Visual Dhikr™
returning to remembrance



The Hidden Art of Islam

At the British Museum, a collection of artefacts from the Muslim world is on show which tells the history of a journey to Mecca always forbidden to non-Muslims. It features a succession of examples of the rich visual language of Islamic culture past and present, artwork created to reflect the powerful experience for any Muslim making the Hajj pilgrimage to Islam's most sacred city and its most sacred building, the Ka'aba. However, an artform not usually associated with Islam is also on show, a form many believe is prohibited by Islam - portraits, depictions of human figures and whole tableaux showing pilgrims performing the most important pillar of the Muslim faith.

In this documentary, Rageh Omaar sets out to find out that if human depiction is the source of such controversy, how is it that the art displayed here shows a tradition of figurative art at the heart of Islam for century after century? He explores what forms of art are acceptable for a Muslim - and why this artistic tradition has thrived - in the hidden art of the muslim world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01dczjj

Thu 15 Mar 2012
21:00
BBC Four

Sunday, March 11, 2012 |
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Saif Gaddafi’s Islamic art museum at a standstill


Libyan conflict has halted construction on—and acquistions for—new museum in Tripoli due to open in September.

TRIPOLI. The Libyan conflict has halted the creation of a museum of Islamic art in Tripoli, due to open in September to celebrate the anniversary of Colonel Mua­m­mar Gaddafi’s rise to power. The acquisition of exhibits was underway and pieces are known to have been bought from London auction houses over the past three years.
As patron of the department of archaeology, Saif Gaddafi, the son of the Libyan leader, was supporting the project. He is thought to have wanted a collection to show international guests. It was due to be housed in a summer palace built for the Ottoman Yusuf Pasha in the 18th century.
Hafed Walda, a Libyan who advises the country’s department of archaeology on cultural projects, including the new museum, said work on the project had now stopped.
Walda was unwilling to disclose which pieces had been bought for the collection and where they were currently being stored. He said, however, that works are no longer being purchased. He added that the future of the collection is uncertain but hoped it could also incorporate objects from Libya’s own history, which includes the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna.
“It’s important that locals begin to connect their cultural heritage with their national identity, rather than viewing the imperialist influences as incompatible with modern politics,” he said.
The Tripoli War Museum, designed by Camillin Denny Archi­tects, was also scheduled to open this year. Walda said that it remains in “the planning stages”. Tripoli’s National Museum has not reported looting or damage since the outbreak of conflict.
Riah Pryor
source

Monday, May 02, 2011 |
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Faith In The City: The Mosque in the Contemporary Urban West


A two part investigation into the spatial and social role of faith buildings in the urban fabric of the "Western" world. With particular focus upon the social and spatial role of the mosque, the symposium brings an international array of speakers to the UK to take a keen look at the vital questions raised by the banning of minarets in Switzerland and US outrage at proposals for Park51 - or the 'Ground Zero Mosque'. An exploration of the place of religious and minority identity within the cities of Europe and the USA, and the role architecture and design can take in negotiating this territory today.

Featuring a keynote lecture from Park51's designer, Michel Abboud, SOMA

Read more

Sunday, October 31, 2010 |
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Islamic Design House store opens in Jordan, stocks Visual Dhikr t-shirts


The new Islamic Design House store opens in Jordan this month at the Sweifia Mall. Stocking Visual Dhikr t-shirts and Silk Route Jilbabs/Abayah's. If you're in Amman, go check it out!


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Islamic-Design-House/141224181394



Saturday, October 09, 2010 |
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Jameel Prize Exhibit: A modern twist on traditional Islamic art

The works of nine artists short-listed for the Saudi-sponsored Jameel Prize have been exhibited in venues throughout the Arab world, underlining a new cultural collaboration between countries and boosting interest in contemporary interpretations of traditional Islamic art.

The exhibition was launched at London's Victoria and Albert Museum in July and has since travelled to Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and now Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Read more


Monday, October 04, 2010 |
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First Look Inside Park51


I'm loving the proposed designs for Park51, very strong sense of traditional geometric framework weaved into the architecture of the building.


source

Sunday, October 03, 2010 |
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Bangladeshi Calligrapher Mohammad Abdur Rahim


The blog and artwork of Bangladeshi calligrapher Mohammad Abdur Rahim.

Visit his blog

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 |
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