Khawla Art Gallery – Diaa Allam Interview A Tech visionary, and Curator of Ajman Murals project & winner of Al Dar Arabic calligraphy Art Competition. We had the chance to get to know the artist himself, his background, and his vision on the Metaverse with his own NFT experience.
Get to know the visionary live performer through our blog.
When did you discover your passion for calligraphy?
It was a process from childhood, it all started when I was 3 years old and I didn’t have a good handwriting. I wanted to improve my handwriting when I was 12 and during that process I felt my connection to Arabic calligraphy, and I was astonished by the art of calligraphy and found myself in it.
Do you think you already had it in you?
• I believe that we are all talented, and talent is just a skill you get so it’s how you direct that skill towards whatever you want.
• When I realized my passion for Arabic calligraphy, I started focusing on enhancing my skills, and that a big thanks goes to my family for continuously encouraging me which ultimately made me believe in myself at a very young age.
What encouraged you to start live performing?
It all started back in 2015 for me, when I realized that there is no Arabic Calligraphy performance in the world, I decided that this should be changed and it is for that specific reason that I decided to develop live performance with Arabic Calligraphy. I love how the audience is very friendly towards the approach and always enjoy the process and outcome.
Lately we have been noticing that your art is turning digital, have you always been a tech enthusiast? Part of my art is integrating Arabic calligraphy in our daily lives and in everything we do. It all started for me at a Calligraphy workshop with ‘Apple’. I noticed how fascinated they are by the Arabic touch in art, and it is then that I realized that I want the world to be more attracted to Arabic calligraphy in a natural way. You get connected to the artwork, you get connected to the art ,you get connected to the language, and you become intrigued to learn it and know more about it.
What about your NFT experience?
NFTs are giving access to the art market in a unique way, allowing any artist in the digital world to register their art on a blockchain and make it unique for them. This is how I started developing my own artworks as NFTs.
Are you integrating the Metaverse?
The more you are connected to the world of NFTs the more you understand the importance of the Metaverse.
Aren’t you afraid that it may take over the real world?
I believe that the digital world will be more involved in our day to day in the years to come, as it will give us more access to things that can’t access to in the real world. Once the Metaverse gets more momentum, people will be spending more time there, and it may get scary at first, but I think it will take over. When it comes to us artists, I believe it is very important that we find a balance between the virtual and real world.
Can we expect a live performance in the Metaverse any time soon?
It may be awkward to think about it, however I’m still exploring the idea of live performance in the Metaverse, because most of the NFTs in the Art categories were made to be used in the Metaverse and virtual world.
