Transcript Slide 1
The Art of Arabic Calligraphy The Art of Arabic Calligraphy The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Discussion Questions * What are the guidelines and aesthetic principles of Islamic art? * What types of objects are art in Islam? * What is the significance of calligraphy and geometric shapes in Islamic art? The Art of Arabic Calligraphy How Writing Became an Art Form: • The Revelation of the Qur’an as an inspiration • To glorify the words of God – visually as in recitation • The discouragement of representing human figures The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Development of Arabic Script: •As a writing system, Arabic appeared in early 5th Century. • The revelation of Islam had a major impact on the development of Arabic language & Script. The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Iranian Helmet Candlestick The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Calligraphy Applications: • To Glorify & Beautify God’s words • As a form of worship • As a spiritual activity • Artistic • Decoration • Identity The Art of Arabic Calligraphy http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Tugra_Mahmuds_II.gif The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Tughra’ was used by the Ottoman sultans as their signature. It was supposed to be impossible to imitate. Signature of an Ottoman Sultan Basmallah in Tughra’ style The Art of Arabic Calligraphy See a tughra (tugra) in action http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm ons/9/96/Tugra_Mahmuds_II.gif The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Pictorial Calligraphy: words are manipulated and structured into the shape of a human figure, a bird, an animal or an object. Prayer in a form of a Lion “Ali bin abi Talib, the victorious lion of God, may God be pleased with him" Prayer in a form of a human figure “I testify that there is no god, but God and Muhammad is a messenger of God" The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Calligraphy in the shape of a mosque The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Love & Peace by Fayeq Oweis, 2003 The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Arabic Calligraphy in Mosques The Dome of the Rock Minbar & Mihrab - Mosque of University of Jordan The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Geometric Patterns Complex geometric designs/ intricate geometrical patterns Unity, Logic and Order Unending repetition is believed by some to be an expression of the infinite nature of God. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/h d/geom/hd_geom.htm The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Dome of the Rock The Art of Arabic Calligraphy The Art of Arabic Calligraphy Now you get to try your hand at Islamic art…