kahf (18:109) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cet3-mzrfUI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (24.10.2024)
Muhammad Ashraf Heera, surah Ash-Sharh (94:5-6), 2020 https://callihealing.com/2020/10/14/%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%b1%d9%81-%d9%87%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a7-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%83%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%86/ (14.10.2024)
Muhammad Ashraf Heera, surah At-Talaq (65:7), 2020 https://callihealing.com/2020/10/14/%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%b1%d9%81-%d9%87%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a7-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%83%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%86/ (14.10.2024)
Muhammad Ashraf Heera, Takbir, 2020 https://callihealing.com/2020/10/14/%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%b1%d9%81-%d9%87%d9%8a%d8%b1%d8%a7-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d9%83%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%86/ (14.10.2024)
Shamail Ahmed, surah Al-Fatihah, 2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/CtwibfAIv7M/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link (26.10.2024)
Sanaz Alborzi, Hilya Sharif, 2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/CoiPGessCqA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (24.10.2024)
Sanaz Alborzi, surah Al-Fatihah, 2021 https://www.instagram.com/p/CLFOi-zsGg_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (24.10.2024)
Sanaz Alborzi, surah Al-Fatihah, 2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/ChPXQsGsq2q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (24.10.2024)
Ameur Ben Jeddou, If you follow God, God will be by your side, 2020 https://callihealing.com/2020/10/18/%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%85%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d9%86-%d8%ac%d8%af%d9%91%d9%88-%d8%aa%d9%88%d9%86%d8%b3/ (23.10.2024)
Ameur Ben Jeddou, My faith in Allah protects me, 2020 https://callihealing.com/2020/10/18/%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%85%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d9%86-%d8%ac%d8%af%d9%91%d9%88-%d8%aa%d9%88%d9%86%d8%b3/ (23.10.2024)
Ameur Ben Jeddou, Elia Abu Madi’s work quote, 2020 https://callihealing.com/2020/10/18/%d8%b9%d8%a7%d9%85%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d9%86-%d8%ac%d8%af%d9%91%d9%88-%d8%aa%d9%88%d9%86%d8%b3/ (23.10.2024)
Suhail Badar, surah Al-Fatihah, 2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-doxXF6n8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (26.10.2024)
Jamal Al-Kebasi, surah Hud (11:4), 2020 https://callihealing.com/2020/10/14/%d8%ac%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b3%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b9%d9%88%d8%af%d9%8a%d8%a9/ (14.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, surah Al-'Ankabut (29:46), 2022 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/one-god/ (24.10.2024)
Sarina Ghazaei surah Al-Asr, 2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkWJJMysiZP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (17.10.2024)
Sarina Ghazaei, surah Al-Hujurat (49:13), 2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/CvHTiYJMVeZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (17.10.2024)
Sarina Ghazaei, surah Al-Fatihah, 2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/CupG9VtMoDH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (17.10.2024)
Jamal Muhsin, Al-Muta’ali (The Most Exalted), 78th name of Allah, 2015 https://www.behance.net/gallery/31208903/Al-Mutaali (26.10.2024)
Thibaut Degenne, AL RISALAH (The message), Occasional table inlaid with a natural stone mosaic https://www.designbydegenne.com/alrisala-bespoke-occasional-table (24.10.2024)
Azra Aghighi Bakhshayeshi, Composition of Kufic script, 2015 https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_2015-6030-1 (03.11.2024)
Sami Gharbi, «Tangled», abstract Arabic calligraphy, 2017 https://www.saatchiart.com/en-tr/art/Drawing-TANGLED/777652/8793074/view (27.10.2024)
Sepideh, «Gray», abstract calligraphy, 2023 https://objkt.com/tokens/KT1VVYsVV82yf6mjBrukCdMqkHEcXSH2Jyew/2 (27.10.2024)
