MoodSelector

Jan25 ( Egypt Revolution )

2011-02-19T09:40:00.001-08:00

Jan25 ( Egypt Revolution ) by MADMOODSLECTOR

Ablution (عايز أدخل الحمام أتوضه) by MADMOODSLECTOR

2011-01-11T06:01:00.003-08:00

Ablution (عايز أدخل الحمام أتوضه) by MADMOODSLECTOR

Sircaria attack ( هجوم السركاريا ) by MADMOODSLECTOR

2011-01-11T06:01:00.001-08:00

Sircaria attack ( هجوم السركاريا ) by MADMOODSLECTOR

Inception

2010-12-02T05:24:00.000-08:00

Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up (Wavedrum Remix)

2010-10-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up (Wavedrum Remix) by MADMOODSLECTOR">

That's my 1st Remix Using my New KORG WAVEDRUM & Ableton Live.

You name it!

2010-09-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

تحية للحي العاشر و شلة الديزل - دي جي فيجو

2010-09-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

flota

2010-09-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

I was trying a wind/brass instrument (that i don't know its name) at a music store.
The shopkeeper told me "sorry.. you have to buy it"
Cuz of hygienic reasons they can't sell it if someone put it in his mouth!
It costs me 4 Euro.. and so much fun! :)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet my new Toy!

2010-09-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

Is that Bob Marley?

2010-09-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

- Is that Bob Marley?
- NO! Che Guevara!!!!

collaboshitting 1&2

2010-09-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Who?
Me, Karim & mofa!

Where?
the toilet at my place, North Amsterdam!

why?

we had a very small toilet! while sitting shitting, ur face is practically 30 cm from the door. we hanged these green sheets and we started to collabo-shitting.

the pic u see is in Mediamatic Toilet. we thought it's the best place to exhibit our shit!

goodbye Noord.. just for one week.

2010-09-13T03:38:00.001-07:00

I'm Bored, I'm Bored, I'm Bored in Amsterdam Noord!

2010-09-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Interview by: Mahmoud Hamdy
When I first arrived to Amsterdam, I was intrigued by the local perception of Amsterdam Noord. It seemed to me that, although Noord was a short ferry ride away from the center, Amserdamers are inclined to perceive it as remote. The mental distance between Amsterdam Central and Amsterdam Noord seemed to be way bigger than the physical one.

One evening an interesting conversation led me to the song “I am bored, I am bored in Amsterdam Noord”, which was made in the late 1970s by singer/songwriter Harry Slinger.
I asked to meet him and Harry met me to share some stories about his musical path and his experience in Noord at a time when “a song of action was needed”!
Below is an excerpt of our conversation.

M: Can you start by introducing yourself. and how you ended up bored in amsterdam noord?

H: I was born in 1949 at the Bloemgracht in the Jordaan. Eventually I started a part-time education in social studies, which led me to take a job as a youth counsellor in Amsterdam Noord. At the time everyone around me thought I was crazy for wanting to work with the ‘scum’ in Noord, but it felt like the right thing to do. After all, I was a street brat myself! And this is how I started in the youth center of de Banne Buiksloot.

Problems soon began with unemployment, the low amount of facilities, bad schools, the shipyards closed down, the Ford factory went broke, all from 1975-1980. The big problem was that there were all these separate little villages – blauwe zand, floradorp, tuindorp oostzaan, tutti-frutti neighborhood – with youth focusing all their aggression on each other rather than the government. Poor people often don't blame the rich, they blame each other.

Then some sociology students came to Noord, they started a project, JAN, Jongeren Amsterdam Noord (Youth Amsterdam Noord) meant to unite youth counsellors. But a song of action was needed. I wrote the lyrics for the song, and they were the first lyrics i ever wrote. The radio stations were crazy about it, and all of a sudden it became a hit. and then we took a flatbed boat, loaded it with local youth and the band, then went to city hall at the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, the old city hall, with it and played the song for the city counsellor, pleading for something to be done about the situation in Noord.

Back then, it was still a very leftwing time, very socialism oriented, and the city counselor at that time, Jan Schaefer, was known for: “In gelul kun je niet wonen” (you can’t live in bullshit) made it possible for change to happen. It all went a lot better, investments were made into Noord, but then Lubbers came into office, and CDA and VVD became the ruling parties, and then a lot of the changes were turned back.

M: Does the song still apply to the situation today?

H: Yes.. Well, for centuries Noord has been the drain of Amsterdam (afvoerputje) You know Floradorp? It’s at the Sneeuwbalweg, near the Floraparkbad. The area there, there used to have a wall around, like the wall israel built at Palestine. They did this because the people in there didn’t fit in socially, they were outcasts of society.

M: if you were to rewrite the song now, Do you think you’d add more complaints?

