Lylat Al-Tathany (ليلة التثنى)
Mediums: Brewed coffee, coffee grinds, metallic powder, and oil paint on canvas
Video Duration: 3:06 minutes
Music: Lama Bada Yatathanna by Lena Chamamyan (When One Begins to Sway) & Alf Lela w Lela by Um Kulthum (A Thousand and One Nights)
Part I: Concept and Preparation
The piece begins with the concept of a belly dancer representing awakened femininity. Brewed coffee is chosen as the initial medium due to its absorbency, natural tones, and ability to create layered textures. Working on an unprimed canvas allows the coffee to soak into the surface, producing depth and fluidity. A light pencil sketch of the dancer’s outline establishes basic proportions and gestures while leaving room for spontaneity.
Part II: Coffee Application and Performance
During the performance, brewed coffee is applied directly to the sketched figure using bare hands. The background is darkened afterward with coffee to enhance contrast. Metallic powder is applied to the dancer’s body to emphasize contours and highlights. Coffee grinds mixed with liquid coffee are sprinkled on the background, forming natural textures as they dry. The performance is guided by the music, which influences gesture and timing.
Part III: Layering and Refinement
After the initial coffee layers dry, additional layers are applied to deepen tone and enhance form. This process is repeated three to four times, gradually building depth while preserving texture. The canvas is then sealed with clear gel gloss, which protects the coffee layers and creates a stable surface for oil paint.
Part IV: Oil Painting Process
Oil paint is applied intuitively, guided by the canvas. The dancer is outlined in deep coffee-brown oil, and color is added to the skirt to introduce visual variety. The composition is continuously assessed for movement and balance. Additional oil layers, brushwork, and metallic highlights are applied iteratively until the figure comes alive through gesture, color, and texture.
Part V: Movement, Finalization, and Personal Gesture
To convey movement, brushstrokes become more spontaneous, with gold metallic paint emphasizing highlights and the dancer’s flow. Final handprints are stamped on the corner as a personal signature and record of the performative process. The completed piece integrates coffee, metallic powder, and oil paint to create a figure that is dynamic, fluid, and expressive.
Materials and Techniques Summary
-
Canvas: Unprimed cotton canvas for absorption and layered media.
-
Coffee: Brewed coffee applied with hands; multiple layers for depth; coffee grinds for texture.
-
Metallic Powder: Applied selectively to enhance highlights.
-
Clear Gel Gloss: Seals coffee layers and provides a workable surface for oils.
-
Oil Paints: Deep coffee-brown for outlines; gold metallic and other colors for highlights; applied intuitively.
Techniques: Hand application of coffee, layering, metallic highlights, sealing with gel gloss, responsive oil painting, final handprints.