Sami Gharbi, Abstract Kufi, 2017 https://www.saatchiart.com/en-tr/art/Drawing-ABSTKUFI/777652/8736646/view (16.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Wire, 2018 https://nasernia.com/2018/?post_type=exhibition_post# (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Passerby, 2018 https://nasernia.com/2020/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Psychespermia, 2021 https://nasernia.com/2021/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Multiplicity, 2018 https://nasernia.com/2018/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Wortex, 2016 https://nasernia.com/2016/?post_type=exhibition_post# (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Glitch, 2020 https://nasernia.com/2020/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Enki, 2020 https://nasernia.com/2020/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Elastographeme 5, 2020 https://nasernia.com/2020/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Elastographeme 7, 2020 https://nasernia.com/2020/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Liquid Language, 2020 https://nasernia.com/2020/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Sasan Nasernia, Transcendent, 2020 https://nasernia.com/2020/?post_type=exhibition_post (28.10.2024)
Somayeh Gholami, Sometimes you need to change your phase https://somayehgholami.com/artwork/034-sometimes-you-need-to-change-your-phase/ (28.10.2024)
Somayeh Gholami, Unveiling new paths https://somayehgholami.com/artwork/040-unveiling-new-paths/ (28.10.2024)
Somayeh Gholami, Love https://somayehgholami.com/artwork/021-love/ (28.10.2024)
Somayeh Gholami, Letting Life Take its Course https://somayehgholami.com/artwork/035-letting-life-take-its-course/ (28.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, Resilience, 2024 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/resilience/ (14.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, Unraveling, 2021 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/unraveling/ (26.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, Imagination, 2017 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/imagination/ (14.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, Fortress of the Heart, 2023 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/fortress/ (26.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, Out of the Untamed Land, 2019 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/untamed-land/ (26.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, The Subject Tonight Is Love, 2018 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/subject-tonight/ (14.10.2024)
Joumana Medlej, Bravery, 2022 https://majnouna.com/portfolio/bravery/ (14.10.2024)
Nedaa Elias, Manifestations of Rumi Installation, 2023 https://www.saatchiart.com/en-tr/art/Installation-Manifestations-of-Rumi/662240/10949529/view (16.10.2024)
Saadqain Kamal, Eternal Gold Of Wao Painting, 2024 https://www.saatchiart.com/en-tr/art/Painting-Eternal-Gold-Of-Wao/2534419/12005011/view (29.10.2024)
Shamail Ahmed, surah Al-Ahzab (33:56), 2024 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1588616295337845&set=pb.100025684684156.-2207520000&type=3 (17.10.2024)
Shamail Ahmed, surah Ali 'Imran (3:173), 2023 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=787192473409987&set=pb.100063577251442.-2207520000&type=3 (17.10.2024)
Shamail Ahmed, surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:11), 2023 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1431527737713369&set=pb.100025684684156.-2207520000&type=3 (17.10.2024)
Shamail Ahmed, Muhammad Ur Rasoolullah, 2023 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=867416065387627&set=pb.100063577251442.-2207520000&type=3 (17.10.2024)
Shamail Ahmed, Duruud, 2024 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1571262800406528&set=pb.100025684684156.-2207520000 (17.10.2024)
Sedat Aktürk, Takbir (Allahu Akbar), 2024 https://www.behance.net/gallery/205084917/uecgen-makli-tasarm-(ALLAHU-EKBER)-ALLAHUAKBAR? tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Ckufi& l=118 (21.10.2024)
Basmah Felemban, Jeem, 2012 https://staging.athrart.com/exhibition/63/exhibition_works/1773 (14.10.2024)
Merve Nur Kayhan Hassan, Basmalah https://www.mervenurkayhan.com/work-s?pgid=iqw6aiiy-a8c7b6d9-a706-41ee-aa7a-c68c159bdaf4 (16.10.2024)
Merve Nur Kayhan Hassan, Ya Latif («O the Kind one») https://www.mervenurkayhan.com/work-s?pgid=iqw6aiiy-cd60991c-366e-4467-899a-b02f696f8787 (16.10.2024)
Merve Nur Kayhan Hassan, «lt’s not only me who loves you, it’s only you whom l love» (Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi) https://www.mervenurkayhan.com/work-s?pgid=iqw6aiiy-0706e69c-34e8-4f1e-baf1-debf1172a03a (16.10.2024)
Merve Nur Kayhan Hassan, There is no god but Allah https://www.mervenurkayhan.com/work-s?pgid=iqw6aiiy-26aa6f23-36d3-4fc5-a8ed-c6449836d03f (16.10.2024)
Merve Nur Kayhan Hassan, «O thy whose kindness is covert» https://www.mervenurkayhan.com/work-s?pgid=iqw6aiiy-f3a7eab5-50b1-4f82-a807-bdd487dccd5d (16.10.2024)
Nasser Al Salem, «And Whoever Obeys Allah, He Will Make For Him A Way Out», 2012 https://cargocollective.com/nasseralsalem/And-Whoever-Obeys-Allah-He-Will-Make-For-Him-A-Way-Out (14.10.2024)