H: I would first talk to the youth and ask them what their complaints are now, maybe they’d rather use twitter. But I don’t think it will be very different. I think the worst thing possible is when as a kid you feel like you have no opportunities, that you are put at a disadvantage, that life has nothing to offer for you. but this is not only true for Amsterdam Noord, I think this would be the same in Cairo, in South Africa, South America, you name it, if young people have this feeling that they don’t have a future, then we as adults have failed.

M: How do you see the future of Amsterdam Noord?

H: Well, I think if the media are settling there, that the people who work at these media companies, these are people who are more focused outwardly. They pick up things that they see, I think this is a good development. It’s different than a bus driver who lives there.
My son is working there now at a media company, he’s an editor. And now he also wants to live in Noord, and that might be a good thing. A certain crowd is settling there voluntarily, and this is of course a very different development. Just the fact that you are interviewing and making a travel guide that is focused on Amsterdam Noord, this is of course great! I think if the inhabitants of Amsterdam Noord knew this, well they wouldn’t give a statue immediately of course, but well...*chuckles*

M: So if a young band from Amsterdam Noord wanted to make a new version of the song, would you be interested ?
H: yeah, are you going to sing it in English then?
M: No, in dutch, maybe in Arabic, ye!
H: You sing it in Arabic? *smiling*
M: I think there is an arabic scene in Amsterdam Noord. And I think if we managed to do this in a short time-
H: - It’s not a problem that I’m a jewish father?
*laughter*
M: No it’s not a problem! Have you been to the Middle East, Israel?
H: No!
M: are you religious?
H: Me? no no, I don't believe in anything! Life is beautiful, but meaningless.
M: And this is the beauty of it.
H: Yes! *laughing* I’m happy.

nammi fikrak van Fareeq el Atrash

2010-09-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

nammi fikrak van Fareeq el Atrash

The physical and the mental distance

2010-09-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

Interview with: Mahmoud Hamdy
By: Alberto Marchioretto

While healing himself with healthy tomato juice, Egyptian artist Mahmoud Hamdy speaks about integration, swings and the psychotherapy that Noord needs.

How do you relate as an artist to the Noord (North Amsterdam) project?

I find the project very interesting. I have never worked with mapping before and I am discovering that it can really be a stimulating process. As long as you are mapping a specific place you are not only understanding things about the place in itself, you're understanding new things about yourself. Normally, when you visit a place, you just follow random patterns of interaction. It's only when you're mapping that you become aware of being a tourist exploring new spaces and of these patterns. I'm truly enjoying letting the tourist part of myself come out to explore Noord.

What has fascinated you about Noord and its relations with the city?

Coming from Cairo, where every movement within the city takes you at least one hour, I was very surprised by the mental distance which seems to exist amongst Amsterdammers of the centre and the people living in Noord. Even though it takes you only a three minutes long ferry trip, the imaginary gap in people’s mind appears to be way bigger.

Is this psychological distance part of your project?

In structuring my project, I imagine Noord as being a child. If a child has a certain type of complexity, you ought to look at and understand its parents in order to understand him or her. In this case Amsterdam is the parent and Noord is the neglected, abused child that needs a sort of psychoanalysis. I will try to graphically represent a historical timeline that analyzes the relations within this ‘dysfunctional family’. Thus, trying to find out what the key points are of the history of the city, which have shaped the relationship between the two parts. The outcome will be a moving, hopefully interactive, picture. I don’t like static mapping, in reality maps are anything but static, because the geography changes endlessly. Nothing is fixed when it comes to mapping.

As the other participants of Noord, you have been living in the neighbourhood since June. What inspires you in this borough?

At the beginning I was attracted by NDSM, because it is made to be attractive to artists and art lovers. However, after two months living there, I really appreciate the neighbourhood Van Der Pek, where we are staying. What I really like is the peculiar vibe that you can feel. In the monotonous of the housing - all being social houses, they're all alike - people are sitting outside in their swings, children are playing, doors are open. I love it!! Also, I am appreciating it more, because I believe that in no more than 10 years, with all the renovation plans that are going on, not so much of it will remain there probably.

What do you think about the gentrification that is taking place?

More money coming in means less village and more city vibe. Hence more tourists and potential customers will come pouring in. I see why the government and businesses see it as extremely positive, but do the Dutch families need and want it? I am not so sure. Government sees it as a good thing, the local population, however, as something bad. As an artist you stay in the middle, being aware of both the points of view. Nevertheless, for this project, I am taking the side of Noord all the way and will ,therefore, go in a direction that might even offend the people of Amsterdam. Be that as it may, I really sympathize with this ‘little child’ that was raised in a dysfunctional way and I want to point out the deficiencies of its parents.

