In her talk, Bahia Shehab presents her forthcoming book “A Trade in Dreams – A Century of Egyptian Print Advertising”. It offers an overview of roughly a century of Egyptian print advertising, showing how ads in newspapers and magazines have been designed since the early 20th century and how they reflect broader social developments. Key themes include modernity, consumer culture, gender roles, and national identity. Drawing on numerous visual examples, Shehab analyzes the development of typography, visual language, and design in Egypt, shaped by both Islamic visual traditions and Western influences. The book connects cultural history with design research and highlights that advertising not only sells products, but also shapes ideas, desires, and ways of life.
The event takes place at the MK&G Freiraum and takes the form of a lecture and book presentation in English. Admission is free, and no registration is required.
