In this episode of Outline, we're joined by author, illustrator, and film producer Marya Zarif, who's known for her animated works that highlight Syrian narratives. The conversation delves into her background, motivations for creating the award-winning Syrian animated series and films Dounia and "Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo," and the emotional impact these works have on audiences. Zarif shares insights on her creative process, the significance of portraying Syrian culture, and the challenges faced as an Arab – and particularly Syrian – creator. The episode also touches on the broader issues of Syrian visibility in media and the responsibility of storytelling in fostering empathy and understanding.

في هذه الحلقة من اوتلاين، نستكشف الرحلة الملهمة لكولكتيف كراسي، المجموعة التي تسعى لدعم الفنانين في حلب من خلال خلق مساحات للتعبير والتعاون. تعرّف على تجارب ناتالي بحادي، من دراستها لإدارة الفنون والثقافة إلى إطلاق كولكتيف كراسي في عام 2022. تتناول المحادثة التحديات التي تواجه بناء مجتمعات فنية وسط العقبات القمعية السياسية، البيروقراطية والاجتماعية، وأهمية إعادة الاتصال بالهوية من خلال الفن، وكيف يمكن للتعبير الفني أن يساعد في التعافي من الصدمات. كما نناقش تطور المشهد الفني المحلي، ودور الموسيقى كآلية للتكيف، والحاجة الملحة لمساهمة السوريين في الخارج في إحياء المشهد الثقافي لوطنهم

This episode of Outline is the first in an Aleppo special hosted by Sabine Boghossian. In this episode, our host is joined by visual artist Christine Gedeon. Born in Aleppo, Syria, and raised in the US, Gedeon now divides her time between Berlin and New York. Her work has focused on her family history in Syria pre-civil war. The discussion delves into her latest projects, including her book "Aleppo Deconstruction Reconstruction" and her film "A Portrait of Michel," which explore the impact of the Syrian war on her family and artistic journey. Gedeon shares the emotional and personal challenges of working on projects related to her family's history, dealing with themes of identity, war, and loss, and the recent fall of the Assad regime. The conversation also touches on broader issues such as the impact of censorship and the political climate on artists, especially those from the Middle East.

El Warcha means workshop in Arabic. It is a collective and maker-space founded in 2016 in the medina of Tunis, Tunisia. It aims to promote hands-on education and civic actions through the making of temporary urban furniture, art installations and public events with local inhabitants. With members of its community moving around, the project established itself in Tottenham in north London in 2018, and in Lisbon since 2020. It has also operated regularly in Nefta in south Tunisia since 2019.

In this episode of Outline, embroidery artist Lizzy Vartanian explains her creative process behind taking old family photos and bringing them to life through embroidery. She tells us about her first exposure to the craft, connecting with her own heritage, and sharing the practice with others. Together, we reflect on the true intangible value of handwork and the stories that are shared and preserved in each final piece.

We kick of a new season of Outline with our new host, Sabine Boghossian, who interviews multimedia artist, photographer, writer and textile designer, Hana Almilli. Hana invites us into her multi-layered creative practice which centers mostly around textiles. Using fabric, she seeks to connect with her history, unite her ancestors and grapple with cultural and identity alienation — a feeling she has found resonates with many. She speaks about the feminine fibre that is integral to textile-based practices having been passed down generations from woman to woman, the value of the repetitive and meditative nature of weaving, and leveraging space and light as part of her work.