The metro is an interesting project. It has been planned following only the axes north-south, completely ignoring the east-west of Noord. It is clear that it is not meant to serve Noord people to move faster. It is only trying to trick the psychological distance 't IJ creates between the city. No more ferry, no more changing of scenery.

You hear a lot about Noord being very multicultural. What have you noticed about integration when it comes to the immigrants from the different nationalities and the Dutch natives??

It really seems as such. Lots of races and religions living together without having any mayor problem. But is there real integration? Or is there mere tolerance? Are people only able to live together as long as they are not forced to interact? Politely neglecting each other more than harmoniously sharing their lives? I wonder!!

Rosangela

2010-08-28T07:05:00.003-07:00

Rosangela, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

Karim

2010-08-28T07:05:00.001-07:00

Karim, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

Fish A la Noord

2010-08-28T04:42:00.000-07:00

Shell Research site a few days earlier!

2010-08-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

Tearing-down & Angling!

2010-08-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

This location is formerly known as the Shell site. The activities on this site used to focus on research and development of technology in the oil, gas, 'green' fuel and petrochemical industries. Shell moved to a New Technology Centre, which freed up space for building a new part of Amsterdam Noord! Named after the striking tower, Overhoeks will be a place to live, work, visit, go out and enjoy leisure activities, but this is only in the future! but In the meantime, some northern kids are Angling, hoping to catch a fish!

KEEP CALM AND KEEP CALM AND KEEP CALM..etc!

2010-08-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

CONTEMBREE ARRT!

2010-08-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

A narrow view of A'dam Noord!

2010-08-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Amsterdam Noord as a test lab.

2010-08-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

The more i analyzes and explores Noord (North Amsterdam), the more i realizes that it are the conceptions & opinions people from the city center have about Noord that shape the borough.
Over the course of history, Noord was used as an experimental field on either social, industrial or commercial field.

My Project is aiming to portray the relation between Amsterdam Noord and Amsterdam center as the relation between parents and their neglected child!

الشحوح ريمكس

2010-07-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

الفيديو الأصلي

Cut // Copy concert at Paradiso - Amsterdam

2010-07-23T05:49:00.000-07:00

Paradiso.nl

CUT//COPY

1st of July, 1st day, 1st bike accident in Amsterdam!

2010-07-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

9:35P.M. Noord Amsterdam!

2010-07-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

This Picture was taken in Turkish Restaurant (Cafeteria) in Noord Amsterdam.
My mind still resisting the fact that the sun goes down every day at 10:00 PM!!

Osama!

2010-07-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

Me: Hi, how are you? i'm mahmoud
simona: makhmood? nice to meet you! I'm simona!
Osama: hi simona, im Osama!
simona: Osama?!
Osama: yeah!
simona: Osama as "Osama" !?
Osama: YES!
simona: Oh.. nice to meet you!

2010-07-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

Mapping for Tourists

Opening exhibition and launch travel guide

4 sept 2010 Mediamatic BankMediamatic Bank, Vijzelstraat 68, 1017 HL, Amsterdam Kaart Door: Stichting Mediamatic, +31206389901, www.mediamatic.net/Stichting Mediamatic

Mapping for Tourists is an international project. Ten Egyptian and Lebanese artists and graphic designers will spend July and August living in Noord. They will map the visible and invisible locations, people and data flows, and explore the history and future of this peripheral borough. This work will result in an exhibition, and in the first ever Arabic travel guide.

Laat mij leven, illustration by Ganzeer -
"My first Noord-inspired sketch (digitally-altered), which most likely will have nothing whatsoever to do with the actual project I'm gonna do here, because I think I want to do something that involves the ferries." Ganzeer says on his blog.

met:

Bliss Street Misnomer by Lara Balaa

Poster using Fedra Arabic / Lego and Photography - Photography by Karen Kalou - Artwork commissioned by Xanadu for the launch of Typographic Matchmaking 01 (2007)

Mapping

Traditional cartography aims to generalize, project and communicate. The maps we've grown up with, contain fixed geographical, political and economical information set in a distinct time span. But whenever you visit an unfamiliar town, you soon realize the map you used to get there could never have prepared you for what you were going to encounter. There is a gap between the visual representation of a location, and the actual situation.

That's where mapping comes in. For us, mapping is about making the invisible visible. It aims to represent data flows rather than statistics. It concerns itself with psycho-geography, rather than with the representation of generalized regions and nationalities. In contrast to traditional geography, mapping has the capacity to decentralize and democratize. Mapping concerns real and imaginary experiences and usages of space. It has the power to not only show alternative views of the world, but also change local and even international policy.

