Relay

About Relay

Relay, hosted by Raja Aderdor, is a podcast built around conversations with the people who shape publishing, art, and culture. In each episode, publishers, photographers, designers, artists, writers, and curators come together to reflect on their work, their creative processes, and the ideas that eventually take form in books, exhibitions, and printed matter. We are Clavis Aurea: a dynamic team of publishing professionals working on innovative marketing and communication in the industry. Based in Leiden, we eat, sleep, and breathe publishing.

Publisher

Clavis Aurea

Category

arts · arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Mar 2026

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   Artist-Run Spaces and Creative Community with Habeeb Abu-Futtaim, Gubgub Studios, Qatar

   In this episode of Relay, host Raja Aderdor speaks with Habeeb Abu-Futtaim from Gubgub Studios in a conversation that explores artist-run spaces, independent creative practice, and the role of community in building a more sustainable arts ecosystem in Qatar. Gubgub Studios is the first artist-run, affordable shared studio space for artists of all disciplines in Qatar. Beyond providing workspaces, it operates as an active community hub, offering events, mentorships, talks, exhibitions, screenings, workshops, and other forms of programming that support creative and professional development. Through peer exchange and connections with local, regional, and international practitioners, the space aims to help grow a vibrant grassroots arts scene. Together, Raja and Habeeb reflect on the importance of stable and accessible spaces where artists can maintain a continuous practice, collaborate, exchange ideas, and develop a culture of dialogue, critique, and mentorship. The discussion considers how shared resources, including studio spaces, workshops, photography and printing facilities, a library, and a flexible multipurpose space, can support artists across different disciplines and stages of their careers. The conversation also situates Gubgub Studios within Doha’s Industrial Area, where changing patterns of development and more affordable spaces create new possibilities for artist-led activity. It explores how artists can build connections with local fabricators, materials, and the surrounding industrial environment, while contributing to a more independent, visible, and sustainable creative community in Qatar. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts (https://clavisaurea.nl/podcasts/), explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea (https://clavisaurea.nl/) social media channels or contact the team directly.

2. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Photography, Documentation, and Cultural Memory with Ammar Alqamash, Qatar

   In this episode of Relay, host Raja Aderdor speaks with Ammar Alqamash, artist, creative director and the founder of Photo Art Qatar, in a conversation that explores photography as a form of documentation, interpretation, and cultural memory. Together, they reflect on the role of photography in recording people, places, and everyday life, considering how images move beyond individual moments to become part of a wider visual and cultural record. The discussion examines the relationship between the photographer and the subjects they document, and how perspective, intention, and context influence the stories that photographs communicate. The conversation moves across questions of visual culture and collective memory, exploring how photographs preserve experiences, shape understandings of place, and contribute to the ways communities remember and represent themselves. It also considers photography in Qatar and the responsibility involved in documenting cultural life as it continues to change. This episode is in collaboration with Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts (https://clavisaurea.nl/podcasts/), explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea (https://clavisaurea.nl/) social media channels or contact the team directly.

3. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Heritage, Architecture, and National Design Identity with Thabet S. Sultan, Iraq

   Thabet S. Sultan, an Iraqi architect and graphic designer, joins host Raja Aderdor in a conversation that explores architecture, visual identity, publishing, heritage, and the role of design in shaping national narratives. Thabet S. Sultan is a multidisciplinary designer whose work moves across architecture, graphic design, writing, publishing, and cultural documentation. His practice examines how design can communicate history, preserve collective memory, and contribute to the visual representation of a nation. Working across different forms and mediums, he approaches design not only as a professional discipline, but also as a way of engaging with culture, identity, and the social meaning of images, spaces, and symbols. Together, they reflect on Thabet’s creative journey and the experiences that have shaped his approach to architecture and visual communication. The discussion explores the relationship between built environments, graphic design, and publishing, considering how each can become a tool for documenting heritage and contributing to cultural discourse. It also examines the role of writing and publishing within his wider practice, and how designers can use these forms to express ideas, share critical perspectives, and participate in conversations about history, identity, and contemporary culture. The conversation also reflects on Thabet’s work as the designer of the Iraqi National Team jersey from 2021 to 2022. They discuss how football design can extend beyond sportswear to become an expression of national identity, collective pride, and cultural memory. Through this example, the episode considers how visual symbols circulate across public life and how design can represent a country on both local and international stages. Moving across architecture, publishing, graphic design, and football, the conversation explores how creative practice can operate across multiple disciplines while remaining connected to questions of heritage and belonging. It considers how designers navigate the relationship between historical references and contemporary expression, and how cultural identity can be preserved, interpreted, and communicated through spaces, publications, images, and objects. This episode is in collaboration with Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts (https://clavisaurea.nl/podcasts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea (https://clavisaurea.nl/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) social media channels or contact the team directly.

