Synopses & Reviews
An interdisciplinary study on design and visual culture in Pakistan, this book reflects social, commercial and geo-political changes influencing this region. It documents contemporary visual vernacular and provides an overview of the impact of diverse cultures assimilated over several millennia. A broad horizon of graphic expression is addressed: from architectural calligraphy to postage stamps, from steatite seals of the Indus valley culture (4000 BC) and coinage to Mughal manuscripts and cinema posters. Historic evidence is fused with contemporary expression, as well as "fine arts" with "applied arts."
Over 30 contributions from leading experts are organized into five sections. "Dekh Magar Pyar se" (Look, but with Love) consists of indigenous popular icons, a majority drawing heavily from religion and mythology. "Read" covers typography depicted by the Urdu, Persian, Arabic and English languages and script. "Be Pakistani, Buy Pakistani" celebrates consumer culture providing critique of some of the local retail packaging. "Pakistan Zindabad" (Long Live Pakistan) offers insight into the construct of a national graphic identity after its Independence in 1947. Pre-partition Perspective is structured chronologically and offers an illustrated history of the region.
It is a sourcebook for designers, artists as well as students of communication and culture.
About the Author
Saima Zaidi, a Communications Designer, studied at the National College of Arts, Lahore and the Pratt Institute, New York. She teaches Typography and History of Design at the Department of Visual Studies, University of Karachi.
Table of Contents
Part I: Dekh Magar Pyar Se1. Aina, Hasan Zaidi
2. Ru Kitch--Photography Backdrops, Malcolm Hutcheson
3. Rehmat Ka Sayah 'In the Shadow of Mercy', Jurgen Wasim Frembgen
4. The Journey (Buraq - Jhoolay Lal - Zuljinnah), Durre S. Ahmed
5. Popular Unpopular--Truck and Miniature, Imran Qureshi / Nazish Ataullah
6. W-11, Amean Jan
7. Faalnama, Adeela Suleman
8. Political Symbols, Saima Zaidi
9. Horsemen and Saviours, Michel Boivin
10. The Mace and Sceptre (Pehelwaan Posters), Aasim Akhtar
Part 2: Read
11. Calligraffiti, Arif Mehmood
12. Not Reading the Writing on the Wall, Jamal J. Elias
13. Jang, Aasim Sajjad Akhtar
14. Ijtima, Sohail Zuberi
15. Heroes and Zeroes, Durre S. Ahmed
Part 3: Be Pakistani, Buy Pakistani
16. Tibet Talcum Powder, Durriya Kazi
17. Heavenly Ornaments--Najo Mehndi, Naiza Khan
18. Drink of the East! Rooh Afza, Zarminae Ansari
19. Karachi through green tinted bottles, Mariam Ali Baig
Part 4: Pakistan Zindabad
20. Beyond the Symbolic to the Significant, Ayesha Jalal
21. Quaid-i-Azam, S. Akbar Zaidi
22. Currents in Currency--Currency Notes, Quddus Mirza
23. Brand Take-off! Pakistan Airlines, Faraz Maqsood Hamidi
24. Postage Stamps, Adil Salahuddin/Rubina Saigol
Part 5: Pre-Partition
25. Arts and Crafts, Nadeem Omar
26. Labels of Safety Matches, Lutfullah Khan
27. Khamsa of Nizami--Mughal Manuscripts, Akbar Naqvi
28. Guru Nanak Shah Faqir, Francisco Jose Luis
29. Coins, Asma Ibrahim
30. Storyboards in Stone--Gandhara, Ivana Prazic
31. Indus Valley Seals, Mark J. Kenoyer
32. Billboards, Arif Hasan