Nasr City, Osama Dawod -2005 C-print, 50x70 cm

Amsterdam Noord

Amsterdam Noord used to be an execution sight. The then small island called Volewijck existed of a big well that the dead bodies were thrown in. Some would argue Noord actually hasn't changed that much. The borough is still peripheral in the Amsterdam imaginary. Despite numerous urban renewal projects, Noord has had a hard time shaking off her bad image. During the second world war many houses were bombed, only to be replaced after the war with large housing blocks. The shipping industry disappeared in the sixties, leaving thousands of people unemployed. Today, Noord has the highest rate of unemployment, the most PVV (read: extreme right political party) voters, but also the highest number of Egyptian citizens. Noord is a conflict area.

And where there's conflict, there's art. Since the nineties, artists and cultural entrepreneurs have been heading north. They have turned parts of Noord into bubbling cultural areas, attracting nomadic artists and media companies alike. Noord sees a mixture of urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods, and houses top politicians, working class single moms and young artists. Amsterdam Noord serves as a pars pro toto for The Netherlands.

Volewijck, Oud Noord -Old drawing of what Amsterdan Noord used to look like. This is the well they would hang the criminals from. Quite handy: after they died, they could cut the rope and the bodies would fall in the well. Found on the City Archive website.

Flip-side, by Ahmed Kamel -Flip-side. Graphic design, 2007. Done for: New web pick / Connection - Issue 03 “Made in Egypt” Online Magazine

The tourists

Mapping is all about allowing for different point of views and different truths to live side by side. Free from all preconceptions, who better to map Noord than a group of outsiders? Mediamatic went on a quest to find the best designers and artists to shed a new light on our favorite borough. A group of people who are critical, communicative, but also true tourism professionals. We couldn't help but ending up in Cairo, the city with the most travel agents in the world. From their northern neighbor Beirut, we took the best graphic designers the Arabic world houses.

Ganzeer

Mohammed Fahmy, aka Mofa, prefers to go by the name Ganzeer. And although the number of aliases a man has is usually no guarantee for the number of talents he possesses, there are exceptions. Ganzeer is a keen illustrator, graphic designer, writer and video artist. Based in Cairo, his art aims to express and comment on local and global issues, societies, and cultures.

Malak Helmy

Originally from Alexandria, Malak Helmy spent her teens in Doha, Qatar. At the American University in Cairo, she majored in visual arts and Islamic art and architecture. Her work concerns itself with art and public space, the urban landscape, human interaction, and audience participation and engagement. Her work has been shown in Egypt, Bangladesh and Finland.

Ganzeer at Palace of the Arts, Cairo -Shooting Up Yours, during a One-Minute Film workshop at the Townhouse Gallery, Cairo, April, 2008

Nasr City, Osama Dawod -Nasr City, 2005. C-print, 50x50 cm

Osama Dawod

Osama Dawod received his Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute, where he majored in photography. Politics and its effect on people have been continuing subjects in his work. He has captured the impact of climate change on Egypt, and photographed protesters at a G8 summit. Dawod has exhibited his work in his home country Egypt, as well as in Europe and Asia.

Poster on Economic Migration -The Sea Harlem Studio Fellowship: Osama Dawod, Issa Nyphaga, Susy Blu, Stefan Barbic. Picture by Stefan Barbic, found on Flickr/

Mahmoud Hamdy

Mahmoud Hamdy is a Cairo-based artist, plunging in and out of photography, graphic design, installation art and typography. After having studied animation, he co-founded the progressive design firm File Club Studio. Since 2009 he has been in charge of Dalton Maag's Cairo office, where he supervises the design of Arabic fonts. Hamdy's work has been shown at international festivals and exhibitions.

Ayman Ramadan

Originally from the Nile Delta, Ayman Ramadan moved to Cairo at the age of eighteen, and started working for Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art soon after. His work ranges from minimalist sculptures to photography and performances. It touches on concepts of memory and tradition, politics, class and religion.

Kareem Lotfy

Artist, musician and graphic designer Kareem Lotfy was born in Cairo. He released an album on the 100copies label, entitled Dirty Zeyda. His art work has been exhibited in various galleries in UK, Singapore, Germany, Greece and Egypt, and is inspired by mass media and dominating audio-visual culture. His work varies from glitch- and sound art, to applications and illustrations.

Work by Kareem Lotfy

The Graphic Design Team

Khajag Apelian / KJ

KJ is an Armenian Lebanese who was born in the United Arab Emirates. In 2007 he received his BA in graphic design from Notre-Dame University. Two years later he received his MA in type design from KABK (Academy of Art, The Hague). Based in The Netherlands, he has worked in Dubai en Beirut, and his work has been part of publications like Arabesque, Graphic Design from the Arab World and Persia.

Lara Balaa

Lara Balaa was born and raised in Beirut. She received her BA in graphic design at the American University of Beirut, and her MA in international communication management at The Hague University. She has worked in advertising and for various creative agencies. Balaa knows her way around visual communication and Arabic type design, as well as communication research and advice.

