Society. Spaces. Screens

Abstract

As an educator, graphic designer, and illustrator, I developed the Birds of Paradise project, drawing on the rich literary tradition of Islamic philosophical literature by exploring the classical poem Mantiq al-Tayr (The Conference of the Birds). Historically a text for adults, my project distilled this timeless story for a younger audience through the contemporary medium of collage, highlighting its universal themes of love, truth, and unity. The project explores the concept of ‘enchantment’—the idea that the mystical aspects of everyday life can challenge dominant power structures and inspire new ways of navigating both physical and digital worlds. The birds’ journey through the Seven Valleys, representing stages of love, understanding, and self-purification, mirrors the challenges we face in all aspects of life, such as how we teach, design, and live by our social values. These valleys symbolize themes like self-sacrifice, unity, and enlightenment, offering insights into fostering compassion, collective well-being, and environmental care. In The Conference of the Birds, the spiritual quest to find the Simorgh reflects a universal journey toward self-discovery and higher truths—timeless themes that remain relevant today. This proposal seeks to expand on this exploration, illustrating how narratives from diverse cultural perspectives can offer alternative solutions to global challenges. By integrating Islamic art, sacred geometry, and traditional storytelling, I aim to show how ‘peripheral perspectives’ can inform contemporary design, education, and care for the planet, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of reality.