A Childhood in the Middle East, 1978–1992

The Arab of the Future is a touching memoir by talented illustrator and storyteller Riad Sattouf. Published in 2015 by Two Roads and presented over 4 volumes in graphic novel format, The Arab of the Future is an unforgettable story of Riad’s extraordinary childhood.

Born in France to an excentric Syrian father and bookish French mother, Riad’s parents soon relocate to Ter Maaleh near Homs, a Syrian village, to be close to his father’s family. Here, Riad visually documents his earliest memories which are powerfully influenced though his father’s bond with his native country. While Riad’s mother struggles with the way of life in her husband’s village, the political juxtaposition between each of his parents homeland becomes raw and apparent.

Reading the story of Riad’s youth was an educational, gripping and moving experience for me. Through the innocent eyes of an altogether happy child, human relations, religious prejudice and parental love are wonderfully laid bare. There are lessons in this story; acceptance, humour, understanding and tollerance.

Riad Sattouf’s illustrative style is simple, engaging and clever. His pen, ink and colour-coded shadow technique conveys a complex subject with tenderness and emotional accuracy. The dialogue is to the point, relevant and visually interesting.

Learn more about this unique set of graphic novels by watching an excellent interview with Riad Sattouf below. Especially interesting is the developmental presentation of the complex man who is Raid’s well-educated father who only wants the best for his young son while living in a challenging cultural environment.

The Arab of the Future (vols 1-4) is available at Two Roads, or (if you’re lucky like me) at your local library.

First published 2019 by Metroplitan Books

I have just finished reading Permanent Record by Edward Snowden. Wow.

Written with wit, grace, passion and unflinching candour, Mr Snowden has written a crucial memoir for our digital age. In this book, Snowden reveals how he helped build a mass surveillance system and why he was so profoundly moved to expose it.

Privacy is not a given. It must be claimed.

Edward Snowden

Permanent Record helps to explain the techincal details involved with end to end file sharing, encryption, the early internet, data storage and system configurations. I found this to be a an important component in learning more about Snowden’s incredibly brave journey.

Launched in 1985, the Amiga ushered in a new age of home computing. With its powerful 16-bit Motorola CPU and custom graphics and audio chipsets, it was an instant hit among gamers looking to move on from the eight-bit systems, as well as artists and musicians moving into the digital realm.

The Commodore Amiga was a huge influence for me when in my final year of Graphic Design studies in Auckland (1990). Deluxe Paint II, with it’s intuitive interface and animation capabilities opened up a world of creative endevour which continues to this day.

Commodore Amiga: a Visual Commpendium, published by Bitmap Books in the UK, is a gorgeous walk down memory lane.

Book specifications
424 pages. 170mm x 230mm, Lithographic print, Double thick cover, Sewn binding, Spot varnish cover, Spot varnish dust jacket, shrink wrapped.

Triennial is a stunning exhibition of installations by over 100 artists and designers from 32 countries. On show at the  National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Triennial surveys the world of art and design, across cultures, scales, geographies and perspectives.

The NGV Triennial explores cutting edge technologies, architecture, animation, performance, film, painting, drawing, fashion design, tapestry and sculpture.

Visitors have an opportunity to look at the world and its past, present and future through the eyes of some of the most creative minds working today.

Triennial is an incredibly worthwhile visit and very rewarding experience.

Launched in 2010 by writer and curator Christopher Jobson, Colossal is one of the largest visual art, design, and culture blogs on the web reaching an audience of 2-3 million visitors every month.

Colossal pride themselves in celebrating the work of both established and emerging artists across a vast field of creative endeavors, featuring 5,000+ articles on fine art, crafts, design, animation, photography, street art, illustration, and architecture. The blog also explores the beauty of the natural world at the intersection of art and science.

Always on the hunt for outstanding inspiration, Envisage regularly follows This is Colossal.

Listening to relaxing music and informative podcasts on a daily basis form an important part of the creative process here at Envisage Design.

2017 was a busy year, and undoubtedly a year for many of us turning to a softer, more comforting style of music to help heal and escape the real world.

Now more than ever, people are connecting with ambient music, and and in the growing popularity of the genre in the wider-music spectrum.  Tune out (and tune in) to some of the best of Ambient 2017 in the SoundClould mix below.

Happy New Yeah everybody.

With thanks to http://www.astrangelyisolatedplace.com