Poster design by Lara Balaa -Al-Ghad font used on an Arabic Poster on censorship of cultural expression in the Middle East - Poster designed by Lara Balaa. Lara is one of the participating artists in Mapping for Tourists. Image from Tarek Atrissi's blog.

Facade -One of the serie C-prints by Osama Dawod, Cairo, 2005.

Lynn Amhaz

Lynn Amhaz is a Lebanese artist based in Beirut. She graduated from the Lebanese American University, majoring in Graphic Design. She is particularly interested in illustration and type. She has designed books, posters and magazines, and participated in a number of workshops, amongst which a workshop given by illustrator, author and character designer Titus Ackerman.

Sela type by Lynn Amhaz

Engy Aly

Engy Aly is a graphic designer specialized in patterns and typography. She has participated in numerous art and design exhibitions across Africa, Asia and Europe. Her work is very colorful and fresh, and combines Western and Arabic elements.

Female Owl by Engy Aly

Ahmed Kamel

Although he majored in painting at Helwan University, Cairo, in recent years Ahmed Kamel has been turning heads as a photographer. His work is highly personal: by placing his subjects in an intimate environment, his pictures deal with class, social status, and relationships. Kamel has participated in film and photography workshops, and was artist in residence in Germany and Switzerland.

Exhibitionteam

Willem Velthoven (director)
Jans Possel (director)
Femke Vos (projectmanager)
Amber Verstegen (projectassistent)
Ista Boszhard (researchteam)
Julia Luczywo (researchteam)
Tommy (website)
Alberto (reporter)
Bas van den Broeke (communication)
Dido Reijntjes (communication)
Evelyn Austin (web-editor)
Lars Wannop (graphic design)

More information

The project kicks off during Map Fest, on July 6th, 8th and 9th . Full of fresh ideas and insights, the artists will commit themselves to mapping Amsterdam Noord. The artists from the Middle East will be living and working in Noord. The various mappings will be presented in a publication and exhibition at Mediamatic Bank on 4 September, 2010.

Aufgepasst! -By Mahmoud Hamdy, A Docu-feature (Public intervention), 2005

Street Typography and Urban Rockabilly

2010-03-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.mediamatic.net/page/140568/en
Whether it is graphic or font design, photography or installation art, Mahmoud Hamdy’s practice probes and pushes boundaries, be that situations wherein the public and private sphere turn topsy-turvy, where audience participation and design improvisation merge, or where font is mixed with typical Cairo street credibility.

Amsterdam based artist SjocoSjon is fascinated by visual means meant to be used for the worship of persons, political movements, nationalities and religions. In his more recent works he tries to play with these visual means in relation to the message behind it: tribute and glory, in the past and in the present, in politics and in commerce.

Sina Khani will surprise you with a lecture performance called "The East is the Best": on good and bad art by good and bad artists from the Middle East. It includes a funny slideshow, informative video clips & intense music samples.

Location

Mediamatic BANK, Vijzelstraat 68, Amsterdam.

Opening Hours

The Salon starts at 8.30 pm. Free entrance.

Maison Hermès installation by Tokujin Yoshioka

2010-01-04T19:58:00.000-08:00

this film epitomizes the power of simplicity.

Tariq

2010-01-03T19:03:00.001-08:00

Tariq, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

Mariam

2010-01-03T19:02:00.001-08:00

Mariam, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

Lobna

2009-12-28T22:09:00.005-08:00

Lobna, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

Habiba

2009-12-28T22:09:00.003-08:00

Habiba, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

Lamis

2009-12-28T22:09:00.001-08:00

Lamis, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

jrj

2009-12-28T22:07:00.003-08:00

jrj, originally uploaded by Moodselector.

Flickr

2009-12-28T22:07:00.001-08:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Turquoise is the color of the year for 2010.

2009-12-22T19:25:00.001-08:00

A Must-See film!

2009-12-21T18:05:00.000-08:00

Avatar from Кот да Винчи on Vimeo.

my Flickr!

2009-12-19T17:20:00.000-08:00

Blog Outside The Box

2009-12-11T17:40:00.001-08:00

outside the box from joseph Pelling on Vimeo.

Visiting Moving Brands today!

2009-10-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

www.movingbrands.com

2009-09-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

New team members

This month we are delighted to welcome two new designers to Dalton Maag - Lukas Paltram from Austria, and Mahmoud Hamdy from Cairo.

Lukas is a graduate of the New Design University in St Pölten, Austria, where he studied graphic design and typography. After his graduation he joined Dalton Maag for a three month internship, during which he designed the Grueber font family and also helped us with some logo projects. It is not only his keen eye for design detail and diligent work ethic but his positive and friendly attitude that make him an excellent addition to our expert font design team.

