This past Monday, March 28, we visited the Islamic Arts College near AMIDEAST (about a two minute drive) and got to see students in action and even try some of our own artwork!
The afternoon started out with a presentation by Minwer, the Dean of Students, who we learned later is actually very famous in the field for his ideas and for this particular college, because it was the first school to offer undergraduate degrees in Islamic Arts & Architecture. He was a rather small, smartly dressed man, who spoke with a somewhat British and French accent. He laid out general information about the college (concentrations, history, projects) but he was more interested in imparting to us the philosophy behind Islamic arts.
...like beautiful bronze lamps.
After Minwer's presentation, we were free to hang out with the students as they were working on their projects, get our names done in calligraphy, and try a little calligraphy of our own (it went terribly, but it was fun to see how it's done properly.)
The afternoon started out with a presentation by Minwer, the Dean of Students, who we learned later is actually very famous in the field for his ideas and for this particular college, because it was the first school to offer undergraduate degrees in Islamic Arts & Architecture. He was a rather small, smartly dressed man, who spoke with a somewhat British and French accent. He laid out general information about the college (concentrations, history, projects) but he was more interested in imparting to us the philosophy behind Islamic arts.
Know the truth. Love the beautiful. Will the good.
Soul. Spirit. Body.
Supernatural. Time. Space.
These are the prerogatives of man. Minwer stressed that these principles transcend traditions, that Plato was the first to set them down in writing, and that all faiths (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, monotheistic, polytheistic, non-theistic) recognize them and reflect them in their own art.
He went on to give us a short lesson in sacred geometry. The conversation got very philosophic very quickly. Having at one point been a philosophy major and having done a project on sacred geometry back in high school, I was enthralled and furiously scribbling notes in my field notebook.
In brief, he talked about the science of symbolism. Light is essence, water is substance, and a sunset over an ocean is completion. The circle is infinite, representing perfection, unity and therefore heaven, and is the most perfect shape in sacred geometry. The square is man on Earth. Therefore squaring the circle represents the divine man, the point at which man and God are one. Ratios are organic and based in nature. (Just like Gaudi and la Sagrada Familia! See, connections!)
Traditional 2D drawings are found throughout world traditions (Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, ancient Egypt) not because the artists weren't skilled but because three dimensions is the work of the spirit.
Islamic art is not just about beauty, but each piece has a function, a practicality...
After Minwer's presentation, we were free to hang out with the students as they were working on their projects, get our names done in calligraphy, and try a little calligraphy of our own (it went terribly, but it was fun to see how it's done properly.)
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| Illumination is very very intricate geometric designs. Seriously, it's so small and detailed that I would not have believed it was done by a human hand unless I had seen this girl doing it! |
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| Muhannad doing my name in calligraphy! He was very welcoming and let us all try out our own calligraphy. |
We were also shown Minwer's office/general college hang-out spot that is completely designed and decorated according to Islamic art and architecture. It was possibly one of the most beautiful and calming rooms I have ever been in. I didn't take pictures, unfortunately, but they offered to have us come over again and I am planning on it!
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