Design Dispatch | Poster T-shirts by Mobius | Abu dhabi | 2023

“The T-shirt tells tales” – El Teir El Akhdar

The inaugural edition of Design Dispatch draws its inspiration from the exceptional Mohieddine Ellabbad’s acclaimed book series, Notebook for Girls and Boys, particularly the edition titled T-shirt, by inviting designers to embark on a journey of interpretation and expression, using their unique perspectives and design sensibilities to conceptualize monumental T-shirts that amplify the impact and potential of this wearable art form. Design Dispatch provides a platform for designers to respond to Ellabbad’s thought-provoking questions.

Teir El Akhdar / طير الأخضر for “The T-shirt tells tales” — selected theme from El Labbad’s edition of T-shirt magazine, for the design commission of Design Dispatch curated by Mobius Studio at Manarat AlSaadiyat.

This t-shirt pays homage to the rich storytelling tradition within our heritage with a focus on my connection with my grandmother, Omaya. The graphic centers around ‘Teir el Akhdar’ - a tale of a boy’s transformation into a singing green bird to reveal a hidden truth. The T-shirt focuses on the concept of storytelling featuring two pivotal characters, the green bird and Omaya, the narrator/storyteller. The auditory elements depicted symbolize the intimate and meaningful interactions between the listener and my grandmother, Omaya, the storyteller and protagonist.

Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
December 12, 2023 - February 29, 2024