The Art of Arabic Calligraphy
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Transcript of The Art of Arabic Calligraphy
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: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: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: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.
Basmallah in Tughra’ style Signature of an Ottoman Sultan
The Art of Arabic Calligraphy
See a tughra (tugra) in action
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/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 human figure“I testify that there is no god, but God
and Muhammad is a messenger of God"
Prayer in a form of a Lion “Ali bin abi Talib, the victorious lion of God, may God be pleased with him"
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 MosquesArabic Calligraphy in Mosques
Minbar & Mihrab - Mosque of University of JordanThe Dome of the Rock
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/hd/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…