Nasser Al Salem, An Adornment of Stars, 2014 https://staging.athrart.com/artist/Nasser_Al%20Salem/works/2118 (14.10.2024)
Ali Toy, Conquest of Constantinople hadith, 2014 https://www.zeytinburnukultursanat.com/media/brochures/16_-HARFLER%C4%B0N%C4%B0Z%C4%B0NDE_-_AL%C4%B0_TOY.pdf (14.10.2024)
Ali Toy, Al-Wadud (The Most Loving), 47th name of Allah, 2014 https://www.zeytinburnukultursanat.com/media/brochures/16_-HARFLER%C4%B0N%C4%B0Z%C4%B0NDE_-_AL%C4%B0_TOY.pdf (14.10.2024)
Ali Toy, Maalik-al-Mulk, 2014 https://www.zeytinburnukultursanat.com/media/brochures/16_-HARFLER%C4%B0N%C4%B0Z%C4%B0NDE_-_AL%C4%B0_TOY.pdf (14.10.2024)
Ali Toy, Muhammad, 2014 https://www.zeytinburnukultursanat.com/media/brochures/16_-HARFLER%C4%B0N%C4%B0Z%C4%B0NDE_-_AL%C4%B0_TOY.pdf (14.10.2024)
Ali Toy, Basmalah, 2014 https://www.zeytinburnukultursanat.com/media/brochures/16_-HARFLER%C4%B0N%C4%B0Z%C4%B0NDE_-_AL%C4%B0_TOY.pdf (14.10.2024)
Ali Toy, Basmalah, 2014 https://www.zeytinburnukultursanat.com/media/brochures/16_-HARFLER%C4%B0N%C4%B0Z%C4%B0NDE_-_AL%C4%B0_TOY.pdf (14.10.2024)
Ali Toy, Basmalah, 2014 https://www.zeytinburnukultursanat.com/media/brochures/16_-HARFLER%C4%B0N%C4%B0Z%C4%B0NDE_-_AL%C4%B0_TOY.pdf (14.10.2024)
Youssef Khaled, Madinaty VG5 Mosque, 2022 https://www.behance.net/gallery/150507977/Madinaty-VG5-Mosque?tracking_source=search_projects_appreciations%7Ckufic+calligraphy&l=122 (26.10.2024)
Rami Hoballah, 99 Names of Allah, 2015 https://www.behance.net/gallery/26344339/99-Names-of-Allah?tracking_source=search_projects%7Callah&l=9 (30.10.2024)
Suhail Badar, surah Al-Fatihah, 2021 https://www.instagram.com/p/CKeAnxxMOWk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (29.10.2024)
Suhail Badar, surah An-Nas, 2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CGuNpyfFOUN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (29.10.2024)
Suhail Badar, Basmalah, 2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CHXffm4lSDb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (29.10.2024)
Suhail Badar, Al-Qayyoom, 2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CEg87lXFzvJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (29.10.2024)
Ibrahim Zaki, This Too Shall Pass, 2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/CsRRslUs62Y/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (18.10.2024)
Ibrahim Zaki, Our Time — BRED Music poster, 2024 https://www.ibrahimzaki.com/shop/p/our-time-bred-music-festival-series (18.10.2024)
Ibrahim Zaki, Dream poster, 2024 https://www.ibrahimzaki.com/shop/p/dream (18.10.2024)
Mahdy, De Stijl — Kufic, 2021 https://www.behance.net/gallery/126451553/De-Stijl-Kufic (20.10.2024)
Dennis Sobeh, Palestinian Circus festival poster, 2020 https://dennissobeh.com/palestine-circus-festival (20.10.2024)
Ehab Elhamzawy, ARABIAN POSTERS, 2019 https://www.behance.net/gallery/89984077/ARABIAN-POSTERS-Abstract-Calligraphy?tracking_source=search_projects_appreciations%7Ckufic+calligraphy&l=34 (01.11.2024)
Mohamed Samir, Nike store branding in Dubai, 2018 https://www.behance.net/gallery/73563541/Nike-Dubai (17.10.2024)
Mohamed Samir, Typosters, 2018-19 https://www.behance.net/gallery/72987355/Typosters-20 (17.10.2024)
Mohamed Samir, Typosters, 2018-19 https://www.printmag.com/branding-identity-design/type-tuesday-geometric-arabic-typographic-bliss/ (17.10.2024)
Ehab Elhamzawy, Illusion Kufic, 2019 https://www.behance.net/gallery/81391815/LA-Illusion-Kufic (01.11.2024)
Tarek Sawwa, TS Fonts, Kufidia Font, 2020 https://www.behance.net/gallery/97408869/Kufidia-Typeface- (02.11.2024)
Bahare Alimoradi, Modern combination of primitive Kufi line on canvas, 2024 https://www.instagram.com/p/DAsOeucMRrN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (30.10.2024)
Lana Kurdi, Khareq Typeface, 2018 https://www.behance.net/gallery/66203609/Khareq-Typeface- (20.10.2024)
Wael Morcos, Inner structures, outer rythms, 2021 https://100bestarabicposters.com/ (25.10.2024)
Ahmad Hammoud, Cinema El-Housh, a pop up cinema brand identity in Jeddah, 2020 https://www.behance.net/gallery/88828655/Cinema-El-Housh?locale=ru_RU (20.10.2024)
Yousef Abdelmoaty, Hibrayer, 2024 https://www.behance.net/gallery/194308513/Hibrayer-Typography-Challenge-2024?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Ckufi&l=194 (21.10.2024)
Merna E. Shaker, The Kufi Project, 2023 https://www.behance.net/gallery/166646811/The-Kufi-Project?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cmodern+kufi&l=61 (01.11.2024)
Tarek Sawwa, TS Fonts, Muhandas Font, 2022 https://www.behance.net/gallery/145208089/Muhandas-Font- (02.11.2024)
Mostafa El Abasiry, Takween Typeface, 2017 https://mostafa-abasiry.com/b/takween-arabic-font (02.11.2024)