4. 

   6 Jun 2026

   Artistic Practice and Contemporary Identity with Fatima Al Yousef, Qatar

   In this episode of Relay, host Raja Aderdor speaks with Fatima Al Yousef, a Qatari artist and illustrator, in a conversation that explores artistic practice, visual storytelling, and the relationship between identity and contemporary art. Fatima Al Yousef is an artist whose work is deeply rooted in observation and lived experience. Working primarily through illustration and visual storytelling, she approaches her artistic practice as a way of documenting life, capturing significant moments, personal reflections, and the people and environments that shape her perspective. Her work contributes to wider conversations around visual culture, narrative, and the ways stories are communicated through images. Together, they reflect on Fatima's artistic journey, tracing the experiences and influences that have informed her work and creative development. The discussion examines how personal narratives, cultural context, and everyday observation become sources of artistic expression, while considering the role of storytelling across contemporary visual practice and creative publishing. It also explores how art can function as a form of documentation, preserving memories, experiences, and evolving understandings of identity. The conversation moves across questions of contemporary art and cultural expression, exploring the position of women artists within Qatar's creative landscape and the ways artistic practice can contribute to broader conversations about belonging, representation, and social change. It considers how artists navigate the relationship between personal experience and public engagement, and how visual narratives circulate across exhibitions, publications, and other cultural platforms. This episode is in collaboration with Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts (https://clavisaurea.nl/podcasts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea (https://clavisaurea.nl/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) social media channels or contact the team directly.

5. 

   8 May 2026

   Independent Publishing and Print Culture with Ben Marcus, Goodbye Press, United States

   Host Raja Aderdor speaks with Ben Marcus from Goodbye Press, in a conversation that explores the realities of independent publishing and the material and editorial processes that shape it. Based in Chicago, Goodbye Press is an independent publishing house known for its strong visual identity and commitment to print culture. Working across books, printed matter, and risograph production, the press operates at the intersection of publishing, design, and contemporary visual culture. Together, they reflect on the origins of Goodbye Press, tracing its evolution from an informal creative project into an established independent publishing house. The discussion examines the relationship between print production, editorial identity, and visual language, considering how small presses develop distinct publishing practices rooted in experimentation and creative commitment. It also highlights the role of risograph printing within independent publishing, and how material choices shape the way books are produced, circulated, and experienced. The conversation moves across questions of publishing ecosystems, exploring how independent presses operate not only as producers of books, but as spaces of collaboration, aesthetic inquiry, and cultural exchange. It considers how editorial and design decisions reflect broader ways of thinking, and how independent publishing can redefine the relationships between makers, texts, and audiences. This episode is in collaboration with Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts (https://clavisaurea.nl/podcasts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea (https://clavisaurea.nl/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) social media channels or contact the team directly.

6. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Regional Platforms and Emerging Publishing Models with Tasneem Hozein, 40MUSTAQEL, Egypt

   Host Raja Aderdor speaks with Tasneem Hozein from 40MUSTAQEL, in a conversation that explores the emergence of regional publishing platforms and their role within evolving media landscapes. Together, they reflect on the challenges of distribution, audience-building, and sustainability, considering what it takes to create independent platforms that can grow and endure. The discussion examines how regional initiatives navigate structural limitations while developing new pathways for circulation, visibility, and engagement. It also highlights the importance of centering regional voices, and how these platforms contribute to shaping cultural production from within their own contexts. The conversation moves across questions of media ecosystems, exploring how publishing platforms operate not only as channels of content, but as spaces of connection, experimentation, and community-building. It considers how ideas are developed and shared across audiences, and how independent initiatives can redefine the relationship between creators, publishers, and readers. This episode is in collaboration with Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts, explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea social media channels or contact the team directly.

7. 

   9 Apr 2026

   Curating Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit – Knowledge Commons, and Curatorial Practice with Hind Al Saad, Reham Mohamed & Sara Al-Afifi, VCUarts Qatar

   Host Raja Aderdor speaks with Hind Al Saad, Reham Mohamed, and Sara Al-Afifi in a conversation that explores the curatorial process behind Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit. Together, they reflect on how concepts such as transmission and knowledge commons are translated into an exhibition framework, and what it means to curate within a space shaped by collaboration and shared authorship. Tasmeem Doha is a biennial organized by VCUarts Qatar and brings together designers, artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners to explore critical questions in design and visual culture across the region and beyond. The discussion moves across questions of curatorial practice, examining the role of the curator as both facilitator and mediator. It explores how ideas are developed, negotiated, and shaped across contributors, and how curatorial decision-making operates as an evolving process, responsive to context, dialogue, and the shifting nature of knowledge production. The conversation also situates Tasmeem Doha within a broader design and cultural landscape, considering how biennials and design platforms can act as spaces for exchange, experimentation, and collective thinking. It reflects on how transmission operates not only as a theme, but as a method, connecting people, practices, and forms of knowledge across disciplines and geographies. This episode is in collaboration with Tasmeem Doha 2026: Transmit. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts, explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea social media channels or contact the team directly.

8. 

   2 Apr 2026

   Institutional Leadership, Political Art, and Museum Futures with Sebastian Baden, Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Germany

   Host Raja Aderdor speaks with Sebastian Baden, director of Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, in a conversation that explores the evolving role of cultural institutions today. Together, they reflect on how museums are rethinking their position in a rapidly shifting cultural and political landscape, and what it means to remain relevant, responsive, and critically engaged. The discussion moves across questions of institutional transformation, examining how exhibitions can act as spaces for dialogue, confrontation, and reflection. It considers the role of political art within museum contexts, the responsibility of cultural institutions in addressing global challenges, and how sustainability is approached not only environmentally, but also socially and structurally within programming and curatorial practice. The conversation also situates these questions within a broader geographic lens, reflecting on how European institutions are engaging with and building bridges toward the Global South. It explores how collaboration, exchange, and dialogue across regions can move beyond representation toward more sustained and reciprocal cultural relationships. The Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt is one of Europe’s leading venues for modern and contemporary art, the SCHIRN presents large-scale exhibitions, interdisciplinary programs, and public discourse that engage with both art history and current societal questions. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts, explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed production. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea social media channels or contact the team directly.

9. 

   19 Mar 2026

   Introducing Relay with Raja Aderdor

   In this introductory episode, we uncover the idea behind the podcast and what listeners can expect from future conversations. We also explore the meaning of the word relay and present the visual identity of the podcast designed by artist Vajo, whose artwork reflects the movement of ideas and collaboration at the heart of the project. Relay, a podcast from Clavis Aurea Podcasts, explores the people and processes behind publishing, art, and cultural production. Through conversations with people working across the cultural sector, the podcast looks at how ideas move from concept to physical form through books, exhibitions, and printed matter. At its core, Relay focuses on the creative chain behind cultural work. Writers, editors, designers, photographers, publishers, printers, and institutions each play a role in bringing ideas into the world. Interested in collaborating or being part of the podcast? Reach out through the Clavis Aurea social media channels or contact the team directly.

Contact Relay

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.