Bruno met Mahmoud Hamdy for the first time when he visited Cairo earlier this year. At the time Mahmoud was running a successful design company, FC Studio. Meeting Mahmoud was timely as we want to strengthen our font library with Arabic designs, and to establish an office in the Middle East in order to be closer to our customers there. Mahmoud is currently visiting our London office for training and orientation, but later this year, when he returns he will be representing Dalton Maag at our new Cairo office.

check for more news about
http://www.daltonmaag.com/news/137.html

i won Nintendo Wii Console!

2009-09-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

I won Nintendo Wii From O2 Mobile company! shame on you mobinil!

nine-eleven!

2009-09-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

self portrait at "Rankin Live" a retrospective photography Exhibition!

2009-09-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

that was the best photography exhibition i've ever seen in my entire life!

http://www.rankinlive.com/

The Font War: Ikea Fans Fume over Verdana

2009-09-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1919127,00.html?cnn=yes

enjoy ya shabab

2009-08-26T19:02:00.001-07:00

These Are My Twisted Words

So here's a new song, called 'These Are My Twisted Words'.

We've been recording for a while, and this was one of the first we finished.
We're pretty proud of it.

There's other stuff in various states of completion, but this is one we've been practising, and which we'll probably play at this summer's concerts. Hope you like it.

Download the audio here or torrent here.

RadioHead

Synopsis!

2009-08-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

Actually, haven't got any chance until now to tell you a bit about London. the last couple of days since i came, i was trying to find my way into London. I have to say that everyday is a little bit better than the day before. i live in a very dodgy Area Called Brixton. the only good thing about it, that it's close to work. i have 2 flat mates they're quite nice actually but we don't meet a lot. my day basically is as the following: i wake up at 8 a.m (i know some of you might be laughing now! YES 8 a.m ) lewa7di tab3an bemosa3det el menabbeh, wel mobile, wel sa3a el CASIO el Water Resist. I drink my coffee, take the bus, go to office (and that's the best part so far about London) take my launch break around 1 pm. i go with Martin, an internship from Switzerland. than come back work until 5.30 and sometime 6 p.m.
after 6 p.m i try to catch any store or Bookshop and sometimes just discovering the city. then go home (make sure to be home abl 12a.m 3ashan mat'3azzesh :D ).
the house is BAD, 3andi Mice fi bait bas mish 3arif 3adadhom kam until now!

i came last weekend, so i didn't start work immediately which was good to have some idea about the transportation and the city.

as you probably know London Underground system is the most complicated yet easy in the world. i take the tube to almost everywhere (i didn't go everywhere yet :) ) bas everywhere until now. i went to some places like the British museum, V&A Museum. and i won't make it for banksy's Exhibition!! ∑´∆^©∆ø∑π#ª¢€fuck#@£)£!@£*(@*$!!! i know bas the next weekend is the last one and it's in Bristol and will take me more than an hour i guess and i have to wait around 5 more hours in the line (dah fi 7aal inny wasalt 7 a.m) anyways i'm trying to find way to meet em personally!!

ahh and about work again.. the 1st day in work i was designing "n". yes the whole day :) lowercase "n" and i had to refine it the next day! the work rhythm in typeface design is completely different than the graphic design. it quite meditative actually but at the same time after 7 hours working on one letter you actually can't see any difference! so it make sense to go home and comeback next day "early".

love you guys, and forgive my english lao feh 7aga keda walla keda '3alat ana fil 2awal wel2a'7er masry we tool 3omry Mish 7afdal masry!
3ala nasyet takato3 Shakespeare Road, ma3a Coldharbour Lane, Brixton balad el melyon mogrem wa 3ahera :)

mood Selecror

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Yatara el aid deh misket aih :)?

Piccadilly.

British Museum.

Jazz band Katyan!

!

3asfoor engelezi '3etet 2awee, kool manadelo 3ashan yetsawar yebossely be2araf!!

Insulation at the British Museum.

Actually im in this Pic bas el ragil dah zahar fag2a we 3'atta 3alaya.
if you wanna find more about me in this pic bos 3ala el ezaaz or call 2212

mish 3arif el rafil dah beyakol ezzay??!

Dalton Maag office in london.

2009-08-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

the office.

Martin and Sherat

At work!

Lars von Trier's Antichrist.

2009-08-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

I just came out of the cinema after watching Lars Von Trier's last movie "Antichrist"!
that was by far the Darkest, Lustful and the heaviest movie i ever seen for Von Trier. some of my friends they consider "Dancer in the Dark" or "Dogville" very dark movies, even some of them they didn't actually continue these 2 movie til the end. So if you think the same, DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE!
No matter what people would say about this Film, Lars You are one of the best director i have ever seen! i wish i can meet you one day! :)

Flight number MS 777 plane number 777

2009-08-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

sitting in the driver seat but not driving!

