The Culturist was launched in 2009 by Hind Mezaina. Based in Dubai, the blog features all things culture-worthy in Dubai and beyond, with a special interest in film, music, photography and travel.  

Listen to Hind Mezaina talk about the blog in an interview on Six Pillars Radio with Fari Bradley recorded in December 2015. 

Hind Mezaina is an artist, writer and film curator from Dubai. Working primarily in analogue photography and more recently in video, her practice delves into themes of collective memory, the notion of heritage, and depictions of the UAE in the media. You can see her artist portfolio here.

Mezaina is also the co-founder of Tea with Culture podcast, Moving Image Editor at Tribe, a non-profit publication and platform that focuses on photography and moving image from the Arab World.

She has curated film screenings for institutions, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, NYUAD Art Gallery, Sharjah Art Foundation, The Africa Institute, Alliance Française Dubai, Jameel Arts Centre and ArteEast.

Twitter: @hindmezaina
Instagram: @hindmezaina
Email: hind[dot]mezaina[at]gmail[dot]com

Blog Awards and Nominations:

Stylist Arabia Social Media Awards 2016

The Culturist was nominated in the Lifestyle category of the first Stylist Arabia Social Media Awards.

du Social Media Awards 2013

The Culturist won Best Blogger Award in the second du Social Media Awards.  

Official Honoree of the 2012 Webby Awards

The Culturist was selected as an Official Honoree of the 16th Annual Webby Awards in the Blog - Cultural category. 

The 2011 Bloggies

The Culturist won Best Asian Weblog in the 2011 Bloggies.