From 18th May to 3rd September 2006, as part of their “Middle East Now” programme, the British Museum (in partnership with Dubai Holding) mounted more than ninety examples of contemporary Middle Eastern calligraphy.
Inspired by the Qur'an
The exhibition included work by many highly regarded calligraphers working around the world including Nassar Mansour, Farhad Moshiri and Mohammed Abla. They gain inspiration from Persian poetry and the Qur’an. For Example, in Nassar Mansour’s “Kun”, ink and gold on paper, the word ‘kun’ is written in Kufic script. It refers to the very powerful phrase in the Qur’an: “and the day he [God] says “Be”, and t is” (Qur’an 2:117).
The exhibition concentrated mainly on art on paper but also featured other media such as oil on canvas, engraved porcelain and ceramics, bronze, earthstone and even sealing wax on cloth.
All the exhibits are included in the exhibition catalogue entitled “Word into Art Artists of the Modern middle East”. Written by Venetia Porter, with contributions by Isabelle Caussé, both curators at the British Museum, the catalogue was published to coincide with the exhibition.
What does the book do?
The book explores the work of contemporary Middle Eastern artists who are experimenting with Arabic script to find innovative ways to portray traditional images inspired by the Qur’an and Persian poetry.
In the Preface His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Executive Chairman of Dubai Holding said:
“Within the Middle East, the concept of a picture telling a thousand words is turned on its head. It begs a new question: how many images can a single word reveal?”
It is this question that the book tries to answer.
Development of the Museum’s Contemporary Middle Eastern Collection
In her Introduction Venetia Porter tells how the Museum’s collection is being developed. Art that exhibits a modern interpretation of Arabic calligraphy has been chosen rather than pieces reflecting more general styles of contemporary art.
One Common Theme
All the artists featured in “Word into Art Artists of the Modern Middle East” are united by a common theme: the written word displayed either through the contemporary media of photography or installation, or through the traditional format of calligraphy.
The book falls into four distinct sections: “Sacred Script”, “Literature and Art”, “Deconstructing the Word”, “Identity, History and Politics”. Each chapter examines the relationship between Islam and Arabic script from a different angle.
More than just a Catalogue
This book is more than just the catalogue of an exhibition. It is a beautifully presented volume that provides an informative introduction and guide to artists of the modern Middle East. The catalogue does full justice to the exhibition and takes it beyond the walls of the British Museum.
The book can be purchased from the British Museum book shop, in either hardback form - ISBN 0-7141-1163-6, or paperback form - ISBN 0-7141-1164-3.
