The Persistence of Memory Bil Khat Al Arabi

This artwork is part of a new collection by Rabih Yehya - MZIJ entitled "Contemporary Rebirth" that includes mixed media paintings with augmented reality. The collection explores the duality of classic versus modernity and culture versus technology. Four iconic masterpieces, drawn by the Master Painters of their era, are brought to life with Arabic calligraphy: Vincent van Gogh - The Starry Night; Pablo Picasso - Dora Maar; Salvador Dali - The Persistence of Memory; and Gustav Klimt - The Kiss. The result is four classic paintings redrawn with modern Arabic calligraphy and beautified with augmented reality in the form of animated video and Instagram filter.

"Adding a new dimension to an iconic masterpiece with Arabic calligraphy is the essence of this collection and what makes it truly special." ~ Rabih Yehya.

From the Contemporary Rebirth collection by Rabih Yehya – MZIJ, this reinterpretation of Dalí’s surrealist masterpiece uses Arabic calligraphy to mirror the distortions of time and memory. The fluid script blends into the melting landscapes and warped clocks, transforming the desert of dreams into a calligraphic terrain. Here, language flows like time - soft, elastic, and haunting.

As Dr. Pamela Chrabieh notes, "This work echoes the exhibition’s core theme: the body as a canvas where time, culture, and experience imprint themselves. Through animated layers and immersive AR, the piece invites viewers to step into a liminal space where memory and identity dissolve and reassemble - just like the self in an ever-shifting world."

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Scan the artwork with your phone's camera using an app, you will see the painting come to life with a dynamic animation that includes interactive elements and audio effects.