2009-08-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the driver seat and not driving is my 1st London experience. Here i am, just arrived few hours ago. im in Dalton Maag now sitting on my new desk. it feels like the "charlie & chocolate factory" but instead of chocolate, typeface and fonts!!

Buying a gift to someone who doesn't exist!

2009-08-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

Today i went to buy some gifts to carry with me to London. The interesting part is that i don't know "yet" to whom i am going to give. In my world, until this moment, these people does not exist!

But actually each gift knows who it is going to end up with. It was shouting between the shelfs "Here i am, just buy me and don't worry about the rest. "

"i know who will going to like me and thank you for me. i know who I'll spend the rest of my life cycle with."

Lonely Planet

2009-08-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i bought Lonely planet Great Britain-travel
guide from "Diwan" bookstore. normally i don't like travel
guides but this time many of my friends convinced me to buy it.
i also don't like lonely planet books in general maybe
because i read the one about Egypt :) i felt that it's very
subjective but maybe because it's my country!
anyways here it is and I'll start to read a bit and
let you know later if it works.

The Ten Commandments

2009-08-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Thou shalt work hard.
Thou shalt ask every question on earth.
Thou shalt enjoy every moment.
Thou shalt go to Radiohead.
Thou shalt take care of oneself.
Thou shalt voice-chat with me for two hours at least twice a week.
Thou shalt not get sick, mugged, or get in a fight.
Thou shalt not spend too much money and be smart in purchasing decisions.
Thou shalt eat healthy, walk a lot and discover new music.
Thou shalt not waste time and feel that you need more.

COME HOME HAPPY AND SATISFIED
Love,
Mariam

TATTOO?

2009-08-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking of getting tattoo. im not sure if i'll actually going to do it. but im thinking...

here's some few things to remember:

The best tattoo artists will be busy, so it may take more than 3 days to get an appointment.

"Into You" at 144 St. John St., Clerkenwell, is perhaps the most famous parlour, but a few others include:

The Family Business Tattoo Shop
58 Exmouth Market
London EC1R 4QE

New Wave Tattoo Studio
157 Sydney Road, Muswell Hill
London N10 2NL

Evil from the Needle
232 Camden High Street
London NW1

101 things to do in london

2009-08-11T17:39:00.001-07:00

i've been surfing the web for quite sometime, trying to get an idea about london in order to save myself some touristic hassle. And regardless of where i'll end up in London, there's a list of things, all the websites mentioned that i can't miss when i'm there. of course i won't have time to do 20 % of it but i thought to write it down as a reminder in case i'll have time.

Visit the Big Ben.
Photograph the Thames River.
Take a river cruise on the Thames.
Visit the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. You can take a river cruise to get there!
Ride on the London Eye, the largest ferris wheel in the world.
Stop by Grosvenor Square.
Immerse yourself in culture at the British Museum.
Watch a Broadway show.
Buy gifts for friends and family at the over 300 shops located on Oxford Street.
Stroll down The Mall, a road that leads to the Buckingham Palace.
Visit the Buckingham Palace.
Experience the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Hike up the geometric staircase at a St. Paul's Cathedral tour.
Take a bus through one of London's largest transportation hubs: Victoria Station.
Pub much? Be sure to visit one of the J.D Wetherspoon chain pubs.
Take the London Underground: These trains have cushioned seats and there's a nice LED display overhead that gives riders the estimated time for the next train.
Make sure to "mind the gap."
Go on the Circle Line ... in a circle. (I did this in college.)
Witness the fountains in Trafalgar Square, or photograph the great Christmas tree that is erected during the winter months.
Tour the Tower of London, where you can see the very precious Crown Jewels.
Find out where British Prime Minister Gordon Brown lives: 10 Downing Street. Visit his residence.
Sherlock Holmes fan? Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
See hundreds of books, writings, and photographs related to the Holocaust at the Wiener Library.
Be amazed when you visit Stonehenge, which is outside the city.
Grab lunch at the Porter's English Restaurant (17 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden).
Enjoy the scenic nightlife in Piccadilly Circus, which is likened to the Times Square of England.
...and spend some time with the teenager in you at the Funland or Golden Nugget Casino located within Trocadero. The centre is packed with dining and other entertainmnent venues as well.
Visit the global headquarters of Reuters at Canary Wharf.
At the Victoria and Albert Museum, walk through rooms filled with ceramic and glass designs, as well as beautiful paintings.
Take the family and have a picnic in Battersea Park.
...then take the kids to the Battersea Park Children's Zoo.
Experience the diversity of the Golders Green borough, with a mix of Kosher, Japanese, Turkish, and Italian restaurants.
Get seen on the London cam.
Check out Belgravia's beautiful streets of townhouses and famous embassies.
Go shopping at Harrod's in Belgravia.
...and sample some ale at the Grenadier pub in Belgravia after you finished shopping (18 Wilton Row).
Stop through Bayswater.
Explore the galleries at the National Army Museum.
Set aside at least two hours to explore the extravagantly decorated rooms at the St. George's Chapel in the Windsor Castle.
Witness Evensong at the Windsor Castle. (Be sure to check the schedule!)
Embrace the vastness of Queen Mary's Dolls' House, which is also located inside the Windsor Castle.
Check out the wax sculptures at the Madame Tussaud's museum.
Step through the academic city by stopping in Bloomsbury.
...then enjoy the lunch you packed for your trip at Bloomsbury's nearby Russell Square.
Absorb the history of Covent Garden in central London.
Wake up early and experience the local flavor of Spitalfields and be sure to check out the fruit and vegetable market!
While in the Spitalfields area, go to Dennis Severs' House.
Explore the city by water (and in comfort) by taking a lunch or dinner cruise.
Learn about the Bank of England at its museum.
Set your sights on the beautiful architecture at Westminster Abbey.
...and be sure not to leave without viewing the monuments at Poets' Corner.
Relive the life of The Beatles.
See a show at the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
Buy your children toys from Hamleys Toy Store.
Go to Hampstead Heath to see the city from afar.
Catch a movie premiere at the cinema in Leicester Square.
Take a train to Dover, and witness the famous White Cliffs.
Witness the protestors at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, and take a guided tour or attend the London's fair during the winter holidays.
Prepapre for an expensive dinner at the highly regarded Michael Moore restaurant (19 Blandford Street).
Stroll down Whitehall.
Contrast the city lifestyle to the village life in Canterbury, home of Geoffrey Chaucer's famous tales.
See where the Mayor of London lives: City Hall.
Get overwhelmed by the massive monuments at the London Wall.
Photograph one of the many red phone booths on the city streets.
Read a book at one of London's specialized libraries.
If you're in London between March and October, check out Legoland Windsor with the kids.
Book a night for a show at the London Palladium Theatre.
Step into royal history at the Hampton Court Palace.
Enjoy an organic meal at the Lavendar Lady restaurant (644 High Road, North Finchley).
Stroll around the aisles in the National Gallery and see some of the greatest European artwork.
Wine and dine at the House on the Bridge Restaurant.
Take advantage of free admission to the Science Museum.
Pay tribute to the late princess Diana by visiting the Diana Memorial Playground where you can dash by teepees, see a pirate ship, and then enjoy a light meal at a cafe.
Relax and have a drink at the Salisbury Pub (90 St. Martin's Lane).
See the city on a Original London Sightseeing Tour: book your ticket (which includes a free cruise) online at a discounted rate.
Watch a judicial hearing at the UK Parliament.
When it reopens (Summer 2007), walk through the newly transformed London's Transport Museum.
See the animals at London Zoo.
Ride in a traditional London black cab.
Shop at the elegant Burlington Arcade, which has its history dating back to 1819.
See where Princes William and Harry went to school by stopping in Eton.
Be up close to The Da Vinci Code movie and explore the Temple Church.
Relive the Harry Potter books and movies by stopping at Platform 9 3/4 in the Kings Cross station.
See the exhibitions at Tate Modern, a museum of international modern and contemporary art.
Get spooked at the London Dungeon.
Visit the Notting Hill district.
Take the kids to a puppet show at the Little Angel Theatre.
Sample some Italian food at Carluccios.
Feed the ducks at St. James's Park.
Cross the River Thames on the Millennium Bridge.
Read Charles Dickens much? Take a Charles Dickens Museum stop to see paintings, manuscripts, and more memorabilia relating to the famous author.
Explore Chinatown at night.
Plan an adventure at Chesssington, one of England's most famous theme parks (it's 12 miles outside of London!)
Eat lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe (150 Old Park Lane).
Take a tour of Wimbledon, even if you don't love tennis!
Go to Bath and see the magnificent Roman bathing complexes that give the city its name.
Enjoy the culture at the Somerset House.
Feel scholarly after taking a trip to Oxford.
Buy some Cadbury sweets.
Watch a live Gilbert and Sullivan operetta performance at the historical Savoy Theatre.
Buy a London Pass for more tips and discounted rates!

10 days to go!

2009-08-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

In two weeks from now, i'll start my intensive training at Dalton Maag London. i'm not completely aware that in a few days from now i'll be watching the ceremony of Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Actually im not into this type of London but i'll have to see it anyways! i'm more into basement gigs, hip galleries, street performance and Banksy's art.

Flying to London!

2009-08-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Today i booked my flight ticket to London. About Less than two month ago, traveling to London was not even a dream!